Assessment Notes

Justification

This species has only been reported from the Guaribas Biological Reserve, and it could be very highly restricted. However, the probable mycorrhizal host plants have very wide ranges, which could encompass a large part of the Neotropics. Therefore, it is plausible that this species could fall in any Red List category from Critically Endangered to Least Concern. Thus it has been assessed as Data Deficient.

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Geographic range

This species has only been found in the Guaribas Biological Reserve, Paraiba, Brazil.

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Population and Trends

Only two collections have been reported, both close to each other. Mycorrhizal fungi can have relatively large individuals, especially in the family Boletaceae, where wide rhizomorph systems are documented. The population size of this species is difficult to asses since it is only known from the original publication. Hypogeous fungi have historically not been well researched in this ecosystem, and this species may have been overlooked. Given that the distribution of its probable hosts extend over much of the Neotropics, Longistriata flava may be under-sampled but broadly distributed.

Population Trend: unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

This species is mycorrhizal with tropical ectomycorrhizal plants, probably with genera Coccoloba (Polygonaceae) and Guapira (Nyctaginaceae), which are ectomycorrhizal hosts throughout the Neotropics. Sulzbacher et al. (2020) indicate that this species is hypogeous to subhypogeous, and could occur as solitary or scattered individuals. It has been collected under fallen leaves among trees in Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest (Sulzbacher et al. 2020). Specimens of this species were found "in silicate silt to sandy soils, with moderately low pH (4.5–5.5), low available nutrients and low water capacity" (Sulzbacher et al. 2020).

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Threats

Urbanization and logging in the general area around the known site are leading to a reduction of the native forest.

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Conservation Actions

The Guaribas Biological Reserve is protected with a high priority status. The reserve is strict and logging is not allowed any more in this area. Habitat restoration and protection in the wider area around this site would probably benefit this species, and a range of other taxa. Research into the wider distribution pattern and molecular confirmation of the ectomycorrhizal partner would help in future assessments of the species' conservation status. Research into the dispersal of this species (e.g. if it is dispersed by animals) could also benefit its conservation.

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Use and Trade

There are no reported uses.

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Source and Citation

Kuhar, F., Pfister, D. & Truong, C. 2020. Longistriata flava. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T172741050A172861232. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T172741050A172861232.en .Accessed on 31 January 2022

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• Country occurrence