Assessment Notes

Justification

This species is recently described but nonetheless appears to be genuinely rare, as it has only been recorded in limited numbers from one site in an area well surveyed for this order. It is therefore likely that the number of mature individuals is less than 1,000, and so it is assessed as Vulnerable D1.

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Geographic range

This species is known from one site near Lago Hess in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina.

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Population and Trends

Despite extensive sampling for Pezizales fungi throughout Patagonia (see Truong et al. 2017) as well as years of taxonomic work on Pezizales by the famous Argentinian mycologist Dr. Irma Gamundi (e.g. Gamundi 2010), this species has only been collected twice in one year at one site near Lago Hess in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Based on it being only known from limited numbers at one site, despite this region having been intensively surveyed for this order over a long period of time, it is likely that there are fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. There is not enough information to be able to state the population trend.

Population Trend: Unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

The ecology of Pseudotricharina species is not completely clear. The ascomata of this genus are found directly on bare soil or in bare soil among mosses. Based on the sexual reproduction habit, the species in this group may be saprotrophs. However, some orchid mycorrhiza DNA sequences fall into the genus Pseudotricharina so species in this group may also be associated with orchids.

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Threats

Probable threats in this area are logging, grazing, and in some places invasive Lodgepole Pines (Pinus contorta).

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Conservation Actions

The only known locality is within a National Park, however grazing occurs at sites throughout the park. Prevention of grazing at the only known site of this species, for example through fencing, would be of great conservation benefit, as would informing management of the site of the presence of this species. In addition, management of the invasive pines is required. Continued surveying of ecologically similar sites is needed, to ascertain whether the distribution is larger than currently known. Further research on its life history and ecology would help to better fine its specific requirements and thus its potential distribution.

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Use and Trade

There is no known use or trade of this species.

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Source and Citation

Furci, G. & Smith, M. 2020. Pseudotricharina lanigera. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172832888A172861387. Accessed on 22 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence