Assessment Notes

Justification

This species is known from the coastal Atlantic Forest of Brazil and French Guiana. There are records from six sites, but it is likely to be more widespread. Based on the severe habitat decline within the area, we suspect a population decline of around 20% within the last three generations (50 years). It is, therefore assessed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the conditions for listing as Vulnerable under criterion A2c.

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Geographic range

This species is known from six sites: one in French Guiana, where it was first described, in Réserve Naturelle Mont Grand Matoury, 4°51'54.0"N 52°21'00.0"W, at 50 m elevation; one in north-east of Brazil, Pernambuco, Caruaru, Parque Municipal João Vasconcelos Sobrinho, 08°21'43"S 36°02'10"W, 859m alt.; and four in southern Brazil, in Santa Catarina State: Florianópolis, Morro da Lagoa, 27°35'29.0"S 48°28'14.0"W, Lagoinha do Leste, 27°45'45.0"S 48°28'59.0"W, Blumenau, Parque Nacional da Serra do Itajaí, 27°02'00.0"S 49°02'45.0"W, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, 27°44'02.0"S 48°48'35.0"W.

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Population and Trends

This species occurs in conserved fragments of tropical and subtropical rainforests near the coast from French Guiana south to southern Brazil. Although it grows in big groups, it is only visible for a short period of time (1-2 months) and is restricted to a certain vegetation type.

There has been a habitat decline of Brazilian Atlantic Forest of over 90% since the 1940's, however rates of decline in northern Brazil and French Guiana are lower. There is a lack of data to be able to calculate precise declines of this habitat type within the last three generations (50 years) of this species, but based on the decline of Brazilian Atlantic Forest we precautionarily assume there has been a habitat loss of at least 30% within this part of the species' range within the past three generations and that this also equates to a population decline of at least 30% within this timeframe. However, taking into account the slower rates of decline in northern Brazil and French Guiana the overall rate of decline will be lower if the species is also found widely in this area. We therefore estimate an overall population decline of around 20% within the past three generations.

Population Trend: decreasing

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Habitat and Ecology

This is an ectomycorrhizal species growing on the forest floor, usually occurring in open soil, in dense groups. It is known from tropical and subtropical rainforests.

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Threats

Real estate speculation is the most constant threat in Brazil, as it grows in hilly areas near the coast, including on Santa Catarina island. In French Guiana, it is recorded from a fragment of primary forest in a national park near Cayenne. The area seems to be the last fully preserved forest on the island of Cayenne, surrounded by rapid urban and demographic growth, and is open for tourism.

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Conservation Actions

Required conservation actions include mainly the management and maintenance of the protected areas where the species is found, along with developing conservation plans. Additionally, more surveys for this species are needed to better understand its distribution patterns. Also, ecological studies to assess the possible plant hosts of this species are needed.

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Use and Trade

This species is not utilized.

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Source and Citation

Neves, M.A., Furtado, A. & Cardoso, J.S. 2020. Russula rubropunctatissima. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172678393A172861047. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T172678393A172861047.en .Accessed on 1 February 2023

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• Country occurrence