Uncovering Hidden Diversity: A Collaborative Fungi Survey at Bukit Dinding

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On October 13th, 2024, the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB) Mycology Special Interest Group (SIG) conducted a fungi survey at Bukit Dinding. A team of 10 participants spent over 5.5 hours exploring the tarmac route and the Senior Citizens Trail, covering a total distance of 6.7 kilometers. Despite surveying just a small section of the hill, we made 175 observations and confidently recorded 52 different species of fungi, with more still to be identified.

Before our survey, Bukit Dinding had only 12 observations of fungi on the iNaturalist platform, representing 10 species from 5 observers. Thanks to our group’s efforts, this number has now grown to 195 observations and 58 species, contributed by 9 observers (with many more still to be uploaded). The findings from this survey provide a snapshot of the incredible fungal diversity at Bukit Dinding, even in the more accessible areas of the hill.

Our results have been uploaded to the Bukit Dinding Fungi Survey Project on iNaturalist (Bukit Dinding Fungi Survey), and we hope that this inspires more people to observe and document the biodiversity of Bukit Dinding. During the survey, we also engaged with passersby, many of whom showed great interest in our work. This interest is a promising sign that awareness of Bukit Dinding’s natural value is growing, and it may encourage others to join us in future efforts.

Recorded Families, Genera, and Species
Our findings encompass a wide range of fungal families and genera, including:

Families/Orders/Genera:

  • Agaricaceae

  • Agaricales

  • Agaricus sect. Sanguinolenti

  • Boletaceae

  • Clathraceae

  • Clitocybe

  • Collybiopsis

  • Crepidotus

  • Cyanula (Entoloma Subg.)

  • Cymatoderma

  • Entoloma

  • Favolus

  • Geastrum

  • Gerronema

  • Gloiocephala

  • Hygrocybe (including Hygrocybe conica Complex)

  • Lentaria

  • Lentinus

  • Leucoagaricus

  • Marasmiaceae

  • Marasmius

  • Micropsalliota

  • Mycena

  • Oudemansiella

  • Pluteus

  • Polyporaceae

  • Roridomyces

  • Sphaerobolus

  • Stereum

  • Stropharia

  • Termitomyces

  • Thelephora

  • Trametes

  • Xanthagaricus

  • Xerocomellus

  • Xylaria

Species:

  • Conocybe tenera

  • Cookeina tricholoma

  • Cyathus striatus

  • Elmerina sclerodontia

  • Favolaschia manipularis

  • Fomitopsis cf. cajanderi

  • Geastrum mirabile

  • Hexagonia tenuis

  • Hymenagaricus splendidissimus

  • Lentinus sajor-caju

  • Leucoagaricus cf. lacrymans

  • Leucoagaricus cf. subpurpureolilacinus

  • Marasmius crinis-equi

  • Marasmius cf. elegans

  • Marasmius haematocephalus

  • Microporus xanthopus

  • Panus similis

  • Sanguinoderma rugosum

  • Schizophyllum commune

  • Trichaleurina javanica

  • Tylopilus cf. griseipurpureus

  • Xylaria flabelliformis

  • Xylaria furcata

Our survey contributes to the growing body of biodiversity data for Bukit Dinding and supports ongoing efforts to highlight the ecological importance of this urban green space. With each new observation, we are building a more comprehensive understanding of the fungi and other species that call Bukit Dinding home.

Highlights:

The “Joker” - current record of description is not found in FRIM or other local research institution publications. It has been reported to be found in SACF and Ulu Bendul Eco-Park in iNaturalist.

(Photo by: Jacqueline Low)

Entoloma Subg. Cyanula that was found growing on a male Artocarpus sp. seed pod

(Photo by: Luca Pilia)

Tylopilus cf. griseipurpureus - participants had a chance to perform a taste test to confirm its bitterness under the guidance of a mycologist.

(Left photo by: Loon Yit Hong / Right photos by: Gim Siew Tan)


Approximate 6-inch wide Cymatoderma sp.

(Left photo by: Loon Yit Hong / Right photos by: Gim Siew Tan)

Approximate 3-inch wide yellow Entoloma sp. growing in abundance amongst other Entoloma species.

(Photo by: Joseph Pallante)

Termitomyces sp. - known to be edible by locals.

(Photo by: Loon Yit Hong)

Red/orange staining Leucoagaricus sp. unidentified as per the 2017 Guide to the Larger Fungi of FRIM.

(Photo by: Gim Siew Tan)

Bioluminescent Favolaschia manipularis

(Photo by: Joseph Pallante)

Sphaerobolus sp. / Cannonball Fungi - only previously observed once on iNaturalist in the country.

(Photo by: Joseph Pallante)

A potential Leucoagaricus cf. subpurpureolilacinus - originally reported from China

(Photo by: Joseph Pallante)

Agaricus sp. with annulus and red guttation on the cap that transfers when handled.

(Photo by: Loon Yit Hong)

Agaricus Sect. Sanguinolenti growing in abundance on a slope amongst leaves and branches.

(Photo by: Loon Yit Hong)


Agaricus Sect. Sanguinolenti 

(Photo by: Luca Pilia)

Panus cf. similis 

(Photo by: Gim Siew Tan)

Blue-staining Xerocomus sp. with amber guttation at the base of the stipe.

(Photo by: Joseph Pallante)

Complex Hygrocybe conica / Blackening Waxcap

(Photo by: Loon Yit Hong)


Contributors 

Joseph Pallante (Author, Mycologist, and MNSSB Co-Coordinator)
Loon Yit Hong (Event Organizer and MNSSB Lead Coordinator)
Luca Pilia (Mycologist)
Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch (MNSSB)
Event volunteers: Jacqueline Low, Francesca Lim, Gim Siew Tan, Kevin Choong Chee Keong, Imran Muniem, Kho Wui Kiong
Hi, I'm Joe, a mushroom hunter, traveler, and photographer who shares his stories and photos of fungi. With a sharp eye for spotting different mushroom species and a passion for exploring their habitats, I offer readers a unique window into the world of mycology.

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