Assessment Notes

Justification

This species has a restricted range in Argentina, associated with Polylepis australis forests on the Sierras Pampeanas range. Its Extent of Occurrence covers only c.3,000 km², and the species is severely fragmented within this range. Ongoing threats due to agriculture, cattle farming, and invasive species are thought to be causing continuing declines, and thus the species is listed as Endangered.

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Geographic range

This species is endemic to central and northern Argentina. It is restricted to Polylepis australis forests on the Sierras Pampeanas range. Its Extent of Occurrence covers only c.3,000 km², and the species is severely fragmented within this range.

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Population and Trends

This species occurs in an area that was intensively researched for many years, but it is not abundant in this region. Since fruiting bodies are exposed and not hidden, we assume that they should be easy to find. The population is thought to be in decline due to fragmentation and a severe reduction of the habitat.

Population Trend: Decreasing

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Habitat and Ecology

This species is restricted to small twig of living Polylepis australis trees, growing saprotrophically.

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Threats

This species is threatened by the fragmentation and severe reduction of its habitat (due to agriculture and cattle ranching) as well as invasion of the forest by non native trees and shrubs such as Ligustrum lucidum and Pyracantha coccinea. Gallo et al. (2015) intensively sampled these forests and showed that the occurrence of the species is inversely correlated with the degradation status of the forest.

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Conservation Actions

Research strategies focusing on the conservation of the environment are being developed as are political initiatives to stop the reduction of the natural range of its host. Some natural reserves constitute a reservoir of the species, however, fire and cattle still affect the recovery of the host tree population there and the invasions are still progressing. Host specificity studies are needed as well as information on its occurrence in isolated populations of the host. The presence in other species of Polylepis would mean a lower risk status for the species, but it has not been detected yet. Research into how invasive plants may impact this species (via their impact on the host tree) is required.

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Use and Trade

No uses have been recorded.

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Source and Citation

Kuhar, F., Pfister, D. & Truong, C. 2020. Aleurocystis gloeocystidiata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172733999A172861072. Accessed on 22 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence