Caracterización morfológica e histológica de macrohongos presentes en la finca “La Franja”, vereda Vianicito, Vianí-Cundinamarca

Abstract

Macrofungi are eukaryotic organisms that develop visible fruiting bodies and are essential in diverse ecosystems due to their heterotrophic nutrition and their ability to act as saprophytes, parasites or symbiotics. These fungi are mainly classified into the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota divisions. The taxonomic identification of these species is facilitated by their morphological and histological characteristics, such as the description of the type and parts of the fruiting body and the septate or coenocytic hyphae.

The objective of the present study is to carry out a morphological and histological characterization of the macrofungi present in the farm “La Franja”, located in the Vianicito village, municipality of Vianí, Cundinamarca, in an area of secondary forest of approximately 7 hectares. The research was carried out between April and November 2024 where 31 samples were collected, representing 27 species of macrofungi. The samples were processed in the neuroscience laboratory of the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, where histological sections were made to examine the microscopic characteristics of the species.

Morphological observations revealed a great diversity in the fruiting bodies, which adopted forms such as umbrella, bird's nest, stellate, cupuliform, among others. The fungi presented different types of hymenophores, including gasteroid, lamellar, porous and apothecial. Regarding their histology, septate hyphae were identified, however, they were mainly coenocytic, which vary between the two large groups of macrofungi studied: Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Fungi of the Ascomycota division presented thinner hyphae without fibulae, while those of the Basidiomycota division showed thicker hyphae, with the presence of fibulae and an average diameter of 3 microns. It was also evidenced that the predominant substrates for the growth of these fungi were lignic and terricolous substrates, with gregarious and solitary habits observed in several species. This work provides detailed information on the morphological and histological characters of macrofungi in the region, an area little studied in mycological terms.

From this study, a morphological and histological catalog was designed that includes photographs and detailed descriptions of the species identified. This catalog is a useful tool for the identification of macrofungi in the region and a significant contribution to the study of fungal biodiversity in Cundinamarca. In addition, this work highlights the importance of deepening the study of macrofungal species, contributing to the advancement of mycology in Colombia and promoting the conservation of knowledge about fungi. Additionally, the study highlights the need for further research and descriptions of macrofungi, especially in poorly explored areas, for the creation of precise taxonomic keys to facilitate species identification in the future.