A novel epiphytic habitat for Podabrella microcarpa sp. found in Goa

[Nandkumar kamat]

Among the paleotopical termitophilic agaric genera only the species
belonging to the Genus Podabrella in sensu Singer ( Termitomyces
microcarpus in sensu Heim) exhibit strictly epigeal fruitbody ontogeny.
Collections of Podabrella microcarpa have been made from the surface and
the scattered crumbs of the old fungal comb have been located as basal
associations. I am reporting a new and extraordinary epiphytic habitat
for this species from Goa. I collected the specimens from 3 m height on
Ficus benghalensis branches . Apparently the fungal comb fragments were
dispersed by the workers there. The collections showed variations from
the type species as recorded by Heim and Singer and has been tentatively
named as a P. microcarpa var. epiphyticus. A pure culture was readily
obtained from the context tissue on MEA. I would like to know whether
epiphytic habitat for Podbrella microcarpa/Termitomyces microcarpus has
been reported in any Asian or African country, so far?. Scanned pictures
of the specimens, habitat and habit of my collections could be sent if
anyone is interested.
-Dr.Nandkumar Kamat
Project scientist, Botany dept., Goa university