''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, the

Macrotermitinae The Macrotermitinae, the fungus-growing termites, constitute a subfamily of the family Termitidae that is only found within the Old World tropics. This subfamily consists of 14 genera and about 350 species and are distinguished by the fact t ...

, who enjoy an obligate

symbiosis Symbiosis (from Greek , , "living together", from , , "together", and , bíōsis, "living") is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasit ...

with the genus similar to that between ''

Atta Atta or ATTA may refer to: * Atta Halilintar, Indonesian YouTuber, singer and entrepreneur * ''Atta'' (ant), a genus of ants in the family Formicidae * ''Atta'' (novel), a 1953 novel by Francis Rufus Bellamy * Atta flour, whole wheat flour made f ...

'' ants and ''

Attamyces ''Leucoagaricus'' is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Several fungus-growing ants cultivate multiple species for food. The genus contains approximately 90 species. Taxonomy This group of mushrooms was first defined as a subgenus of ' ...

'' mushrooms. Despite this relationship, spore transfer is still accomplished mainly by shedding from mushrooms, which protrude from the termite mounds.

Characteristics

These mushrooms are edible for most people, and the larger species are a popular wild food where they occur. They include the largest edible mushroom in the world, ''

Termitomyces titanicus ''Termitomyces titanicus'' (common name chi-ngulu-ngulu) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. Found in West Africa (as well as Zambia and the Katanga Province of DR Congo), it has a cap that may reach 1 metre (3 ft) in diame ...

'' of West Africa and Zambia, whose cap reaches 1 metre (3.28ft) in diameter. These fungi grow on 'combs' which are formed from the termites' excreta, dominated by tough woody fragments. ''Termitomyces'' was described by Roger Heim in 1942. From 1955 to 1969 Arthur French worked in Uganda (as a hobby) on the subject of fungi and termites. Some scientific literature about these fungal species existed previously, but these texts failed to adequately discuss the relationship between termites and their fungal symbiotes, while the various edible varieties were merely termed "termite mushrooms." French conducted some investigations with the help of the elderly Baganda women who gathered termite mushrooms, and published his findings.

Culinary use

This genus is a popular seasonal delicacy in the Indian state of Goa. For about two weeks at the beginning of August every year, clusters of villagers dot the Goan roadside hawking the handpicked mushrooms. A spicy gravy known as "Tonak" is a popular method of preparation. Since ''Termitomyces'' mushrooms are difficult to mass produce, they command a high price. Mushroom_sellers

Species

, Species Fungorum accepted 47 species of ''Termitomyces''. # ''

Termitomyces albidus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' (Singer) L.D. Gómez (1995) # ''

Termitomyces aurantiacus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of Basidiomycota, basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily ...

'' (R. Heim) R. Heim (1977) # '' Termitomyces biyi'' Otieno (1966) # '' Termitomyces bulborhizus'' T.Z. Wei, Y.J. Yao, Bo Wang & Pegler (2004) # ''

Termitomyces citriophyllus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' R. Heim (1942) # ''

Termitomyces clypeatus ''Termitomyces clypeatus'' species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in Africa, it was formally described by Roger Heim in 1951. References Lyophyllaceae Fungi described in 1951 Fungi of Africa {{Agaricales-stu ...

'' R. Heim (1951) # ''

Termitomyces congolensis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' (Beeli) Singer (1948) # ''

Termitomyces dominicalensis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' L.D. Gómez (1995) # ''

Termitomyces entolomoides ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' R. Heim (1951) # ''

Termitomyces epipolius ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' (Singer) L.D. Gómez (1995) # '' Termitomyces eurrhizus'' (Berk.) R. Heim (1942) # ''

Termitomyces floccosus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' S.M. Tang, Raspé & S.H. Li (2020) # ''

Termitomyces fragilis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' L. Ye, Karun, J.C. Xu, K.D. Hyde & Mortimer (2019) # ''

Termitomyces fuliginosus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' R. Heim (1942) # ''

Termitomyces globulus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' R. Heim & Gooss.-Font. (1951) # ''

Termitomyces griseiumbo ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites, th ...

'' Mossebo (2003) # ''

Termitomyces heimii ''Termitomyces heimii'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. It has symbiotic relationship with termites. Described as new to science in 1979, it is found in India. The specific epithet ''heimii'' honors French mycologist Ro ...

