Diversity and distribution of macrofungi (mushrooms) in the Mount Cameroon Region

This study was carried out to document the diversity and distribution of macrofungi in the Mount Cameroon Region. These were assessed at low and high altitudinal ranges in the four flanks of the mountain during the rainy and early dry seasons of 2010 and 2011. A total of 177 macrofungal species belonging to 83 genera and 38 families were recorded. Species richness was higher in the rainy seasons (134 species) than in the early dry seasons (89 species) and tended to decrease with altitude, with 116 and 112 species for low and high altitudes, respectively. Eighty-eight species were recorded only in the rainy seasons, 43 species in the early dry seasons only, and 46 species were common to both seasons. Sixty-five species were found only in the low altitude, 61 species only in the high altitude, and 51 species were common to both altitudes. Auricularia auricular was the most abundant species during the rainy seasons, while Coltricia cinnamomea was rare during the rainy seasons, and the most abundant during the dry seasons. Six of the 12 morpho-groups identified occurred across the sites, with the gilled fungi being the most frequent. Cyathus striatus was found only in Buea Town during the rainy seasons. The study established that macrofungal diversity is threatened in the Mount Cameroon Region and needs for conservation measures especially for edible and medicinal species.