A checklist of Mushrooms of Ayum Forest Reserve, Bono Region,Ghana

Study Extent

The Ayum forest 6.8026°N -2.6871°W. It covers an area of 112km2. The data collection covered the forest over the collection period.

Sampling

The samples for the dataset were collected by walking 1km transects. Samples were collected into paper bags which are identified in the lab after the collection expedition.

Quality Control

The data was Darwin Core formatted. The Global Name resolver was used to verify the scientific names and the taxonomic details of the species as well as derive the parent name usage and the scientific authorship. The NCBI Taxonomic Browser was used to obtain the taxon ID of species.

Method steps

1. Photographic images of the different mushrooms were captured using a high definition camera. Description was compared to literature. The following features were examined using hand lens and light microscopes: Cap: shape-margin and size in longitudinal section and vertical section, colour and ornamentation. Hymenophore (gill, or pores): shape from below, attachment, edge of gills, colour and spore print. Stipe: insertion, consistency, size, shape, colour and ornamentation. Flesh: thickness, colour, smell and taste (Obodai and Apetorgbor, 2001).

The dataset were generally identified to the genus level. Few species such as the Schizophyllum commune, Auricularia cornea and Daldina concentrica were identified to species level.

1. Termitomyces sp.
   common name: Anthill mushroom rank: genus
2. Cookeina speciosa
   common name: Cup fungi mushroom rank: species
3. Xylaria sp.
   common name: Dead Man's finger mushroom rank: genus
4. Schizophyllum commune
   common name: Common split gill rank: species
5. Auricularia cornea
   common name: Hairy Jew's Ear/Wood ear rank: species
6. Daldina concentrica
   common name: Cramp balls rank: species
7. Calvatia sp.
   common name: Puffball mushrooms rank: genus
8. Ganoderma sp.
   common name: Reishi rank: genus
9. Lentinus sp.
   rank: genus
10. Coprinus sp.
    rank: genus
11. Pleurotus sp.
    common name: Gilled mushroom rank: genus
12. Pleurotus tuber-regium
    common name: King tuber oyster rank: species
13. Marasmius sp.
    rank: genus
14. Volvariella volvacea
    common name: Straw mushroom rank: species
15. Gomphus
    rank: genus

The data was collected in the Ayum forest reserve in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. The forest lies on coordinates 6.8026°N -2.6871° W.