Assessment Notes

Justification

This species is only known from Melimoyu Natural Reserve, in a region that has not received much survey effort. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately estimate the population size and so an accurate Red List category is not possible (although it could potentially qualify as Critically Endangered). Therefore, it is listed as Data Deficient.

---

Geographic range

This species occurs in Nothofagus forest in the Aysén region of Chile (the type collection at Melimoyu Natural Reserve).

---

Population and Trends

Geomorium furciae is only known from one locality in a Nothofagus dombeyi forest in the Aysén region of Chile (Melimoyu Natural Reserve). This is an easily recognizable species but can be easily overlooked, so it could be very rare or it could be being missed in searches. There have been few mycological studies in this area compared to other regions of Patagonia, thus other populations may exist.

Population Trend: Unknown

---

Habitat and Ecology

This ectomycorrhizal species associates exclusively with Nothofagus species in Patagonia. So far it has only been found in an old growth Nothofagus dombeyi forest in the Aysén region of Chile (Melimoyu Natural Reserve).

---

Threats

It is found on privately owned land, and protection is not guaranteed into the future. This species is associated with an increasingly threatened habitat-type. Deforestation and forest fires (intentional and accidental due to drought and climate change) are a growing threat to this habitat, but in the area of the type locality there are few threats that may impact the site.

---

Conservation Actions

The only known locality of Geomorium furciae lies within a protected area (Melimoyu Natural Reserve), but protection is not guaranteed into the future as it is a privately owned site. Protection of old growth forest in this region could be of a benefit to this species. Little is known about the biology of the species (fruiting patterns) as well as its ecology (habitat requirement, host specificity) and its interaction with its Nothofagus host. Further research is needed in the area to find out whether more populations exist.

---

Use and Trade

No use or trade is known so far.

---

Source and Citation

Kuhar, F., Monroy Guzmán, C., Pfister, D. & Truong, C. 2020. Geomorium furciae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172735556A172861122. Accessed on 21 November 2025.

---

• Country occurrence