- Proposed
- Under Assessment
- Preliminary Assessed
- Assessed
- VUPublished
Cyttaria septentrionalis D.A. Herb.
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- Scientific name
- Cyttaria septentrionalis
- Author
- D.A. Herb.
- Common names
- IUCN Specialist Group
Cup-fungi, Truffles and Allies- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Leotiomycetes
- Order
- Cyttariales
- Family
- Cyttariaceae
- Assessment status
- Published
- Assessment date
- 2019-07-24
- IUCN Red List Category
- VU
- IUCN Red List Criteria
- B2ab(iii,v); C2a(i)
- Assessors
- Leonard, P.L.
- Reviewers
- Lebel, T. & Minter, D.
Assessment Notes
The content on this page is fetched from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/154440031/185718313
Justification
This fungus is one of the few readily recognizable Ascomycetes in Queensland and has a well defined distribution. The warming climate and increased risk of fire clearly present future risks for the species.The area of occupancy of this species is under 2,000 km2, with 4-5 locations and continuing decline in the area and quality of its habitat (due to changing climatic conditions and other threats) and the number of mature individuals. It has a population size estimated as 2,000 mature individuals, with no more than 500 in each subpopulation, and continuing decline. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable B2ab(iii,v); C2a(i).
Geographic range
This species follows the distribution of its host, Nothofagus moorei, in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Based on the distribution of its host, its area of occupancy cannot exceed 2,000 km2. The distribution is confined to the tops of 4-5 mountain areas, which can each be considered to represent a location based on the threat of climate change, since this habitat is unable to move to higher altitude with changing conditions.Population and Trends
There are 20 known occurrences of this species, each of which could be assumed to represent 10 mature individuals including unrecorded individuals at these sites, following Dahlberg and Mueller (2011). Taking into account suitable habitat, there may be 10 times as many unrecorded sites, giving a total of 2,000 mature individuals. This population size is inferred to be decreasing as a result of ongoing threats to the species and its habitat.
Population Trend: decreasing
Habitat and Ecology
Cyttaria septentrionalis is a weak parasite on the branches of Nothofagus moorei on land above 800 metres altitude in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.Threats
The main threats to this species are clearly defined: the warming climate that threatens its host and the increasing risk of fire as evidenced by rainforest fires in Queensland in 2018.Conservation Actions
Recognition of the fungus in the National Park Management plans would be desirable. No additional action would be required beyond that taken to safeguard its host.Ecological research is needed: Cyttaria septentrionalis produces copious nectar in the spring and it is thought this may be an important food source for some insects and possibly nectar eating birds species. Observational evidence would be helpful.
