Species diversity of Basidiomycota

Fungi are eukaryotes that play essential roles in ecosystems. Among fungi, Basidiomycota is one of the major phyla with more than 40,000 described species. We review species diversity from five groups different lifestyles or habitats: saprobic grass/forest litter, wood-decaying, yeast-like, ectomycorrhizal, and plant parasitic. Case studies Agaricus, Cantharellus, Ganoderma, Gyroporus, Russula, Tricholoma, lichenicolous yeast-like rust smut fungi used to determine trends discovery biodiversity. In each case study, number new published during 2009–2020 analysed rate discovery. Publication rates differ between taxa reflect states progress for genera. The results showed had highest publication past two decades, it likely this trend will continue next decade. parasitic basidiomycetes was low ten years, remained constant 50 years. also found establishment comprehensive robust taxonomic systems based on a joint global initiative by mycologists could promote standardize recognition taxa. estimated 54,000 be discovered 2030, estimate total 1.4–4.2 million globally. These numbers illustrate huge gap yet unknown Basidiomycota.