BackgroundFungi have multiple uses in temperate areas of México, but an important decrease in the traditional knowledge of uses and customs of mushrooms becomes a fundamental issue for fungi conservation. However, only few studies quantify the traditional ethnomycological knowledge in México, and this study is the first quantitative report for Querétaro, a central state with both Otomí and Mestizo communities and a high fungi diversity.MethodsThe present study was conducted registering traditional knowledge on the use and consumption of mushrooms in three Hñähñu (Otomí) communities (Tesquedó, Xajay, and Tenasdá) in Amealco de Bonfil, Querétaro, México, between August 2013 and November 2014. We conducted a stratified sampling, where uses common Hñähñu and Spanish names, and eight quantitative variables that conform the “Edible Mushrooms Cultural Significant Index” (EMCI) were recorded from 100 informants. For the classification and ordination analysis of species and uses, we used multivariate techniques such as cluster, multidimensional scaling, and principal components (PC).ResultsThirty-three mushrooms species were registered, most of them used for consumption by households, few aimed for commercial purposes, one species is medicinal, another has veterinary, and other ludic uses (as a toy). The three species with the highest EMCSI were Amanita basii, Fistulinella wolfeana, and Lactarius indigo. Edibility was the main use detected in the survey, and people harvested mushrooms provided by the forest mainly during the rainy season. We observed that mushroom searching and collection are activities that strengthen the family ties and are crucial for the transfer of this knowledge through generations. Cluster analysis separates groups according to different values in EMCSI variables, and principal components ordinate the species by frequencies (PC1) and traditions (PC2).ConclusionsThe current state of knowledge in the studied communities is strong, especially among women, but with a tendency to disappear due to migration and lack of interest among new generations. Future quantitative studies are important to analyze tendencies of the traditional ethnomycological knowledge transferred to new generations.

Background. The indigenous and mestizo communities in Mexico have used Armillaria mellea as a non-timber forest resource, mainly as food; ecologically it is an abundant species in forests. For this reason, we establish A. mellea as a species with cultural importance and a high potential for the development of sustainable regional and ethnomycotourism projects.Methods. The field work was carried out in the Ñhöñho communities of Texquedó and Xahai, Querétaro; Mexico.Semi-structured surveys were applied to local specialists in collecting mushrooms. Species were identified at the taxonomic level. Participation-action workshops were held for the organization and development of ethnomycotourism events.Results. A total biomass of 107.11 kg of A. mellea was collected with the support of the "hongueros" (local mushroom collectors) during the rainy seasons of 2017, 2018 and 2019. A greenhouse-type solar dehydrator was designed to process the mushrooms with a minimum dehydration capacity of 30 and a maximum of 100 kg of fresh mushrooms; and value-added products were designed with edible wild mushrooms. On the other hand, tours and mushroom collections (edible and inedible) were designed with local specialists, academics and visitors; promoting and laying the foundations for the development of ethnomycotourism with an approximate economic income per year in each community of 700 to 1200 dollars. Finally, as a result of this project, the non-profit civil organization; Ethnomycology, Research and Community Development A.C. Conclusion. Mushrooms constitute the basis for the planning of regional sustainable projects, as means of revaluing traditional systems, and strengthening the local economy, as well as conservation and management under a biocultural approach.

Background The cultural importance assigned to biodiversity is a complex subject, its study has been developed from ethnobotany and ethnomicology, mainly. A new proposal to address cultural importance is from the biocultural key species. Therefore, integrating information on the knowledge and use of various biological groups, the species with the greatest cultural relevance were selected. Methods An index (BKSI: Biocultural Key Species Index) was integrated, which assesses the relevance based on general attributes associated with fauna, flora and funga. The study was carried out in the Náhuatl community called El Barco, Lolotla; in the Huastec Hidalguense region. Field work was carried out for two years (2018–2019) with 24 field trips. Percentage ethnographic method combined with snowball (10% of the population) were applied; and as the ethnographic tool multiple free listings (n = 50) were used. Results In total of 335 species associated to 537 traditional names in Spanish and indigenous language (Náhuatl) are reported, that belongs to different biological groups (fungi and plants; fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). The biocultural relevance degree was categorized respect to the obtained value in the index (BKSI); a representative set of each biological group was selected, being those with the highest biocultural relevance. Conclusions It is proposed that these species constitute a useful tool in the application of programs that promote the conservation of diversity from a biocultural approach; they may even promote the proper use of resources or biological restoration.