Fused Tooth
VU

Fused Tooth

Phellodon confluens

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phellodon_confluens

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Phellodon confluens faces severe decline due to old-growth forest destruction and fragmentation across the Pacific Northwest. The species' obligate mycorrhizal relationships with ancient conifers make it extremely vulnerable to logging operations that remove mature forest stands. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition, alters soil chemistry and disrupts the delicate fungal networks essential for this species' survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This tooth fungus inhabits mature and old-growth coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, forming essential mycorrhizal partnerships with Douglas fir, western hemlock, and other ancient conifers. It requires undisturbed forest floors with deep organic layers and stable soil fungal networks that can take decades to establish.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Thelephoraceae

Woolly ToothVU

Woolly Tooth

Phellodon tomentosus

Unknown
VU

Upper Crust

Amaurodon cyaneus

Unknown
VU

Pseudotomentella nigra

Unknown
Grey ToothEN

Grey Tooth

Phellodon melaleucus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fused Tooth classified as Vulnerable?
Fused Tooth is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Phellodon confluens faces severe decline due to old-growth forest destruction and fragmentation across the Pacific Northwest. The species' obligate mycorrhizal relationships with ancient conifers make it extremely vulnerable to logging operations that remove mature forest stands. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition, alters soil chemistry and disrupts the delicate fungal networks essential for this species' survival.
Where does Fused Tooth live?
Fused Tooth occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Fused Tooth?
The main threats to Fused Tooth are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.