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Cortinarius galbus Kuhar & Nouhra

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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

The content on this page is fetched from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/238218137/245224251

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

Country occurrence