This monograph describes the coprophilous mushrooms of the Indian state of Punjab and provides information on their diversity and ecology. The compilation brings out an incredible diversity of these mushrooms growing in various natural dung habitats of Punjab and gives an insight into their growth pattern and their relevance to human welfare and the sustenance of our ecosphere.
The book is an in-depth, user-friendly treatise of dung mushrooms, featuring six families of the order Agaricales covering common and some rare and endangered species, some of which are described and illustrated for the first time. It is a compilation of the taxonomically useful information gathered by the authors through field surveys and macroscopic and microscopic observations. During the compilation of the book, the main emphasis has been to make it user-friendly for students, researchers and others interested in the study of the taxonomy and ecological diversity of these mushrooms. Using easily identifiable characteristics and keys, the authors provide amateur mushroom enthusiasts and professional mycologists ample information about their ecological aspects, the dung type on which they grow and all other taxonomically relevant features so as to distinguish these from other closely allied mushrooms. In the book, the description of each taxon is accompanied by a detailed illustrated account and field photographs highlighting the important features. Taxa are arranged as per their segregation in the keys and at the end subject index has been provided.