 |
Timothy J. Baroni |
 |
D. Jean Lodge |
 |
M. Catherine Aime |
Preliminary report of the mycological
findings on Doyle’s Delight expedition, 18-30 August
2007.
Preface: The estimates provided here were
developed solely from field note books. The actual specimens
are still in Belize awaiting the clearance of permits and
transport back to our respective institutions for detailed
study and confirmation of field identifications using light
microscopy and other techniques. A one day delay in transport
from Doyle’s Delight via helicopter back to the Tropical
Education Center due to sever weather conditions and then
the subsequent approach of a second hurricane to the Belize
vicinity, disrupted our well devised plans for finishing
the permitting process. Therefore the transport of the collections
back to our respective institutions for examination had
to be delayed until the first weeks of October, until one
of us (DJL) could make a return flight/visit back to Belize
to finish the extraction process.
General observations: The weather on this
2007 expedition was more conducive for the fruiting of fungi
as compared to the 2004 expedition. We were able to locate
and prepare more specimens on this trip, which also yielded
a greater diversity of species as well, certainly many more
species than we encountered in 2004. We also were fortunate
to have a rust (Pucciniomycotina) specialist join us on
this excursion (MCA) and we therefore were able to provide
a first ever survey of these fungi for this part of the
Maya Mts.
Summary of preliminary results:
A. What we found. Four hundred and fifty-five (455) collections
of fleshy fungi (Ascomyetes & Basidiomycetes), rusts,
lichens and slime molds were obtained and documented with
digital photographs, field notes and in some cases tissue
samples for later DNA extraction and molecular systematic
investigations. We believe these collections represent approximately
188 genera and 402 species, but these conclusions must be
confirmed by studying the voucher collections. Because each
mycologist individually collected and documented as many
samples as possible each day, there is some duplication
in collecting and in some instances we have documented the
same species more than once. That overlap appears to be
about 10%, thus our preliminary count for genera and species
may eventually be reduced by that amount, i.e., to between
350-370 species and 160-170 genera.
B. Our best guess as to what the significant findings will
be.
1. We believe we may have discovered at least 12 new species
on this trip, and that number could easily be higher.
2. We are fairly confident that we have collected at least
10 species of rusts that will be first reports of these
plant pathogens for Belize. We have documented the first
record of the order Helicobasidiales in Belize, including
pathogens important in Biocontrol.
3. We also believe that we have documented at least 15 species
of fleshy fungi that are clearly new reports for Belize.
 |
 |
Unidentified sp. |
Mycena sp. |
 |
 |
Armillaria tabescens,
a tree pathogen
|
Coprinus disseminatus |
 |
Sharon Matola with mushroom
named after her: Arthromyces matolae |
The authors acknowledge National
Geographic Society contributing support to the
expedition.
Pictures: Sharon Matola.
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