Abstract
Tropical regions are the hotspots of biodiversity for most groups of organisms. This is also a fact for the majority of fungi including earthstars (Geastrum, Basidiomycota), a well-known and well-studied genus of gasteromycetes in the temperate zone.
In Panama, which is in one of the main centers of biodiversity, a minimal attention has been paid to earthstars until now. After our two visits in the country, it is evident, that earthstars are very abundant and diversified in specific habitats in this region.
Six species of earthstars are known from Panama according to the literature. However, this number is obviously underestimated when considering our preliminary results.
The species diversity of earthstars in Panama thus requires a closer attention.