This species occurs in the severely fragmented Polylepis australis forest of central Argentina. It is known from only one collection, despite much survey effort, and the overall population size is estimated to be extremely small (up to 25-50 mature individuals). Therefore, the species is listed as Critically Endangered.

No synonyms recorded.

This beautiful species was only found in the endangered Polylepis australis forests in central Argentina and its conservation would lead to the preservation of this unique environment and al the endemic species living in this region. Since Kavinia chacoserrana produces its sporomes on woody debris on the soil surface, the influence of alien trees and shrubs might be reflected on its population dynamics.

This species is restricted to the Polylepis australis forests in central Argentina (subtropical Chaquean region in South America).

There has been only one record of this species suggesting that it is rare. Published research indicates that the environment is being altered by invasive tree and shrub species, and this might constitute a problem for this species, and the population is thought to be declining. Assuming that there could be 5 to 10 times as many sites for this species within its restricted habitat, and that each site hosts up to 5 mature individuals, an overall population size of 25-50 mature individuals is estimated, but it could be even lower.

This species is saprotrophic in dry Polylepis australis forests, producing fruiting bodies on pieces of decaying wood.

This species is threatened by the discontinuity of the natural environment (due to agriculture) and invasion by tree and shrub species (specifically Ligustrum lucidum and Pyracantha coccinea) changing the composition of the litter and debris in the soil surface.

Natural reserves are protected against logging and deforestation, however, stronger measures involving citizens are needed against invasive tree and shrub species. Since Polylepis australis is under threat, conservation measures to protect the host would be beneficial.

Research is required to better identify the substrate range for this species, as well as investigating its presence along the patchy distribution of the Polylepis australis forests, and whether it is associated with other Polylepis species.

No uses have been recorded.

Robledo, G.L. and Urcelay, R.C. (2017). Kavinia chacoserrana sp. nov.(Gomphales, Basidiomycota): a new species from South America based on morphological and molecular data. Mycosphere. 8(8), 1028–1034

Renison, D., Cuyckens, G. A., Pacheco, S., Guzmán, G. F., Grau, H. R., Marcora, P., ... & Bellis, L. (2013). Distribución y estado de conservación de las poblaciones de árboles y arbustos del género Polylepis (Rosaceae) en las montañas de Argentina. Ecología austral. 23(1):27-36