Revisiting species concept in Pleurotus, ThE oyster mushroom

The mushroom genus Pleurotus (Fr.) Kumm. is widely distributed throughout the world and is of commercial importance as it comprises certain edible species that have been exploited in the international mushroom trade. The taxonomy of this genus is confusing as the species nomenclature may be based on host, morphology, microscopic characters, phylogenetic analysis based on various isoenzymes or DNA based markers or interbreedability. The review discusses the present status of the species concept in this mushroom keeping the advances in taxonomy using diferent morphological, biochemical and molecular characters.