CRCritically Endangered

flodtagging

Peniophorella echinocystis

Peniophorella echinocystis is a rare corticioid fungus characterized by its thin, cream-colored to pale ochre fruiting bodies that form resupinate crusts on decaying hardwood substrates. The species is distinguished by its distinctive spiny cystidia and small, ellipsoid spores, making it easily recognizable under microscopic examination.

01Classification

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Hymenochaetales

Family

Rickenellaceae

Genus

Peniophorella

flodtagging belongs to the family Rickenellaceae, order Hymenochaetales, within the Agaricomycetes class.

02Description

Species Profile

Peniophorella echinocystis is a rare corticioid fungus characterized by its thin, cream-colored to pale ochre fruiting bodies that form resupinate crusts on decaying hardwood substrates. The species is distinguished by its distinctive spiny cystidia and small, ellipsoid spores, making it easily recognizable under microscopic examination. As a saprobic decomposer, it plays a crucial role in breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients in forest ecosystems.

Peniophorella echinocystis, a critically endangered corticioid fungus, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation in its limited range. The species' highly specific substrate requirements and narrow ecological niche make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.

Key Facts

IUCN StatusCritically Endangered (CR)
GroupFungi
03Habitat

Habitat & Distribution

This species inhabits the undersides of fallen logs and branches of mature deciduous trees, particularly oak and beech, in old-growth and semi-natural forest environments. It requires consistently moist conditions and is typically found in shaded forest floors where humidity levels remain stable throughout the year.

TERRESTRIALMajor
04Threats

Threats

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IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Peniophorella echinocystis, a critically endangered corticioid fungus, faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation in its limited range. The species' highly specific substrate requirements and narrow ecological niche make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.

Forest fragmentation

HighOngoing

Habitat loss and deforestation

HighOngoing

Limited dispersal ability and small population size

HighOngoing

Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems

MediumOngoing

Substrate specificity making it vulnerable to host tree decline

MediumOngoing
Community

Community Sightings

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07Sources

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). flodtagging (Peniophorella echinocystis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/flodtagging

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