Diversity, phenology and distribution of Termitomyces species in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The mutualistic symbiosis between termites of the Macrotermitinae subfamily (Isoptera: Termitidae) and fungi of the genus Termitomyces (Basidiomycota: Lyophyllaceae) is of great ecological and socio-economic importance. Seasonal fruit bodies of the symbiotic fungi are regularly collected and sold in Côte d’Ivoire. However, there are very few studies on their diversity, phenology, distribution and especially the socio-economic scope of the fruit bodies of these fungi at a national scale. This study aims at (i) assessing the diversity of Termitomyces fruit bodies in Côte d’Ivoire and (ii) mapping their fructification areas through a determination of their spatiotemporal distribution according to a climatic and phytogeographic gradients. Using ethnomycological surveys all over the Ivorian territory, information was collected from rural populations on the fructification of Termitomyces and their socio-economic importance. Based on these surveys, sampling efforts of these fungi were properly structured and oriented. The results revealed a diversity of 16 species of Termitomyces, including 9 species new to Côte d’Ivoire and 2 probably new to science. Five species were found in the forest zone, nine in theGuinean savannah zone and four in the Sudano-Guinean zone. Termitomyces’s fructifications were observed throughout the year, with specific period for each species. All listed species are regularly consumed by populations. However, only Termitomyces letestui (Pat.) R. Heim and Termitomyces schimperi (Pat.) R. Heim are marketed on a relatively large scale.

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“…According to Flores et al (2011), many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have data on the specific diversity of macrofungi in the different types of plant formations to date. However, the study carried out on macrofungi has always focused on edible and/or ectomychorizial fungi (Koné et al, 2011;Léabo-Vanié et al, 2017;Koné et al, 2018). Macrofungi diversity was high in the three habitats sampled in CNF.…”

“…Except to the floristic characterizations, very little work has been done on the mycological flora of the CNF. Generally, in Côte d'Ivoire, previous studies carried out on macrofungi has been widely devoted to wild edible species (Koné, 2013;Koné et al, 2018;Yan & Tiébré, 2018), medicinal species (Soro et al, 2019) and ethnomycology (Kouassi, 2012;Soro, 2020). Moreover, studies relating to the interaction between the diversity and abundance of the macrofungi with the characteristics of the ecosystems which they ensure the balance remain very little provided (Kouassi, 2012;Vanié-Léabo et al, 2017).…”

The Longevity of Colonies of Fungus-Growing Termites and the Stability of the Symbiosis

“…These fruiting bodies release large numbers of sexual wind-dispersed spores into the environment [46] (Figure 1). The production of fruiting bodies on the termite mounds is a seasonal event and correlates with rainfall, the nuptial flights of the alates and the appearance of new termite workers [47,48]. The new workers appear when the Termitomyces of related, mature, termite colonies are fruiting.…”

On the origin of species in Termitomyces

“…About half of the African species (20 out of 38 species hypotheses) and approximately a third of the Asian species (17 out of 47 species hypotheses) could not be linked to a sequence obtained from a mushroom. Most species of Termitomyces produce mushrooms seasonally, usually correlated with the rainy seasons, and with alate production by the termites (Koné et al 2011, Koné et al 2018. Some species, especially the symbionts of the termite genus Microtermes and some African species of Macrotermes, seem to produce mushrooms infrequently or not at all (Johnson 1981, Wood and Thomas 1989, Darlington 1994, Korb and Aanen 2003, Nobre, Fernandes, et al 2011, van de Peppel and Aanen 2020.…”

“…In only two independent cases vertical transmission of the symbiont has evolved: via the male reproductive of the species Macrotermes bellicosus and via the female reproductive of all studied species of the genus Microtermes asexual fungal spores are carried in the gut (Johnson et al 1981, Johnson 1981, Korb and Aanen 2003. The production of mushrooms usually occurs during the rainy season which coincides with the production of the reproductives (alates) (Koné et al 2011, Koné et al 2018. There is a moderate degree of host-specificity between fungus-growing termites and Termitomyces, mainly on a generic level (Aanen et al 2002, Osiemo et al 2010).…”