'' Natarajan (1979) # '' Termitomyces indicus'' Natarajan (1976) # ''

Termitomyces infundibuliformis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Mossebo (2012) # ''

Termitomyces intermedius ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Har. Takah. & Taneyama (2016) # '' Termitomyces lanatus'' R. Heim (1977) # '' Termitomyces le-testui'' testui (Pat.) R. Heim (1942) # '' Termitomyces magoyensis'' Otieno (1966) # '' Termitomyces mammiformis'' R. Heim (1942) # '' Termitomyces mboudaeinus'' Mossebo (2003) # ''

Termitomyces medius ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' R. Heim & Grassé (1951) # ''

Termitomyces meipengianus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of Basidiomycota, basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily ...

'' (M. Zang & D.Z. Zhang) P.M. Kirk (2014) # ''

Termitomyces microcarpus ''Termitomyces microcarpus'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. An edible species, it is found in Africa and Asia, where it grows in groups or clusters in deciduous forests near the roots of bamboo stumps associated w ...

'' (Berk. & Broome) R. Heim (1942) # ''

Termitomyces narobiensis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Otieno (1966) # '' Termitomyces perforans'' R. Heim (1977) # ''

Termitomyces poliomphax ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' (Singer) L.D. Gómez (1995) # ''

Termitomyces rabuorii ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Otieno (1966) # ''

Termitomyces radicatus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Natarajan (1977) # ''

Termitomyces reticulatus ''Termitomyces reticulatus'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in southern Africa, it was described as new to science in 1990. It is associated with the termite species ''Odontotermes badius'' and ''Odontotermes tra ...

'' Van der Westh. & Eicker (1990) # '' Termitomyces robustus'' (Beeli) R. Heim (1951) # ''

Termitomyces sagittiformis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' (Kalchbr. & Cooke) D.A. Reid (1975) # '' Termitomyces schimperi'' (Pat.) R. Heim (1942) # '' Termitomyces singidensis'' Saarim. & Härk. (1994) # '' Termitomyces songolarum'' (Courtec.) Furneaux (2020) # ''

Termitomyces spiniformis ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' R. Heim (1977) # '' Termitomyces striatus'' (Beeli) R. Heim (1942) # ''

Termitomyces subclypeatus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' Mossebo (2003) # '' Termitomyces subumkowaan'' Mossebo (2003) # ''

'' Pegler & Piearce (1980) # ''

Termitomyces tylerianus ''Termitomyces tylerianus'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in Africa and China, it was first formally described in 1964. Fruit bodies The sporocarp (also known as fruiting body, fruit body or fruitbody) of ...

'' Otieno (1966) # ''

Termitomyces umkowaan ''Termitomyces umkowaan'' is a species of agaric fungus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Found in South Africa, it was described as new to science in 1889 by Mordecai Cubitt Cooke and George Edward Massee from collections made in Durban. Cooke ...

'' (Cooke & Massee) D.A. Reid (1975) # ''

Termitomyces upsilocystidiatus ''Termitomyces'' is a genus of basidiomycete fungi belonging to the family Lyophyllaceae. There are 30-40 species in the genus, all of which are completely dependent on termites to survive. They are the food source for a subfamily of termites ...

'' S.M. Tang, Raspé & K.D. Hyde (2020)

Other termite-associating fungi that may be confused with ''Termitomyces''

* Inedible fruiting bodies of the genus ''

Podaxis ''Podaxis'' is a genus of secotioid fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Species, which have the appearance of a "stalked-puffball", have a worldwide distribution, and tend to be found growing solitary or scattered on sandy soils, especially in arid ...

'', which may also grow from termitaria. ''Podaxis'' species can be easily distinguished from those of ''Termitomyces'' in that ''Podaxis'' fruiting bodies resemble a "stalked puffball," or an unopened

shaggy mane ''Coprinus comatus'', the shaggy ink cap, lawyer's wig, or shaggy mane, is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas. The young fruit bodies first appear as white cylinders emerging from the ground, then t ...

, while those of ''Termitomyces'' resemble a stereotypical mushroom or toadstool. * In

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, fruiting bodies of the unrelated, but edible ''

Macrolepiota albuminosa ''Macrolepiota albuminosa'', or termite mushroom, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Agaricaceae that is an obligate symbiont of termites. The fruit bodies (mushrooms) of the fungus are edible. It is found growing from termitaria in gras ...

'' may also grow from termitaria. ''M. albuminosa'' was once incorrectly placed within this genus as "''Termitomyces albuminosa''".

References

See Tobias Frøslev's ''Termitomyces'' pag

And an academic review of the relationship in Patterns of interaction specificity of fungus-growing termites and ''Termitomyces'' symbionts in South Africa Aanenet DK al BMC Evol Biol. 2007; 7: 115.

External links

Image of a Termitomyces
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2382732 Lyophyllaceae Agaricales genera