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.

No synonyms recorded.

This rare species belonging to a monotypical genus was found in the Guaraibas reserve, a hot spot of biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest in transition with the Caatinga and the Cerrado ecosystems. Since one of the biggest conservation issues of this ecosystem was the logging, we think that the conservation of one of the few ectomycorrhizal species detected in this area would make a big difference, pointing to the preservation of the whole system.

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

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.

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).

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

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.

There are no reported uses.

Sulzbacher, M.A., Orihara, T., Grebenc, T., Wartchow, F., Smith, M.E., Martín, M.P., Giachini, A.J. and Baseia, I.G. (2020). Longistriata flava (Boletaceae, Basidiomycota)–a new monotypic sequestrate genus and species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest. MycoKeys, 62, 53.

Ribeiro, M. C., Metzger, J. P., Martensen, A. C., Ponzoni, F. J., & Hirota, M. M. (2009). The Brazilian Atlantic Forest: How much is left, and how is the remaining forest distributed? Implications for conservation. Biological conservation, 142(6), 1141-1153.