Estudio palinológico de macrohongos procedentes de la finca "La Franja" vereda Viancito, Vianí-Cundinamarca

Abstract

Colombia is a country with great biological diversity due to its geographical location, climate, and orography. However, studies on macrofungi are scarce. This scarcity arises from the lack of specialized taxonomists and insufficient resources for their identification, as the material used for taxonomic determination is primarily based on macroscopic characteristics, which do not allow for identification beyond the genus level. Therefore, it is essential to conduct studies on microscopic characteristics and incorporate them into the identification process, as this can provide more specific information about certain genera and species, enabling more precise identifications. The present research aims to describe the spore characteristics of macrofungi found on the “La Franja” farm, Viancito village, municipality of Vianí, Cundinamarca. A bibliographic review was conducted on the palynological characteristics that should be considered in macrofungi. Additionally, macrofungal samples were taken to the Macarena B campus of the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. In the laboratory, spore prints were prepared for each fungus, spore mounts were made, and photographic documentation was carried out. Finally, the palynological description of each macrofungus was completed. A total of 36 species were identified: 32 from the Basidiomycota division, primarily from the orders Agaricales, Russulales, Auriculariales, Boletales, Geastrales, and Polyporales, and 4 species from the Ascomycota division, within the orders Xylariales, Helotiales, and Pezizales. The main spore shapes found for the Basidiomycota division were round, subglobose, ellipsoid, oblong, and cylindrical, while for the Ascomycota division, the predominant shape was ellipsoidal. Regarding ornamentation, both divisions displayed smooth, echinate-spiny, and striate spores. As a result, a palynological catalog was developed based on the findings of this study, aiming to contribute to the identification of species present in Vianí. This is the first catalog for this municipality, further contributing to the understanding of macrofungal diversity in Colombia.