• Proposed
  • 2Under Assessment
  • 3Preliminary Assessed
  • 4Assessed
  • 5Published

Entoloma catalaunicum (Singer) Noordel.

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Scientific name
Entoloma catalaunicum
Author
(Singer) Noordel.
Common names
Bluefoot Pinkgill
IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Entolomataceae
Assessment status
Proposed
Proposed by
Simon Harding
Assessors
Simon Harding
Comments etc.
Gregory Mueller

Assessment Notes

Taxonomic notes

Entoloma catalaunicum is placed in Entoloma subgenus Cyanula, subsection Rhynchocystidiata in recent European treatments. The species is well defined and supported by the modern treatment in Fungi Europaei 5b, including the designation of an epitype by Dima et al. (2023). Historical confusion with pink forms of E. serrulatum has been resolved through the structure and pigmentation of the lamella edge. No synonymies or unresolved taxonomic issues are currently recognised.


Why suggested for a Global Red List Assessment?

Entoloma catalaunicum is a rare European species with a highly restricted distribution and a strong association with long‑established, nutrient‑poor calcareous or base‑rich semi‑natural habitats. These grassland systems, often characterised by high ecological continuity, are undergoing continuing decline across much of Europe due to land‑use change, abandonment, nutrient enrichment, scrub encroachment, and climate‑driven shifts in moisture and seasonality. The species occupies a narrow ecological niche and appears to have low tolerance of disturbance, making recolonisation unlikely where habitat quality deteriorates. Its occurrence in sites with long habitat continuity suggests that it may serve as an indicator of stable, undisturbed grassland ecosystems where other rare or specialist fungi are likely to occur. The small number of confirmed sites, restricted Area of Occupancy, fragmentation, and ongoing decline in habitat extent and quality indicate that E. catalaunicum meets the conditions for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B2ab(ii,iii,iv).


Geographic range

Entoloma catalaunicum is known from a small number of scattered sites in Europe, where it occurs in long‑established, nutrient‑poor, base‑rich grasslands. Its distribution is highly restricted and fragmented, reflecting both the limited extent of suitable habitat and the species’ apparent dependence on grasslands with long ecological continuity. The Area of Occupancy is small, and continuing decline is inferred due to ongoing loss and degradation of ancient, unimproved grasslands across its range. No evidence suggests that the species occupies recently created or restored grasslands, and recolonisation of degraded sites appears unlikely.


Population and Trends

Entoloma catalaunicum is known from a small number of confirmed sites across Europe, reflecting its narrow ecological niche and the limited extent of suitable long‑established, nutrient‑poor grasslands. The population is inferred to be small and fragmented, with continuing decline in the number of mature individuals expected due to ongoing loss and degradation of habitat. No evidence suggests the species can recolonise sites where habitat quality has deteriorated, and local extirpations are likely where nutrient enrichment, abandonment or afforestation occur.

Population Trend: Decreasing


Habitat and Ecology

The species occurs in long‑established calcareous grassland and subalpine calcareous heath on basic soils. In the Pyrenees it has been recorded where grassland and Pinus sylvestris woodland form a natural mosaic, but this likely reflects the structure of the landscape rather than a dependence on trees. Based on current records, the species appears to be associated primarily with ancient, base‑rich, low‑nutrient grassland systems.
Its occurrence in sites with long habitat stability suggests that it may function as an indicator of undisturbed grassland ecosystems where other rare or specialist fungi are also likely to occur.

Temperate GrasslandSubtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Grassland

Threats

The species is associated with long‑established calcareous grassland and subalpine calcareous heath on basic soils. These habitats are sensitive to changes in land use, including abandonment of traditional grazing, scrub encroachment, afforestation and nutrient enrichment. Climate‑driven shifts in montane grassland–woodland mosaics may also alter habitat structure over time. However, there is currently no direct evidence of decline in the species itself.
Its occurrence in sites with long habitat stability suggests that it may function as an indicator of undisturbed grassland ecosystems where other rare or specialist fungi are also likely to occur.

Housing & urban areasScale Unknown/UnrecordedScale Unknown/UnrecordedOther ecosystem modificationsNutrient loadsDroughtsTemperature extremes

Conservation Actions

No species‑specific conservation actions are currently in place. Protection and appropriate management of long‑established calcareous grassland and subalpine calcareous heath on basic soils are likely to benefit this species. Maintaining low‑nutrient conditions and traditional grazing regimes, and preventing scrub encroachment or afforestation, will help sustain suitable habitat. Further survey work is needed to clarify its distribution, confirm its habitat preferences and support conservation of these ancient grassland systems.

Site/area protectionResource & habitat protectionSite/area managementAwareness & communications

Research needed

Further research would help refine understanding of the ecological requirements and site-level dynamics of Entoloma catalaunicum, particularly its association with long‑established, nutrient‑poor calcareous grasslands. Molecular work would strengthen the taxonomic framework for Mediterranean‑type Entoloma species and support verification of geographically separated records. Additional study of habitat conditions, fruiting behaviour, and responses to grazing and nutrient inputs would assist in guiding management of sites where the species occurs and in identifying other areas with suitable conditions.

TaxonomyPopulation size, distribution & trendsLife history & ecology

Use and Trade

There is no known use or trade of this species.


Bibliography


Country occurrence

Regional Population and Trends

Country Trend Redlisted