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Bondarzewia kirkii J.A. Cooper, Jia J. Chen & B.K. Cui

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Scientific name
Bondarzewia kirkii
Author
J.A. Cooper, Jia J. Chen & B.K. Cui
Common names
 
IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Russulales
Family
Bondarzewiaceae
Assessment status
Published
Assessment date
2019-07-26
IUCN Red List Category
LC
Assessors
Leonard, P.L. & Cooper, J.A.
Reviewers
Mueller, G.M.

Assessment Notes

The content on this page is fetched from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/154616396/154618102

Justification

Bondarzewia kirkii is associated with beech and appears to be present in most of the major forests that have retained a healthy population of mature trees. 

While large and easily detected, because of the broad distribution of its host there are probably many unrecorded sites. It is estimated that there are up to 500 sites distributed throughout its range, each with a small number of individuals, resulting in an estimation for the number of mature individuals to be up to 3000. There are localised threats to the habitat, but overall the habitat is stable.  

It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

Geographic range

Bondarzewia kirkii is a New Zealand endemic, occurring on both main islands, found in most major concentrations of beech (Nothofagaceae) forests. It has been collected from January through March, significantly earlier than most other macrofungi in New Zealand.

Population and Trends

There have been thirty records of Bondarzewia kirkii spread over both islands of New Zealand and it is present in most of the major concentrations of beech forest. There have been increasing records in the past 5 years, but these reflect increasing survey effort rather then an increasing population of the species. The greatly increased number of recorders using the i-naturalist app on this showy fungus is the main cause of the increase.

While large and easily detected, because of the broad distribution of its host there are likely many unrecorded sites. It is estimated that there are up to 500 sites distributed throughout its range, each with a small number of individuals, resulting in an estimation for the number of mature individuals to be up to 3000. There are localised threats to the habitat, but overall the habitat is stable.

Population Trend: stable


Habitat and Ecology

Bondarzewia kirkii is a parasitic fungus that fruits on the roots of beech trees throughout New Zealand. It appears to be long lived and to fruit on mature trees. It only has been collected from January through March, significantly earlier than most other macrofungi in New Zealand.

Threats

Beech forests are almost all protected in New Zealand through designation as national park or scientific reserves. As such they are not under threat from land use change. Many of these forest have been logged in the past and the distribution and frequency of the fungus may be related to the age structure of the forest. The quality of many forest habitats is however deteriorating due to selective grazing by feral animals, notably deer and pigs. This has affected regeneration in some areas. Increasing periods of intensive drought, and tree windfall resulting from stronger winds, seem to primarily affect older trees that are the hosts for this fungus.

Conservation Actions

Recognition of this fungus in the management plans for National Parks might help ensure its long term security.

Use and Trade

Sporocarps of the species are occasionally collected in error, by people mistakenly assuming it is an edible Laetiporus.

Source and Citation

Leonard, P.L. & Cooper, J.A. 2019. Bondarzewia kirkii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T154616396A154618102. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T154616396A154618102.en .Accessed on 3 February 2025

Country occurrence