Assessment Notes

Justification

Pouzarella alissae is known from a single collection in old growth Coast Redwood forest, from an area where Entolomataceae have been intensively studied for close to 45 years. Normally a species like this would not be assumed to be rare; a fairly nondescript, recently described (2016) species from a single collection. However, taking into account the fact that Dr. David Largent has never found it while spending 45 years living and looking for Entolomataceae in this area, and has produced an extensive monograph on the Entolomataceae in western North America (Largent 1994). Based on this assessment, we consider the population to be less than 1,000 mature individuals and an assessment of D1 Vulnerable.

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Taxonomic notes

A recently discovered (2013) and described species (2016).

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Geographic range

Pouzarella alissae is known from a single location in coastal northern Humboldt County, California, USA.

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Population and Trends

Pouzarella alissae is a recently described species from old-growth Coast Redwood forest. This was the first record of a Pouzarella from coastal Humboldt County. Dr. David Largent; who has spent over 45 years in the area, researching, hunting and surveying for fungi, (and specializing in Entolomataceae) had never found a Pouzarella in this area.
Despite extensive mushroom surveys over the past 40 years in Redwood National and State Parks, Pouzarella alissae is currently known from a single collection, made in 2013. Despite many attempts to locate other populations in the area, it has not been found since.

Population Trend: unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

Pouzarella alissae is likely to be saprotrophic, deriving its nutrition by growing in duff, rotting bark and other debris under old growth Big-leaf Maple, (Acer macrophyllum), Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum).

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Threats

Fire suppression seems to have had a negative effect on Hygrocybe, Leptonia and other Entolomatoid (this includes Pouzarella) fungi in the old growth redwood forest.

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Conservation Actions

Research requires more surveys in the area to locate other locations of Pouzarella alissae. Research suggested to determine whether under-story burns will promote the growth of some of the rare Hygrocybe and Entolomataceae fungi (including Pouzarella) in the area.

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Source and Citation

Siegel, N. 2019. Pouzarella alissae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T95384557A95385534. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T95384557A95385534.en .Accessed on 4 February 2023

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• Country occurrence