Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have a worldwide distribution. However, the ecology of tropical ECM fungi is poorly documented, limiting our understanding of the symbiotic associations between tropical plants and fungi. ECM Basidiomycete diversity was investigated for the first time in two tropical rain forests in Africa (Western Upper Guinea) and in Asia (Western Ghats, India), using a fragment of the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA gene to type 140 sporocarps and 54 ectomycorrhizas. To evaluate taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic analyses were performed, and 40 sequences included from identified European specimens were used as taxonomic benchmarks. Five clades were recovered corresponding to six taxonomic groups: boletoids, sclerodermatoids, russuloids, thelephoroids, and a clade grouping the Amanitaceae and Tricholomataceae families. Our results revealed that the Russulaceae species display a great diversity with several putative new species, especially in Guinea. Other taxonomic issues at family/section levels are also briefly discussed. This study provides preliminary insights into taxonomic diversity, ECM status, and biogeographic patterns of ECM fungi in tropical two rain forest ecosystems, which appear to be as diverse as in temperate and boreal forests.

A total of 13 species belonging to 10 genera in 9 families collected from Pune and Western Ghats of Mahabaleshwar and Mulshi have been described. Among them, Amanita flavofloccosa is being repoted for the first time from Western Ghats. The remaining species are being reported for the first time from Maharashtra state. Further, 14 species already reported from Maharashtra were also collected from different regions in the present study. In addition, a checklist of gilled mushrooms of Maharashtra is provided on the basis of published reports. A total of 178 species in 68 genera (including 21 new species and two new genera Chlorolepiota and Singerina) belonging to 23 families and 5 orders (Agaricales, Boletales, Cantharellales, Polyporales and Russulales) have been described from Maharashtra. Twenty six new species and 7 new varieties that are contravening particular Articles of the Code are excluded.

Panus natarajanus sp. nov. from the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, is described, illustrated and discussed along with P. velutinus, P. tephroleucus, P. ciliatus, P. hookerianus, Lentinus fasciatus, L. concentricus, and L. megacystidiatus. Lentinus alpacus is re-allocated to Panus as P. alpacus comb. nov., and contrasted with P. parvus. A short description with illustrations is provided of L. concinnus, which is also newly reported from the Western Ghats. A synoptic key for all species of lentinoid fungi of the Western Ghats is provided.

The morpho-taxonomy of 15 agaric species belonging to Agaricales collected from dipterocarp forests of Western Ghats of Karnataka is briefly described, discussed and their geographic distribution in India is presented. Of these, Crepidotus payettensis is reported for the first time from India. Cyptotrama asprata, Hygrocybe acutoconica, H. alwisii, Oudemansiella furfuracea, Hypholoma subviride and Lactocollybia epia are reported for the first time from Karnataka State. The taxonomy of Oudemansiella furfuracea and Hypholoma subviride contravening to the current name in Index Fungorum is discussed. In addition, a checklist of agarics comprising of 121 species in 55 genera reported from Western Ghats of Karnataka is also provided on the basis of published sources. Overall, 132 species in 60 genera belonging to Agaricales, Polyporales and Russulales are presented in this paper.