Assessment Notes

Justification

Cantharellus densifolius is an ectomycorrhizal fungus. There is some potential taxonomic confusion regarding this species. The binomial Cantharellus densifolius has potentially been encapsulating multiple species, and epitypification of the species has now occurred. Confirmed specimens of this species come from northern Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Central African Republic. The latter's records come from Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest, though, and so the full range of the species is still suspected to be very large. Therefore, despite the taxonomic confusion it is tentatively suspected that C. densifolius would not warrant listing as threatened under any criterion and so is assessed as Least Concern. Further research is encouraged, though, and if it is found to be more restricted in range the it could warrant a higher threat category.

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Geographic range

Epitypification of Cantharellus densifolius by Buyck et al. (2019) suggests that this binomial had been being used for what were actually multiple species. The original type specimen of this species was collected in Binga, northern Democratic Republic of Congo, while the epitype and additional specimens in Buyck et al. (2019) come from Dzanga-Sangha Forest Reserve in Central African Republic. These latter records come from Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest (Buyck et al. 2019), and so there is a large amount of suitable habitat for this species in the wider region.

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Population and Trends

Population size and trends are unknown, although it has been noted to be found in small groups or as solitary basidiomata.

Population Trend: unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

The genus Cantharellus contains fungi that form ectomycorrhizal associations with trees. This species has been recorded from equatorial forest (see Buyck et al. 2019). The epitype, and additional new specimens from Buyck et al. (2019), were found in Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest (Buyck et al. 2019).

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Threats

There may be localised threats from logging, mining and agriculture, exacerbated by road construction. However, these are general threats to its habitat in the region, and further information regarding the full distribution of the species is required in order to get a clearer idea of the specific threats to this species.

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Conservation Actions

Specimens of this species should be reviewed to see whether they truly represent this species. In addition to this, further surveys should be conducted in order to ascertain its full distribution and a better understanding of its ecology.

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Source and Citation

Westrip, J.R.S. 2022. Cantharellus densifolius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T217821562A217824066. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T217821562A217824066.en .Accessed on 21 December 2023

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• Country occurrence