Additions to the List of Polypores to India

Five species of the pileate polypore fungi, Ganoderma ungulatum (Polyporales, Ganodermataceae), Gloeophyllum odoratum (Gloeophyllales, Gloeophyllaceae) Heterobasidion abietinum (Russulales, Bondarzewiaceae), Osmoporus mexicanus (Gloeophyllales, Gloeophyllaceae) and Oxyporus ravidus (Hymenochaetales, Schizoporaceae) are described and illustrated on the basis of basidiocarps collected during the rainy season of years 2015-2017 from different parts of Doda district (Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India). Of these, the first four species are being described and illustrated for the first time from India, whereas Oxyporus ravidus is a new record for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Being the key wood decayers, these fungi grow in association with both broad-leaved as well as conifer tree species. Of the species described, the basidiocarps of Ganoderma ungulatum were collected from Quercus sp., whereas rest of the four species were growing in association with gymnospermous wood. Among the five species described presently, Heterobasidion abietinum is a host specific polypore that grows only in association with wood of Abies spp. These polypores are responsible for different types of rot and play a significant role in the recycling of different types of material. Of the described species, Ganoderma ungulatum Heterobasidion abietinum and Oxyporus ravidus are reported to cause white rot whereas Gloeophyllum odoratum and Osmoporus mexicanus are responsible for brown rot.