This is a valuable black truffle intensively searched for 10 years since its description. It Is microendemic and has only one subpopulation in a threatened small area of 1000 km2.
The only known subpopulation of T. regimontanum occupies a potential AOO of 1000 km2. In this region the forests of its only known host Quercus polymorpha are fragmented and subject to continuous ilegal logging and fires. So its population is small with no more than 1000 individuals in only one known threatened locality with a high probability of increasing the extinction risk in the near future. Because of this the species should be listed as VU B2ab(ii,iii), D2.
Tuber regimontanum is an hypogeous fungus associated with Quercus polymorpha that can be recognized by its blackish peridium. The species resembles T. melanosporum and T. indicum, however these species have smaller spores.
Microscopically, T. regimontanum can be recognized by the size if its ascospores 33-55 (-62) x 23-31 µ and by DNA (ITS) variation (Guevara et al 2008).
Tuber regimotanum is a rare hypogeous ectomycorrhizal fungus only known from the type locality from northeastern Mexico. It has been extensively looked for during the last 10 years. DNA sequences of this species have not been found elsewhere in the world or in other mexican oak forests. In consequence, its rarity is not due to under-sampling. The only known subpopulation of T. regimontanum occupies a potential AOO of 1000 km2. In this region the forests of its only known host Quercus polymorpha are fragmented and subject to continuous ilegal logging and fires. So its population is small with no more than 1000 individuals in only one known threatened locality with a high probability of increasing the extinction risk in the near future. Because of this the species should be listed as VU B2ab(ii,iii), D2.
Tuber regimontanum is endemic from Sierra of Picachos, Municipality of Higueras, Nuevo León state in Northeastern Mexico. Even while Tuber is extensively studied, there are no matches of DNA sequences to other vouchers or environmental sequences. So its microendemicity seems not a result of undersampling. Additionally, looking for similar DNA sequences in the Mexican Soil fungi database there are not matches even while the data base contain several oak forests.
The species in only known from the type locality. Ten years continuous efforts to find additional locallities since its description in 2008 have have been unsuccessful. The few existing specimens and only one known population do reflect is local endemism and rarity and not seem to be a result of undersampling. The single population inhabits Quercus polymorpha forests that are continuosly affected by fires. Global warming and deforestation in the region will force a decline in its populations.
Population Trend: Decreasing
Ascomata are hypogeous, gregarious, and rare. The species is an ectomycorrhizal symbiont of Quercus polymorpha. Its fruiting season is in Fall (August) at 306 m elevation.
The only known population of Tuber regimontanum grows associated with Quercus spp. forest. The Quercus polymorpha forests are subjeted to land cover-change, illegal timber extraction and wild fires. Urban expansion is severely threatening the surrounding forests and therefore T. regimontanum only known population as well.
The only know subpopulation of Tuber regimontanum inhabits the Ecological Reserve Sierra of Picachos, Municipality of Higueras, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. An priority action would be to protect this habitat diminishing wild fires and avoiding illegal timber extraction in the area. Tuber regimontanum is not enlisted in either global or National Red lists up to date.
Increase sampling to other sites where Quercus polymorpha is present.
There are not reports about edibility or use of this species, however, it is suspected to be edible.
GBIF Secretariat. (2019). Tuber regimontanum. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from https://www.gbif.org/species/5451995
Guevara, G., G. Bonito, E. Cázares, J. A. Rodriguez y R. Vilgalys. 2008. Tuber regimontanum, new species of truffle from Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Micología. 26: 17-20.
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