Microhabitat of Totolcozcatl mushroom [Entoloma abortivum (Berk. & Curtis) Donk, Basidiomycotina] for restoration in the cloud forest

Resumen

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Objective: to characterize the microhabitat and requirements of Entoloma abortivum, which is considered as a wild fungus (known as Totolcozcatl, in Nahuatl), and as a non-timber forest resource in the cloud forest.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: E. abortivum is used for food (as a mushroom); it has ecological, cultural and economic importance for rural communities. Their non-regulated collection has led to depletion and over-exploitation in the mountanous cloud forest of Xaltepuxtla (Puebla) Mexico. Habitat characterization of the fungus, which it requires for development and reintroduction is presented. Sensors for temperature and relative humidity were placed in each site determined in the field visits, at the depth of emergence of the carpophores, in order to record these microclimate variables. These sensors were used before and during the whole period of development of the fungus in two seasons, 2016–2017 and 2017–2018; pH and substrate temperature sensors were also used.

Results: the surrounding plant composition, site-specific shade density and soil-substrate chemical characteristics were described. The emergence of carpophores occurred during the winter when the microenvironmental temperature was recorded between 15.8° and 17.5°C, relative humidity between 64%–67%, shade density 93.6%. In the substrate, temperatures fluctuated between 8.5°C and 14°C in the same period; the pH of the substrate, between 5.0–5.5; Chemical characteristics and base-type of the bamboo stem, leaf litter; tillers from decaying grasses, and rotten pieces of jonote are other conditions for the development of this fungus.

Limitations/ Implications of the study: female collectors identified and delimited the emergency sites of the fungus in the field visits. The capabilities of these female collectors are based on morphological traits, and they reach identification up to the level of species.

Findings/ Conclusions: this is the first site-specific characterization of the native habitat of the Totolcozcatl mushroom (Entoloma abortivum).