- Scientific name
- Cortinarius galbus
- Author
- Kuhar & Nouhra
- Common names
-
- IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Cortinariaceae
- Assessment status
-
Published
- Assessment date
- 2023-06-14
- IUCN Red List Category
-
VU
- IUCN Red List Criteria
-
C2a(ii)
- Assessors
- Ranieri, C. & Kuhar, F.
- Reviewers
- Drechsler-Santos, E. & Martins da Cunha, K.
Assessment Notes
Justification
Cortinarius galbus is an ectomycorrhizal species found in association with
Nothofagus dombeyi,
N. antarctica,
N. alpina, and
N. obliqua. Basidiomes are found below ground and are the dispersal might rely on animal consumption to propagate the species. Recent findings suggest that birds play a key role in the life cycle of Patagonian native truffle-like mushrooms. Threats endangering the populations of those birds might compromise also species like
C. galbus. So far this species is only known from three collections in Argentina (Nahuel Huapi National Park) and in two in Chile (Puyehue and Villarrica National Park) (2016 to 2019). Because this species has an ectomycorrhizal habit, its distribution pattern is likely related to the distribution of its hosts in an increasingly threatened in Nothofagaceae domain. Deforestation, forest fires (intentional and accidental due to drought and climate change), invasive species and cattle are a growing threat.
C. galbus is considered a rare species and only one specimen was observed per site, but it is conservatively considered that there are at least 15-30 mature individuals per site, that would be found with a greater sampling effort. Considering how the species is associated with an increasingly threatened
Nothofagus forests (CONAF
et al. 1999, Miranda
et al. 2017, CONAF 2020), it is expected that the current population is no bigger than 10,000 mature individuals. The three generation time period of this species is 50 years, and it is inferred that due to climate change and other threats, such as deforestation, fires increase, alien species and cattle, the area suitable for the specific forest which harbours this species will decrease conservatively 15% in the next 30 years (year 2050) and, as a consequence, the population size of fungal species is in continuing decline. This species is assessed as Vulnerable under criterion C2a(ii).
Geographic range
So far this species is only known from three collections in Argentina (Nahuel Huapi National Park) and in two in Chile (Puyehue and Villarrica National Park) (2016 to 2019). Because this species has an ectomycorrhizal habit, its distribution pattern is likely related to the distribution of its hosts, in the Nothofagaceae.
Population and Trends
Cortinarius galbus is considered a rare species. It has very small-sized sequestrate globose pileus, yellow to olive brown basidiomes, covered by a white to translucent universal veil, occurring under the litter layer beneath trees of the Nothofagaceae. One specimen was observed per site, but it is considered that there are at least 15-30 mature individuals per site, that would be found with a greater sampling effort. Then, considering that the species is associated with an increasingly threatened Nothofagus forests (CONAF et al. 1999, Miranda et al. 2017, CONAF 2020), it is expected that the current population is no bigger than 10,000 mature individuals. The three generation time period of this species is 50 years (Dahlberg and Mueller (2011), and it is inferred that due to climate change and other threats, such as deforestation, fires increase, alien species and cattle, the area suitable for the specific forest which harbours this species will decrease conservatively 15% in the next 30 years (year 2050), and consequently the fungal population size is in continuing decline.
Population Trend: decreasing
Habitat and Ecology
This ectomycorrhizal species so far it has been found in association with
Nothofagus dombeyi,
N. alpina,
N. obliqua (Villarrica and Puyehue National Park in Chile), and
N. antarctica (Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina). The basidiomes are often found below ground and are the dispersal might rely on animal consumption to propagate the species. Recent findings suggest that birds in the family Rhynocryptidae play a key role in the life cycle of Patagonian native truffle-like mushrooms. Threats endangering the populations of those birds might compromise also species like
Cortinarius galbus.
Threats
This species is associated with an increasingly threatened
Nothofagus forest. Deforestation, forest fires (intentional and accidental due to drought and climate change), invasive species like
Pseudotsuga menziesii and cattle are a growing threat. Also, new research suggests that a rare family of birds (Rhynocryptidae) might be involved in the spore dispersal of hypogeous fungi in Patagonia (Sepulveda 2021). Confirming if this is the case and also the exclusivity of this relationship would provide invaluable information and suggest conservation strategies.
Conservation Actions
As three of the known localities of
Cortinarius galbus are within protected areas (national parks), in both Chile and Argentina, law reinforcement is important as well as education and awareness about the species. The biology of the species (dispersal vector, sporomes-forming patterns), its ecology (habitat requirement, host specificity), and how it interacts with its
Nothofagus hosts should be investigated. Further research is needed to find out whether the species is overlooked or truly rare.
Use and Trade
No uses or trade are known so far.
Source and Citation
Ranieri, C. & Kuhar, F. 2023. Cortinarius galbus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T238218137A245224251.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T238218137A245224251.en .Accessed on 4 January 2025