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Guyanagaster lucianii R.A. Koch & Aime

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Scientific name
Guyanagaster lucianii
Author
R.A. Koch & Aime
Common names
 
IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Physalacriaceae
Assessment status
Published
Assessment date
2020-04-02
IUCN Red List Category
DD
Assessors
Smith, M. & Dentinger, B.
Reviewers
Neves, M.A. & 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/172831223/172861357

Justification

Guyanagaster lucianii is a rare, distinct fungus endemic to the Guiana Shield region of northern South America where it is known from four collections at a single location in Guyana. It is possibly a root parasite of Dicymbe altsonii and Eperua falcata. Only a tiny fraction of its possible suitable habitat has been surveyed. Potential host plants occur in a large region encompassing parts of Venezuela, northern Brazil and south-east Colombia. This entire region is very under-sampled, being very remote and completely unsurveyed. In total approximately 0.002% of its potential suitable habitat has been surveyed for fungi. It is not possible to estimate population size or trends, extent of occurrence, or area of occupancy. Increasing threats from timber and mineral extraction, and land use changes are anticipated, with the potential for these to be rapid if further road construction occurs. It is, therefore, assessed as Data Deficient, and further survey work in this region is urgently needed.

Taxonomic notes

This is one of two members within Guyanagaster which is the sister genus to Armillaria; phylogenetic placement and relatedness may change with increased survey and genetic barcoding data.

Geographic range

The species is currently known from one site in Guyana: Region 10 Upper Demerara-Berbice—Mabura Hill, elevation 161 m: 5.17, -58.70. Its full distribution is very uncertain.

Population and Trends

The species is known from four collections made in 2011 and 2013 in June (1 collection) and December (3 collections) consisting of 1-9 basidiomata. A total of 18 basidiomata are known, representing four genets. However, it is not possible to estimate the total population size because of the uncertainty over its full range.

Population Trend: unknown


Habitat and Ecology

The species appears to be restricted to decaying roots of woody plants:  "Attached to decaying woody roots of Dicymbe altsonii and Eperua falcata in tropical rainforests. Known only from the type locality in the Mabura Ecological Reserve of Guyana.” (Koch et al. 2017).  Ecologically, Guyanagaster lucianii appears to occupy the same niche as G. necrorhizus. Basidiomata are hypogeous to subhypogeous and growing from the roots of dead and decaying trees. Both Guyanagaster species are white rotters as the decaying roots to which they are attached are all light-coloured, spongy and sometimes gelatinous.

Threats

The only currently known site for this species is from a region of Guyana with more habitat degradation and disturbance than most of the generally inaccessible interior. Current threats include logging, forest clearing and small-scale mineral extraction that can cause habitat disturbance and water pollution. Future threats from land-use changes and climate change are anticipated.

Conservation Actions

No conservation actions are currently in place for this species. Protection of habitat is needed. Additionally, survey work to document the species’ distribution and abundance, taxonomy, and life history are needed. For instance: “The known habitat for Guyangaster necrorhizus and G. lucianii are separated by only 125 km, so elucidation of their dispersal strategy is needed to understand the evolutionary forces that led to their speciation.” (Koch et al. 2017).

Use and Trade

There is no known use or trade of this species.

Source and Citation

Smith, M. & Dentinger, B. 2020. Guyanagaster lucianii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172831223A172861357. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T172831223A172861357.en .Accessed on 4 February 2025

Country occurrence