Ramshaj, Q., Rusevska, K., Karadelev, M. & S. Tofilovska. (2024). Diversity and Distribution of Macromycetes on the Territory of Kosovo. 12th International Mycological Congress (IMC12). 11-15 August 2024 Maastricht, The Netherlands. (ID 596).

Abstract

As a diverse group of organisms, fungi play a key role in ecosystems around the world. The fungi in the territory of Kosovo had been scantily known, and this research marks the first comprehensive study on the diversity, biogeography, and ecology of macromycetes in this area. The study was carried at 74 localities in different parts of Kosovo in the period between 2017 and 2022. A total of 631 species have been recorded, majority belong to the phylum Basidiomycota (549), while 82 species belong to the phylum Ascomycota. The study has revealed occurrence of 463 species previously unknown for the mycobiota of Kosovo. In addition to the new knowledge on the number of macromycetes in Kosovo, knowledge on ecological features of species, i.e. the type of habitats and possible mycorrhizal partners has also been expanded. A rare species have been identified, as Microstoma protractum, Poronia punctata, Sarcosphaera coronaria and Zeus olympius in phylum Ascomycota. Within phylum Basidiomycota, noteworthy species are: Amanita dryophila, A. lividopallescens, Aspropaxillus giganteus, Butyriboletus pseudoregius, B. regius, Byssomerulius hirtellus, Cerioporus leptocephalus, Hericium cirrhatum, H. coralloides, H. erinaceus, Imperator luteocupreus, I. rhodopurpureus Pachykytospora tuberculosa, Phyllotopsis nidulans and Rubroboletus satanas. The aforementioned species have been selected as noteworthy, rare or endangered in Kosovo, and their distribution and ecology have been elaborated in detail. Most of these species are protected in the neighboring countries and in Europe. As a result of the current research, a collection of dry specimens of macromycetes has been established, deposited in private herbarium RQPC.