One of the largest of “Gasteromycetes”. It is related to Battarea and Phellorinia.
Syn.: Dictyocephalos curvatus Underw.

A sister species, D. xinjiangensis , has been described from arid, sandy soil in China.  It forms even larger fruitbodies than D. attenuatus.

Species with a small and fragmented population. Restricted to xeric habitats. Suspected decrease due to changing land use as arid habitats are transformed into arable fields (historical and ongoing).

Possible assessment: CR(C2) -EN(C1)

 

North American distribution is restricted to the arid southwest, recorded from California, including Channel Islands,  Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming. In South America recorded once from Argentina. In Europe occasional occurrences on sand dunes on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and in dry steppic habitats in Los Monegros (C. Spain)-

Rare species with less than 50 records in GBIF database. Restricted to xeric habitats.
Suspected decline as an effect of changing land use as arid habitats are transformed tino arable fields (historical and ongoing)
Small and fragmented population

Number of estimated localities:100
Number of functional individuals: 200
Number of mature individuals estimated to <2000
Mature individuals in largest subpopulations: 10

AOO 80 km2
EOO: 56,000,000 km2

Exposed arid and steppic habitats

Small and fragmented population combined with a likely decline in habitat quality and area might be detrimental factors as barren, arid habitats are irregated and converted and cultivated.

This could be targeted for citizen science discovery missions. Large fruitbodies, easy to identify and grows in barren places.