Assessment Notes

Justification

Borofutus dhakanus is a boletoid species from tropical Asia. Since its description in 2012 it has been found in several sites and the population size is estimated at a minimum of 80,000 individuals. Deforestation in part of its range, in Southeast Asia, presents a threat through habitat reduction, and has likely caused a decrease in population size. However, given the multiple possible plant hosts and the wide distribution of the species, it is difficult to calculate an estimate of population decline. Therefore the species is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

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Taxonomic notes

This is the type species of the monotypic genus Borofutus, established using morphological and phylogenetic evidence (Hosen et al. 2013).

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Geographic range

Borofutus dhakanus has so far been found in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.

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Population and Trends

Borofutus dhakanus has been found in at least eight sites, taking into account the specimens described in the literature (Hosen et al. 2013, Parihar et al. 2014, Thongkantha et al. 2017) and GBIF records (human observation and preserved specimen records with location description or coordinates - eDNA records were excluded). The species also appears to have a wide distribution across tropical Asia, and a wide area of suitable habitat, so the population size is estimated at a minimum of 80,000 individuals, following Dahlberg and Mueller (2011) guidelines.

Since B. dhakanus might have different ectomycorrhizal hosts throughout its range, it is difficult to estimate population size trends from changes in area of habitat. However, given that Southeast Asia is a considerable deforestation hotspot, it is likely that population size is in decline due to loss of habitat in this part of the species' range, specifically in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Population Trend: Decreasing

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Habitat and Ecology

Upon its description Borofutus dhakanus was presumed to be ectomycorrhizal with Shorea robusta, but it has since been found it in a forest dominated by Dipterocarpus sp. (Thongkantha et al. 2017). Moreover, the distribution of this fungus is wider than that of S. robusta (POWO 2022), which suggests it may have other potential hosts. It grows solitarily or in small groups, in dry deciduous forest with clayey soil.

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Threats

Deforestation in part of this species' range, in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, may present a threat to this species habitat (Global Forest Watch 2022). Some Dipterocarpus species in the region have also been attributed threatened categories by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (e.g. Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, Dipterocarpus intricatus and Dipterocarpus costatus) due to a population decline cause by agricultural expansion and logging. Another possible host, Shorea robusta is assessed as Least Concern (Ashton 1998).

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Conservation Actions

More information on host species could help estimate the potential distribution of Borofutus dhakanus.

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Use and Trade

Borofutus dhakanus is an edible species and has been found being sold at a market in Thailand (Thongkantha et al. 2017).

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Source and Citation

Cunha, S.P. & Gonçalves, S.C. 2025. Borofutus dhakanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T265999355A266018228. Accessed on 23 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence