Diversity and ecology of poroid fungi (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) of the Gunib Plateau, Dagestan

Aim. Polypores are an integral part of forest ecosystems, but to date there is no sufficient information on diversity and ecology of this group of basidiomycetes in many mountain areas. The aim of this study is to reveal species composition and characterize substrate preferences of poroid fungi of the Gunib Plateau (the Republic of Dagestan, Northeast Caucasus, Russia). Material and Methods. All fungal specimens were collected by the authors during field surveys in 2018-2020, which were carried out within pine, birch, hornbeam, alder, aspen, and mixed forests as well as juniper woodlands. The identification of fungi was performed predominantly by a light microscopy techniques, but also by an analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nrDNA to verify specimens from Postia caesia-species complex. Results. A total of 73 species of poroid fungi from 43 genera and 7 orders of the class Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) have been identified in the territory of the Gunib Plateau within the Upper Gunib Nature Park. Among them, there are 29 new species for the Republic of Dagestan, of which 11 species are cited for the Caucasus for the first time. An annotated species list with detailed information on substrata, habitats, localities, and links to herbarium specimens (LE) is provided. Conclusion. The revealed species richness of polypores has expanded the current knowledge on the mycobiota of the Gunib Plateau and its links with plant communities. The range of leading genera (Antrodia s. l., Ceriporia, Gloeophyllum, Phellinus s. l., Postia, Trometes s. l.) is characteristic of the boreal zone and determined by the predominance of Pinus kochiana forests in the surveyed area.