Species Diversity of the Polyporaceae Fr. ex Corda Family in the Bichenek Forest of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijan)

The Bichenek forest is located within the territory of the Zangezur National Park named after academician Hasan Aliyev and is characterized by mixed forest ecosystems that are relatively little affected by anthropogenic influence, as well as by a diversity of altitudinal zones, which gives the study of the mycobiota of this area significant scientific importance. This article examines the taxonomic diversity and ecological distribution of fungi of the family Polyporaceae Fr. ex Corda, collected during expeditions conducted in the forests of Bichenek, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, between 2010 and 2024. The research revealed that the mycobiota of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic includes 8 species belonging to 4 genera (Lentinus Fr., Panus Fr., Cerioporus Quel., Trametes Fr.). Among them, one genus (Trametes Fr.) and 3 species (Cerioporus varius (Pers.) Zmitr. & Kovalenko (= Polyporus varius (Pers.) Fr.), Trametes cinnabarina (Jacq.) Fr. (= Pycnoporus cinnabarinus (Jacq.) P. Karst.), Trametes pubescens (Schumach.) Pilat) were recorded for the first time in the mycobiota of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The specimens were collected from decaying wood and forest substrates, identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and preserved as herbarium samples. These species are saprotrophic fungi that play an important role in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling. This study emphasizes the ecological significance of Polyporaceae fungi in maintaining forest ecosystem health and provides new data on fungal biodiversity in the mycobiota of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.