Assessment Notes

Justification

Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae is an endemic species of Brazil, occurring in fragments of Atlantic Forest in the Southern region. It is a rare species, with only a few records from three different sites. The current total population is estimated at 3,600-5,400 mature individuals, in one subpopulation. Based on the habitat decline within the area, we infer a population decline, suspected to be around 10% in the last three generations (20 years). Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae is, therefore, assessed as Vulnerable C2a(ii).

---

Taxonomic notes

Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae was proposed as a new species by G. Coelho, Sulzbacher, Grebenc & Cortez in 2020 (Melanda et al. 2020). Specimens from Brazil were previously erroneously identified as Blumenavia angolensis (Welw. & Curr.) Dring, an African species (Trierveiler-Pereira et al. 2014, 2019).

---

Geographic range

Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae is known from well preserved fragments of Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil (Araucaria mixed forest and dense ombrophilous forest). The species was first recorded from the State of Paraná and, some years later, it was collected in the State of Santa Catarina (Meijer 2006, Trierveiler-Pereira et al. 2014, Melanda et al. 2020). Later, four specimens were collected in the same locality (São Francisco de Paula) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Trierveiler-Pereira et al. 2014, Melanda et al. 2020). The species is expected to occur in fragments of subtropical Araucaria mixed forest and dense ombrophilous forest in Southern Brazil.

---

Population and Trends

There are seven collections of the species from three different sites. It is a rarely found species, and it is expected to occur along the subtropical Araucaria mixed forest and dense ombrophilous forest, with occurrences at up to 200-300 additional potential sites. Its population is estimated ca. 3,600-5,400 mature individuals (see Dahlberg and Mueller 2011 for methodology), restricted to one subpopulation. The Atlantic Forest has been deforested over decades, and the remaining fragments are suffering from biomass and biodiversity erosion. The Atlantic Forest is one of the most fragmented tropical/subtropical forests in the world, and only around 28% percent of the original forest in Brazil is left, much of it in small, unconnected fragments (Rezende et al. 2018). A population decline was estimated in light of extensive loss of suitable habitat (Rezende et al. 2018) and the putative influence that habitat degradation has on species occupation in a given environment (Berglund and Jonsson 2003, Haddad et al. 2015). Based on this information, we precautionarily assume there has been a habitat loss of at least 10% within the past three generations (20 years) and that this also equates to a population decline of the fungus of at least 10% or more within this timeframe.

Population Trend: decreasing

---

Habitat and Ecology

Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae is characterized as a solitary species occurring in preserved fragments of the subtropical Atlantic Forest (Araucaria mixed forest and dense ombrophilous forest). It is saprotrophic and grows on decaying wood and litter. The species is not difficult to recognize in the field, being highly detectable since its white basidiomes contrast with the litterfall (Trierveiler-Pereira et al. 2014). Since the species occurs on wood debris or litterfall, we estimate that three generations = 20 years (see Dahlberg and Mueller 2011).

---

Threats

The extraction of timber, intensive land use including for tourism, urban expansion, industrialization and fuelwood harvesting are some of the reasons for deforestation in the Atlantic Forest. Only 28% of its natural coverage remains, largely composed of small forest fragments and secondary forests (Tabarelli et al. 2010; Rezende et al. 2018). Changing temperature and rainfall are also causing habitat shifts and alterations. These factors are the biggest threat to Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae, impacting the species directly and indirectly through impacts on its habitat.

---

Conservation Actions

The main action to preserve the species is the protection of its habitat and creation of new conservation areas to harbour the probable microhabitats to which the Atlantic Forest may be restricted in the future. The preservation of pristine forests could be critical for the maintenance of this species, since it has only been found in preserved areas. Also, forest protection policies must be taken to assure that the protected Atlantic Forest areas reach a mature state. More studies are also necessary to better understand the species distribution and ecology and population trends.

---

Use and Trade

No use/trade is known.

---

Source and Citation

Trierveiler-Pereira, L., Vieira de Miranda, M., Baltazar, J.M., Martins da Cunha, K., Alves-Silva, G., Costa-Rezende, D.H., Kossmann, T., Palacio, M. & Drechsler-Santos, E.R. 2022. Blumenavia crucis-hellenicae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T209595437A209597226. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T209595437A209597226.en .Accessed on 2 August 2024

---

• Country occurrence