Muscat : The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, represented by Oman Centre for Animal and Plant Genetic Resources (Mawarid), announced the discovery of new fungal species at a press conference on Wednesday.
The event coincided with the United Nations' International Day for Biological Diversity’ observed on May 22.
Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, made the announcement.
The event was attended by the research team responsible for the discoveries, officials from the scientific research, investment, and industry sectors, local community representatives, as well as school and university students.
The discoveries include three types of large fungi previously unknown to science, along with ten other fungi recorded for the first time in Oman and the Arabian Peninsula. These fungi were collected from various regions of the Dhofar Governorate in the fall of 2023 and identified using advanced laboratory technologies.
Among the newly discovered fungi, the most notable is an edible species locally known as Qumba (Photo A). This popular mushroom in Dhofar has been scientifically named Termitomyces dhofarensis. Another newly identified mushroom has been named Hymenagaricus wadijarzeezicus, inspired by its discovery location, Wadi Jarzeez in Dhofar.
The third new species is named Hymenagaricus parvulus, reflecting its distinct morphology. Additionally, some of the ten newly recorded fungi are known for their medicinal properties.
These discoveries result from a collaborative research effort initiated in 2018 between various governmental and private entities. They add to previous findings from 2022 and 2023, which documented five other large fungi species new to science.
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