Exploring Urban and Suburban Biodiveristy: A Taxonomic Survey and Diversity Analysis of Macrofungi in Metro Manila and Rizal, Philippines

Macrofungi are a diverse group of fungi characterized by their visible fruiting bodies. They play a crucial role in the environment, contributing to nutrient cycling, decomposition, and plant-microbe interactions. However, our understanding of the diversity and ecology of macrofungi is still limited. This study aims to identify, characterize, and understand the specific aspects of the macrofungi diversity that have been discovered at the different study sites. The researchers selected different study locations within Metro Manila and Antipolo to survey and identify different species of macrofungi by observing their morphological characteristics and other traits such as taste and odor. The taxonomic survey of macrofungal species in selected areas showed that a total of 27 macrofungi species are classified under seven (7) taxonomic orders namely. Agaricales, Auriculariales, Hymenochaetales, Phallales, Polyporales, Telephorales, and Tremellales. Specifically, 12 of the specimens belong to Agaricales, six (6) to Polyporales, five (5) to Auriculariales, and one each to Hymnochaetales, Phallales, Telephorales, and Tremellales. This indicates that macrofungi species within the chosen urban and suburban areas are highly diverse and well-distributed, hence asserting the richness of macrofungi diversity in the Philippines. This research provides a comprehensive identification and analysis of the distribution of macrofungi species within selected study sites in Metro Manila and Antipolo, which could contribute to the existing knowledge about the diversity and distribution of macrofungi and serve as an extensive taxonomic framework for future macrofungal research within the Philippines. Further research is needed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the survey and identification of macrofungi specimens and produce a more thorough study on the said group of species.