Abstract:

Aims: Macrofungi hold significant ecological and socioeconomic value. To analyze the floristic composition and species diversity of macrofungi in the karst areas of southwestern China and clarify the influence of distinctive geomorphological features on their distribution, a comprehensive survey was conducted. The results are expected to provide a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of macrofungal resources in the areas. 

Methods: Over a seven-year period, 12,451 macrofungal specimens were collected from Guizhou Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Yunnan Province using line transect and random survey methods. Species identification integrated morphological characterization and molecular phylogenetic analysis using ITS sequences. Taxonomic data were cross-referenced with literature to analyze floristic components and resource values. 

Results: A total of 1,505 macrofungal species (2 phyla, 10 classes, 27 orders, 118 families, 418 genera) were identified in the karst areas of southwestern China. Among these, 19 new species, 1 newly recorded species in China, and 1 new record for Guizhou have been published. Dominant families constituted 34.75% of total families (41/118), with Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, and Boletaceae exhibiting the highest species richness. At generic level, 17.46% of genera (73/418) demonstrated dominance, particularly Russula, Amanita, and Lactarius. 

Conclusions: The evaluation of macrofungal resource values identified 263 edible species, 176 medicinal species, and 237 toxic species, indicating considerable fungal diversity in this region. Floristic analysis revealed cosmopolitan distributions predominate at the family level (54.24%), while higher biogeographic diversity was observed at the genus level.

Key words: macrofungi, karst landform, resource type, floristic division, biodiversity