Tulostoma kotlabae
Local name: Dünen-Stielbovist
Dünen-Stielbovist (Tulostoma kotlabae) is a rare stalked puffball fungus characterized by its distinctive spherical spore-bearing head mounted on a slender, woody stem. This specialized fungus plays a crucial ecological role in sandy coastal ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and forming mycorrhizal associations with drought-adapted plants.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Xymene iv, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Xymene iv
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Agaricales
Family
Agaricaceae
Genus
Tulostoma
Tulostoma kotlabae belongs to the family Agaricaceae, order Agaricales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Dünen-Stielbovist (Tulostoma kotlabae) is a rare stalked puffball fungus characterized by its distinctive spherical spore-bearing head mounted on a slender, woody stem. This specialized fungus plays a crucial ecological role in sandy coastal ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and forming mycorrhizal associations with drought-adapted plants.
Tulostoma kotlabae is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal dune ecosystems. The species faces severe pressure from coastal development, tourism infrastructure, and recreational activities that disturb the fragile sand dune environments it depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Tulostoma kotlabae inhabits stabilized coastal sand dunes and sandy grasslands, typically growing in open areas with sparse vegetation and well-drained, calcareous soils. The species requires specific microclimate conditions found in mature dune systems with minimal disturbance.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Tulostoma kotlabae is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal dune ecosystems. The species faces severe pressure from coastal development, tourism infrastructure, and recreational activities that disturb the fragile sand dune environments it depends on for survival.
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat fragmentation of dune systems
Tourism and recreational pressure
Climate change and sea level rise
Sand extraction and mining
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Tulostoma kotlabae (Tulostoma kotlabae). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dunen-stielbovist