Assessment Notes

Justification

This species appears to be quite rare, with an estimated population size of up to 1,500 mature individuals. Its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy based on the known sites are quite small, but are likely to be underestimates. Although there are threats affecting its habitat and, therefore, probably the population at some sites, no significant population decline is currently inferred at the global level. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened, nearly meeting the conditions for listing as Vulnerable under criterion D1.

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Geographic range

This species has only been found from three sites in the Andes in northern Patagonia that fall within two protected areas (Lanin National Park, Argentina and Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Chile). These are the only sites that have been located despite extensive searching for truffle-like fungi in the region. This species has not been found south of the Volcán Osorno region and is thought to be restricted to northern Patagonia.

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Population and Trends

This species has only been found at three sites in well preserved forest sites with mature Nothofagaceae trees despite extensive searching for truffle-like fungi in the region. Due to ongoing threats to mature Nothofagaceae forests this rare species is also under threat. 

The current records indicate up to 3 genets per site, but it is likely that there are others; here we assume 5 genets, i.e. 50 ramets and therefore 150 mature individuals at the known three sites. As a truffle-like species, it has low detectability, though as it produces large numbers of basidiomata it is more detectable than many other truffles. The area of additional potential suitable habitat is quite large but has also been moderately well surveyed. A multiplier of 100 is therefore reasonable to account for the unknown sites, i.e. a total population size of 1,500 mature individuals.

Population Trend: unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

This species is an ectomycorrhizal associate of Nothofagaceae trees and has been found in forests with Nothfagus dombeyi, Nothofagus pumilio and Lophozonia alpina as potential host trees. This species typically produces basidiomata below the leaf litter in mature, well preserved forests.

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Threats

High quality Nothofagaceae forests in the range of this species are currently under threat due to forest fires, logging and grazing. In the future, many of the forests in this region are also anticipated to experience increased drought due to climate change. Because this species seems restricted to well preserved, mature forests it is threatened by any activities that degrade the forests in northern Patagonia.

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Conservation Actions

Preservation of northern Nothofagaceae forests in the Andes is critical to the survival of this species, while more survey work is needed to further explore the distribution of this species.

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Use and Trade

This species has no known human uses.

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Source and Citation

Smith, M. 2020. Scleroderma patagonicum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172742108A172861257. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T172742108A172861257.en .Accessed on 3 February 2024

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• Country occurrence