NEW RECORD SPECIES OF FAMILY LINTINACEAE FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

Phylum Basidiomycota is a common group of fungi that has worldwide distribution. It includes more than 22,244 species (Hawkworth et al., 1995). This phylum is large and divers, comprising of forms commonly known as mushrooms, boletus, puffballs, earthstars, stinkhorns, birds nest fungi, jelly fungi, bracket or shelf fungi, rust and smut fungi (Alexopolus et al., 1996). Members of Basidiomycota are characterized primarily by the production of sexual spores (basidiospores) that are produced on the surface of a basidium. Many members have septal structures called a clamp connection. No other group of fungi has these. Several members of Basidiomycota are well known plant pathogens, whereas others are important for their food value or because of scents, tastes, colours, and toxic properties of a wide variety of secondary products (Gallois et al., 1990). In contrast to more than 22,244 species reported from different parts of the world, only about 630 species have been reported from Pakistan (Ahmad et al., 1997). Gilgit-Baltistan area appears to be generally ignored by pervious workers despite that the climate is suitable for growth of Basidiomycota. The present report describes 2 new records of the members of the family Lintinaceae from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.