Projected AOO of Fistulinella wolfeana is 5000 km, if 1.1% deforestation rate in Mexico southeastern continue (Díaz-Gallegos et al 2010) it population could decrease 30% in 30 years, the life span of 3 generations (cf. Dahlberg & Mueller, 2011). With this deforestation rates, within 50 years the AOO of the species will be less than 2000 km2 with very poor habitat quality due to fragmentation. In consequence it is assessed as Near threatened A3c, B2b(ii,iii).

Fistulinella wolfeana can be confused Tylopilus because both genera have rose tubes and pinkish pores, which change to orange or ochraceous reddish when touched. Tylopilus indecisus has a pale brown slightly reticulated stipe and thin spores (10.5-15.5 × 3.5-4.5). Tylopilus plumbeoviolaceus has a very bitter taste and reticulated stipe surface. Tylopilus subcellulosus has narrower and shorter spores (9.5-12 × 3.5-4) and bitter taste. Additionally F. wolfeana has a viscid pileus, while all Tylopilus have pileus with subtomentosus, glabrous or smooth dry surface (Robles-García et al. 2016).

Fistulinella wolfeana is a common and conspicuous bolete endemic to eastern and southeastern Mexico. It develops in subtropical Quercus and Quercus-Pinus mixed forests. Mexico has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, and subtropical oak and oak-pine mixed forests are rapidly disappearing and very fragmented. Even while the EOO if the species is large, its habitat is very fragmented and the projected AOO will approach the vulnerable category in the near future. Projected AOO of Fistulinella wolfeana is 5000 km, if 1.1% deforestation rate in Mexico southeastern continues its population could decrease 30% in 30 years, the life span of 3 generations. With this deforestation rates, within 50 years the AOO of the species will be less than 2000 km2 with very poor habitat quality due to fragmentation. In consequence it is assessed as Near threatened A3c, B2b(ii,iii).

Fistulinella wolfeana is only known from eastern and southeastern Mexico, mainly in the Eje Neovolcánico Transversal, and part of the Sierra Madre del Sur, in the states of Jalisco, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Morelos, Queretaro and Oaxaca. It distributes in an altitude range of 1500-2300 m. Its know EOO is around 150,000 km2. Known subpopulations occupy and AOO of 1000 km2. Considering a five-fold increase its AOO rises to 5000 km2.

There are 10 known subpopulations of F. wolfeana in Mexico. Five of them are located in Jalisco state; two of them the Bosque de la primavera and Zapopan subpopulations are in severe risk since they are threatened by the continuous hurbanization of Guadalajara city and yearly fires. The other three subpopulations (Tecatitlán, Volcán de colima and Atemajac) seem to be in good shape of conservation. In the state of Queretaro there is a subpopulation in the large and conserved area of el Zamorano, while the population in Amealco is severely fragmented. The subpopulation of nanchititla in the Estado de México is in good shape. In the state of oaxaca are two known subpopulations, one severy fragmented in San Antonio de la Cal and one in a large forest are in Sierra Mixe. Given the large EOO of the species it is likelly that it may have up to 50 potential subpopulations, however given the severe deforestation and fragmentation they are small and declining.

Solitary and scattered. Fruits on ground in Quercus and mixed Quercus-Pinus forests. Altitude 1500-2300 m. Presumably ectomycorrhizal with Quercus liebmanii, Q. scytophylla and other Quercus spp (Villanueva et al 2008).

Mexico has one of the highest deforestation rates worldwide. Temperate forests are ecosystems with high deforestation because of land-use change to agricultural or urban areas. At least halve of the subpopulations of F. wolfeana are threatened because forest deforestation, fragmentation and yearly fires due to their proximity to urban areas.

Fistulinella wolfeana is not listed in any national or international Redlist. It is necessary to protect and enforce the conservation of areas like Bosque de la Primavera. This area is a natural protected area but huge intentional fires happen yearly and there resides one of the biggest F. wolfeana subpopulations.

No DNA sequences of the species are available on GenBank. DNA information is needed to broaden the sampling of the species and to locate more viable populations.

Fistulinella wolfeana is marketed as an edible mushroom by Otomi people in Amealco municipality in the state of Queretaro.

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