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

Calvatia fragilis (Quél.) Morgan

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Scientific name
Calvatia fragilis
Author
(Quél.) Morgan
Common names
 
IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Agaricaceae
Assessment status
Proposed
Proposed by
Mikael Jeppson
Comments etc.
Mikael Jeppson

Assessment Notes

Taxonomic notes

Correct name: Calvatia fragilis (Vittad.) Morgan
Basionym: Lycoperdon fragile Vittad. Monograph Lyc.: 36(1842)


Calvatia fragilis has been considered a synonym of C. cyathiformis (Bosc) Morgan, but according to Bates et al (2009), Kreisel (1992, 2001) and Moreno et al. (2010) they are separate species with different distribution patterns.


Why suggested for a Global Red List Assessment?

The current population trends are unknown, but likely declining on a global scale. It is considered potentially extinct in the Czech republic and it is redlisted in Poland. It is dependent on the area and quality of xerothermic grasslands/steppes. It is threatened by overgrowth (ceased grazing), overgrazing and dry grasslands transformed into cultivated framland, exploitation (road infrastructure, buildings) and desertification due to global warming.  Suggested assessment: VU(C1)


Geographic range

Calvatia fragilis was described from Italy and has since been recorded in xerothermic regions of most continents. The geographic range is somewhat ambiguous as it has frequently been confused with C. cyathiformis and recorded as such. Kreisel (1992) summarized the distribution of C. fragilis as N. America, N. Africa, C. Asia, S. Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

 


Population and Trends

Calvatia fragilis has a wide world distribution but is reliant on xerothermic grasslands and steppe habitats, and thus decreasing due to habitat loss.

Potential mis-identifications (with C. cyathiformis) should be considered.

<100 known localities
Estimated number of localities: 500
Estimated number of functional individuals: 1000
Estimated number of mature individuals_ 10000

Population Trend: Decreasing


Habitat and Ecology

Saprotrophic species of open, xerothermic habitats: dry pastures, sandy steppe and halophytic steppe. It also occurs in the Mediterranean garrique vegetation as well as in light Mediterranean pine woodland.


Threats

Overgrowth due to ceased grazing as well as exploitation of its habitat (grazed grassland being transferred to cultivated farmlands).
Overgrazing
Exploitation: road infrastructure, buildings etc.
Desertification due to global warming


Conservation Actions

Red-listed as potentially extinct in the Czech republic (Holec & Beran 2006) and (as C. cyathiformis) proposed as E in Poland (Wojewoda 2003).

Known localities should be monitored regularly.


Research needed

Reserach is needed to resolve the species limits between C. fragilis and C. cyathiformis.


Use and Trade

none


Bibliography


Country occurrence

Regional Population and Trends

Country Trend Redlisted