Morphological and Ecological Characterization of Xylotrophic Fungi in Mangrove Forest Regions of Bangladesh

Sundarban (Mangrove), the largest tidal halophytic forest in the world lies a little south to the Tropic of Cancer between the latitudes 21°30'N and 22°30'N, and longitudes 89°00'E and 89°55'E. This forest is the greatest source of diverse xylotrophic fungi. In a survey program 20 species of xylotrophic fungi belongs to 13 genera were identified under seven families such as Polyporaceae, Ganodermataceae, Hymenochaetaceae, Fomitopsidaceae, Xylariaceae, Steccherinaceae and Gloeophyllaceae. The predominant genera were Ganoderma, Trametes and Inonotus. The maximum frequency (75%) was recorded for Daedaleopsis confragosa and 50% for Trametes elegans, Trametes conchifer, Polyporus sanguineus, Ganoderma curtisii and Irpex lacteus. The maximum density was 31.82% for Pycnoporus sanguineus which was found on the Sundari (Heritiera fomes) tree. This is the first detailed investigation on Xylotrophic fungi in mangrove forest regions of Bangladesh.