Itanagar, Jan 10: In a significant addition to the state’s biodiversity records, a small saprophytic mushroom identified as Parasola plicatilis (Curtis) Redhead, Vilgalys & Hopple, commonly known as the Pleated Inkcap, has been documented for the first time from Arunachal Pradesh.
The mushroom was observed at the experimental farm of ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longding. The specimens were initially noticed and collected by Dr Tilling Tayo, Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Animal Science). The field observation and photographic documentation were subsequently communicated to Dr Deep Narayan Mishra, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Pathology), who confirmed the species based on distinctive morphological features such as a strongly pleated grey cap, a slender and fragile stalk, and non-deliquescent gills.
Parasola plicatilis is a saprotrophic mushroom characterized by its extremely delicate, paper-thin cap and a very short life span, often lasting less than 24 hours. Although non-edible and of no commercial value due to its fragile structure and ephemeral nature, the species plays a vital ecological role. It decomposes leaf litter and organic residues through the secretion of extracellular enzymes, thereby contributing to nutrient mineralization, carbon cycling, and the availability of essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Scientists noted that the presence of this mushroom indicates a biologically active soil system, supporting healthy microbial communities and reflecting favourable soil fertility under moist, organic-rich conditions. Such organisms are crucial for maintaining soil organic matter dynamics and sustaining ecosystem productivity.
While P. plicatilis has been reported from various regions of India and other parts of the world, there are no well-documented published records confirming its earlier occurrence in Arunachal Pradesh. Based on currently available information, the present observation is therefore considered the first field-level record of the species from the Northeastern state.
The discovery highlights the rich yet underexplored fungal biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and underscores the importance of systematic and incidental documentation of flora and fauna during routine field-based observations and scientific surveys.