Assessment Notes

Justification

As for Cantharellus ibityensis, C. paucifurcatus has only been recorded from Ibity in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. The type description gave no indication of the relative abundance of C. paucifurcatus, and so it is not currently possible to estimate the population size. It is also difficult to get a clear idea of population trends of the species. Being currently known to be restricted to one site means that if there is any indication of declines happening in the near future, which could be driven by threats such as logging or land conversion for agriculture, it could quickly warrant a listing as Critically Endangered. Therefore, C. paucifurcatus is assessed here as Vulnerable under criterion D2; although further surveys are encouraged to see if this species may be more widespread than currently known.

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Geographic range

This species has only been recorded from Ibity, in the central highlands of Madagascar, near Antsirabe (Buyck et al. 2015).

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Population and Trends

The type description of Cantharellus paucifurcatus does not give any indication of the potential abundance of the species, although given the potential limited range of the species, it is suspected to have a small overall population size.

The current population trend is uncertain. Global Forest Watch data (World Resources Institute 2021) appears to show little or no canopy cover loss within the potential range of the species since 2000, but this is no guarantee of a stable habitat, or stable population, especially given that the potential host species is generally found in more open woodland (see Rabarijaona 2019). While it is plausible that the species may have declined in the past 50 years (three generations; per Dahlberg and Mueller 2011), it is not possible to accurately estimate the rate of loss of the species directly, nor get an accurate suspicion based on the rate of loss of its habitat at its known locality.

Population Trend: Unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

This species has been collected in Uapaca bojeri woodland, at ca 1,500 m alt. on bare soil (Buyck et al. 2015).

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Threats

Logging and land conversion for agriculture are major threats to forests in Madagascar. The degree to which these are having an impact on this species, however, are uncertain.

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Conservation Actions

This species is known from one area only, so ensuring protection for this site would be beneficial for this species. If this is not feasible, then raising awareness of the species, and encouraging suitable habitat management amongst local stakeholders will be important. Research to confirm whether this species is restricted to this one site should be conducted, and the known site should be monitored in order to ascertain the population trend.

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Source and Citation

Westrip, J.R.S. 2025. Cantharellus paucifurcatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T189960620A271994166. Accessed on 23 November 2025.

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• Country occurrence