Bovista hollosii is a recently described species morphologically reminiscent of the more common B. tomentosa (Jeppson et al. 2016). Closely related are also the recently described B. helenae, B. subcatastoma and B. disciseda from SE Russia and Siberia (Rebriev & Dvadnenko 2017, Rebriev et al. 2017).

Bovista hollosii is a species restricted to sandy steppe vegetation, and so far known from only few localities in Hungary and Russia. The decline of the Eurasian steppe is an ongoing threat to this species.
Suggested assessment: EN-VU (C) or EN-VU(A4)

Hungary and Southern Russia

Bovista hollosii is known from less than 10 localities world-wide. It is a species of sandy steppe habitats and therefore potentially overlooked in suitable localites in South and Central Asia. It is, however, highly dependent on the status and trends of the sandy steppe vegetation. It is favoured by moderate trampling of sheep or cattle creating surfaces of naked sand.
Potentially under-recorded in Central Asia.

Estimated number of localities: 300
Estimated number of functional individuals: 600
Estimated number of mature individuals: 6000
Estimated number of mature individuals in largest subpopulation: <250

AOO ;116 km2
EOO: 1500000 km2

Saportrophic species of open, sandy, xerothermic stepp- and grassland. It occurs half-burried in the sand that is exposed through trampling by sheep and cattle or erosion by strong winds. It prefers patches of naked sand, with only scarce low herbs, mosses and lichens.

The rapid decline of the Eurasian steppe biome due to conversion into agricultural fields.
Abandoned grazing in steppe grasslands causing overgrowth.
Local overgrazing of habitats causing detrimental erosion.
Desertification of habitats due to global warming

Small area of occurrence

The known sites of Bovista hollosii should be regularly monitored to closely evaluate the habitat status. Dedicated search activities should be encouraged in suitable habitats.