MIND.Funga – Monitoring and Inventorying Neotropical Diversity of Fungi

Laetiporus squalidus is a saprobic lignicolous fungi species that causes brown rot. There are just two occurrences for the species, both located in high-elevation environments, inside the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It is estimated that the species occurs throughout the Atlantic Forest, especially in high-altitude areas, such as the Serra do Mar region. Even with the actual low deforestation rates, the Atlantic Forest was historically impacted by anthropogenic activities, being mainly composed of small fragments and secondary vegetation. Furthermore, the montane regions of the Atlantic Forest, such as the cloud forests, are especially fragile and threatened because of their naturally fragmented distribution and dependence on highly specific climate conditions. Based on the threats to L. squalidus population, the species was assessed as Vulnerable, based on the IUCN criteria.

 

References

• Drechsler-Santos, E.R., Kossmann, T., Bittencourt, F., Oliveira, C. & da Cunha, K.M. 2020. Laetiporus squalidus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T187000831A187004590. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T187000831A187004590.en. Downloaded on 24 February 2021.