INTRODUCTION

MATERIALSAND METHODS

TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION

Figs-1-8

The are considered as one of the largest andrelatively well known ascomycetous fungi with worldwidedistribution (Pelaez , 2008; Hande and Hiwarale, 2013;Li , 2015). Xylariaceous members are characterised bytheir typical morphology, variation in their colour, size andshape (Lee , 2002,; Kujawa and Karasinski, 2007) . Mostof the members are saprophytic on wooden logs,litter and other dead twigs of angiospermic plants.Some of them are typically coprophyllous and fewof them are found associated with insect nests(Ming and Rogers, 2001; Fournier , 2011).During frequent field visits for the exploration ofmacro fungal communities in Maduguni forestregions of Chikmagalur district, Karnataka, someof the samples were collected on elephant dung. Inthe laboratory these samples were subsequentlyinvestigated, characterized and identified as

(Berk.)Fr.

Frequent field surveys were conducted to semievergreen forest of Chikmagalur, Maduguni forestlocality (13°21ʹ04.9ʺ N . 75°28ʹ32.1ʺ E) duringAugust to October 2017. The semi evergreen forestconsists of diverse flora representing species of

, , , , ,etc. which accounts for the major floral diversity inthe area. This forest region is a part of WesternGhats where the annual rainfall ranges between4000-6000 mm and relative humidity remainsaround 55% during summer and 99% duringmonsoon season (Aruna ., 2013). The fieldnotes on the fungal stroma gathered from theelephant dung with respect to morphology, size andcolour of the stroma and nature of substratum wererecorded. Photographs were also taken in theirnatural habitat. Specimens were carefully collectedwithout affecting the stroma and substrate.Collected samples were brought to the laboratorycarefully, hand sections were cut to study theanatomical characteristics and the size and shape ofperithecia, asci, ascospores and number ofascospores per ascus. Classical taxonomic work ofPande (2008) was consulted for the characterization

and identification of the investigated species.

Berk.) Fr., .Upsal.,Ser. 3 1: 129 (1851) .Stromata long solitary, branched (sometimes), 9.8-24.8 cm ×2-9 mm; stalked stalk 8-23.2cm; fertile part consisting of 4-6

Xylariaceae

et al.et al.

et al.

et al.

Poronia piliformis

Terminalia Tectona Bambusa Wrightia Ficus

et al

( Nova Acta R. Soc. ScientPoronia pileiformis

KAVAKA50: 78-79(2018)

K.J. Nandan Patel, SyedAbrar, Sunil Kumar and M. Krishnappa*

Poronia pileiformis (Berk.) Fr.-Anew report to Karnataka

Department of P.G Studies and Research in Applied Botany, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogha.Karnataka.Corresponding author Email: krishnappam4281@yahoo.com(Submitted on January 12, 2017;Accepted on March 20, 2018)

ABSTRACTA study was conducted in the forest regions of Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, India, to explore the diversity of macrofungi in Balehonnurforest regions. The rich canopy of forest favours the luxuriant growth of macro fungi. In the present investigation an interesting coprophilousascomycetes belonging to was noticed. Sporocarps were collected from elephant dung, analysed and characterized on the basis ofmorphological and microscopic characters.

Keywords:

Xylariaceae

Ascomycota, diversity, coprophilous, .Xylariaceae

Figs.1-8 :Poronia piliformis 1) Sprocarp in association with host;2) Sporocarps; 3) Broad head with ostioles; 4) V.S. of fertile head; 5) Bulgedstalkatthebase;6-7)Perithecia;8)Ascospores.

mm broad head on the top of the stalk; dark brown at the baseand whitish to pale yellow at the top with black pappilateostioles, smooth stroma becomes harder on maturity. Stipedark brown or completely black, 18-23 cm × 2-3 mm in size,bulged at the base deeply rooted into the substrate anddifficult to separate. Stroma solid, filled with cream colouredmatrix. Perithecia 460-1950 × 330-1065

rhead with ostiolar openings; aline,tapering towards the tip. Asci 44-90.5× 4−6 witheight ascospores each; ascospores arranged uniseriately withslightly overlapping ends, measuring 8.5−11 × 4−5.5

, ellipsoid, brown coloured, thick walled withmucilaginous sheath and straight germ slit.

Many reports are there regarding the occurrence of the genusoutside India (Szczepkowski ., 2016; Rogers,

1979;, Gloer and Truckenbrod, 1988). Rawla and Narula(1982) documented from Meghalaya,India on unspecified dung. Later on Latha and Manimohan(2012) reported on elephant dung from Keralastate. The presently examined fungus resembles in itsmorphological and anatomical characteristics with thetaxonomic details given by Rawla and Narula (1982) andLatha and Manimohan (2012). This is the first report of

from Karnatka. This fungus is fairly distributedon elephant dung in the forests of Karnataka and growing onelephant dung, along with some other coprophilous fungi.

Authors are thankful to The Chairman, Department ofApplied Botany, Kuvempu University Shankaraghatta forproviding lab facilities. We are thankful to Prof. J S Dargan,Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala forauthenticating the species.

μm, distributedthrough-out the fertile part, immersed within the globula

parapysis 2-5 μm wide, hyμm long

μm insize

Collection Examined:

REMARKS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Poronia et al

Poronia pileiformis

P. pileiformis

P.pileiformis

Poronia pileiformis found onelephant dung. Place of collection: Maduguni forest locality(13°21ʹ04.9ʺ N. 75°28ʹ32.1ʺ E), Chikkamagaluru district,Karnataka state, India. Date of collection: 10/10/2017.Collector: Nandan Patel K.J., Syed Abrar, Sunil Kumar andKrishnappa M. Herbarium samples has been deposited in thedepartmental herbarium, department of Applied Botany,Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta (Accession numberKUABMK-118).

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