Characterization and diversity studies of wild Ganoderma species. From selected Agro Ecological Zones in Nigeria.
Ganoderma species are macro fungi that belong to the family Polyporaceae with over 250 species. They are known to have curative properties against many diseases because potent bioactive substances. This study was conducted to assess the diversity of selected wild Ganoderma species across five ecological zones in Nigeria. Fifty Ganoderma fruit bodies were collected from 5 Eco zones namely: Sudan savannah (5) Derived savannah (13), Mangrove (9), Rainforest (11), Fresh water (12) using opportunistic sampling method. For molecular characterisation and identification: DNA extraction was done using Kit extraction protocol, PCR amplification using ITS 4 and ITS 5 primers, sequencing using cycle sequencing method, and construction of phylogenetic tree using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean. Sixteenanoderma species were identified morphologically, while twelve species were molecularly identified. Three of the twelve namely; G. resinaceum, G. lucidum, and G. sanduense are existing species, while nine of twelve namely; Ganoderma sp. MT534034.1, Ganoderma sp. 1 YD-2015, Ganoderma sp. HNLS1, G. enigmaticum, G. nasalanense, G. casuarinicola, G. weixiensis, G. knysnamense CMW 47755, and G. destructans are new records in Nigeria. The species found in sudan savannah were Ganoderma sp MT534034.1, and G. resinaceum while Ganoderma lucidum, G. sp HNLSI, G. sp. MT534034.1, G. enigmaticum, and G. resinaceum were found in derived savannah. Ganoderma sanduense, G. weixiensis, G. enigmaticum, and G. lucidum were found in the mangrove area. Fresh water zone had G. nasalanense, G. casuarinicola, G. saduenses, while G. nasalanense, G. knysnamense CMW 47755, and G. destructans were found in the humid forest.
