Macrofungal diversity in two conservation areas in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Fungi play a vital ecological role in Neotropical ecosystems, yet their diversity remains poorly documented, particularly in protected areas of Brazil. This study aimed to conduct the first comprehensive assessment of macrofungal diversity along four trails located in the Chapada Diamantina National Park and the Serra do Conduru State Park, both in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. From the 266 collected macrofungal specimens, 74 representative samples were selected at the order level for molecular identification by sequencing. Taxonomic identification revealed specimens within two phyla, eight orders, 30 families, and 42 genera, with Basidiomycota being predominant (72 taxa, 97%) and represented mainly by Agaricales (47 taxa, 65%), with Entoloma as the most common genus (10 taxa, 13.5%). Phylogenetic analyses confidently identified 17 species, each represented by a single specimen. Additionally, seven specimens were tentatively assigned as confer or affinis to known taxa, 48 specimens were identified only to the genus level, and two were classified at the family level. Notably, five species were recorded for the first time in the state of Bahia: Agaricus furfuripes, Cantharellus guyanensis, Cookeina speciosa, Mycena margarita and Neofavolus teixeirae, with A. furfuripes also representing the first record for Brazil. The findings highlight both the high diversity and the taxonomic knowledge gaps in these ecosystems, reinforcing the need for further morphological and molecular studies to validate potentially novel taxa. This study establishes a taxonomic inventory as an important baseline for the region and highlights the role of responsible tourism and environmental education in conserving macrofungal diversity in Neotropical protected areas.