Wrightoporia araucariae is currently known from only two localities, both in southern Brazil. The species grows exclusively on Araucaria angustifolia, an economically important and emblematic tree. Previously, it was expected to occur throughout the host’s distribution range—in southern and southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and parts of Paraguay. Recently, a dedicated research effort aimed at gathering new data was conducted specifically for this species throughout its known and expected range, and after three years of intensive fieldwork (2023–2025), no new specimens were recorded. A total of 25 field expeditions were undertaken across 17 distinct sites within the Araucaria Forest (Westphalen et al., 2026).
W. araucariae is likely a rare species, as areas where its host (A. angustifolia) remains abundant are among the most thoroughly surveyed regions of the Atlantic Forest. More than two decades of intensive sampling have yielded no additional records. Its host is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (Thomas 2013), having lost about 97% of its original cover over the past 100 years, a decline that continues today.
Wrightoporia araucariae is known only from two sites in Rio Grande do Sul state, approximately 45 km apart, but it may potentially occur at an additional 10 to 20 sites that maintain the forest maturity, conservation status, and microclimatic conditions required for its presence. Based on the observed low density of individuals throughout its range, combined with the species’ low detectability, each site likely supports 10–20 mature individuals. This results in an expected total population size of 100–400 mature individuals, all within a single subpopulation.
Due to the ongoing loss of habitat extent and quality, W. araucariae is suspected to undergo a further 70–80% reduction in population size over the next 50 years (equivalent to three generations). In the previous assessment, the species was listed as Critically Endangered under criterion A3c (population reduction suspected in the next 50 years based on habitat quality decline). However, W. araucariae is now known to be more geographically restricted and to have a smaller population size than previously assumed. Taking a precautionary approach, and considering the extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, the species is now assessed as Critically Endangered under criteria A3c; C2a(ii).

The species was described in 2014 and was named “araucariae” referring to the host tree, Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze. The species has no known synonyms.

This is species is being reassessed based on new data avaliable from a research projected conducted between 2023 and 2025: “First efforts to preserve Wrightoporia araucariae, a rare and critically endangered species endemic to Araucaria forests” (MBZF Grant 222530589)

 

The species is currently known only from southern Brazil in São Francisco de Paula National Forest, within the Rio Grande do Sul state. Micro-morphological revisions of a specimen previously annotated as W. araucariae (FLOR 69074) and collected in the São Joaquim National Park (Santa Catarina, Brazil) revealed that the collection was wrongly identified (Westphalen et al., 2026). Thus, based on these revisions and targeted efforts made from 2023 to 2025 in southern Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul states), in which W. araucariae was not detected, it is now assumed that the species is restricted to Rio Grande do Sul. Araucaria angustifolia used to have an abundant and widespread distribution in regions with subtropical climates in southern/south-eastern Brazil, north-eastern Argentina and parts of Paraguay. However, it now has a very restricted and fragmented distribution, being mostly concentrated in southern Brazil, having lost about 97% of its original cover in the last 100 years (Thomas 2013). This further supports the estimated restricted distribution of W. araucariae within Rio Grande do Sul mature Araucaria-forest areas.

Wrightoporia araucariae is currently known only from two sites and 4 collections. Between 2023 and 2025, targeted efforts were made to further understand the species distribution and abundance throughout its known range and potential occurrence areas (Westphalen et al., 2026). In parallel with deposited specimens revisions, a total of 25 field expeditions were undertake, encompassing 17 distinct sites across areas of Araucaria Forest in Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul states (southern Brazil). Approximately 200 fungal samples displaying macroscopic features resembling W. araucariae were collected from decaying Araucaria angustifolia logs (its obligate host), but microscopic examination ultimately showed that none of the samples corresponded to W. araucariae. Furthermore, areas in which its host is abundant, such as the São Francisco de Paula National Forest, are among the most surveyed regions of the Atlantic Forest, with almost two decades of intensive and sustained sampling. Therefore, evidence suggests that W. araucariae is rare throughout its current narrow distribution range, which is expected to be restricted to mature, well-preserved Araucaria Forest fragments within the Rio Grande do Sul state (Westphalen et al., 2026). In addition, Araucaria angustifolia used to have an abundant and widespread distribution also in north-eastern Argentina and parts of Paraguay. However, it has lost about 97% of its original cover in the last 100 years, occurring in very small densities restricted to high altitude environments outside southern Brazil. This supports the estimated restricted distribution of W. araucariae to Rio Grande do Sul, since its host now occurs in suboptimal conditions outside the region, and the fungus has never been reported outside southern Brazil. Araucaria angustifolia is assessed as CR on the IUCN Red List (Thomas 2013), and even though it is now illegal to harvest the species, it still suffers an ongoing decline in its population size due to losses in habitat quality and extent (Global Forest Watch 2020). It is also projected that, due to climate change outcomes, by 2070 the species could be restricted to highland microrefugia, of which only 2.5% are in conservation areas (Wilson et al. 2019, Castro et al. 2020). As such, the available new data suggests that W. araucariae population size is smaller than previously expected. Based on the observed very low density of individuals along its distribution range, but also taking into account the low detectability of the species, it is expected that W. araucariae occurs in 10 to 20 sites, with each likely supporting 10 to 20 mature individuals, resulting in an estimated total population size varying from 100 to 400 mature individuals, all belonging to a single subpopulation. Due to the expected loss of its habitat extent and quality, W. araucarie is suspected to suffer an additional reduction of 70–80% of its population size over the next 50 years (equivalent to 3 generations).

Wrightoporia araucariae is a saprotrophic wood-decaying fungus. It has been found exclusively on dead logs of Araucaria angustifolia. Its host was originally distribution in regions with subtropical climate throughout southern/south-eastern Brazil, north-eastern Argentina and parts of Paraguay. However, A. angustifolia has lost most of its habitat area, and currently is mostly found in southern Brazil. Throughout its former range, the host occurs in very small densities and restricted to high altitude environments, but the fungus has not been reported from these regions.

The species is threatened by the loss of its host, Araucaria angustifolia. This coniferous tree is assessed as CR on the IUCN Red List, as it has lost 97% of its original cover in 100 years, a decline that remains ongoing today. An extensive amount of this loss took place in the last 50 years, due to land conversion for farming and plantations as well as logging activities. Although A. angustifolia is legally protected now (Brasil 2008), the forests where the species occurs (Araucaria Moist Forests) are still suffering a continuing decline (Global Forest Watch 2020). Additionally, only a small part of the Araucaria forests are in conservation areas (Indrusiak and Monteiro 2009), and studies suggest that, due to climate change, by 2070 the species could be restricted to highland microrefugia, of which only 2.5% are in conservation areas (Wilson et al. 2019, Castro et al. 2020).

The main action to preserve the species is the protection of its host. This should include enforcing policies already assured by law, restoration of Araucaria forests, and creation of new conservation areas to protect the probable sites which the species will be restricted to in the future. Conservation ex-situ is higly suggested for this species.

More surveys are needed in other areas with Araucaria to confirm the species’ range and ecology, in particular to confirm its host-specificity. Also, since there are no DNA sequences available for the species, phylogenetic studies are not available for W araucariae, and efforts in this sense should be made to test its phylogenetic position.

None known.

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