Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 232533272

Securing the Future: Field Monitoring and Ex-situ Conservation of the Critically Endangered Fungus Fomitiporia nubicola from the Cloud Forests

This project aims to give support for the conservation of the Critically Endangered species F. nubicola. We will monitor the species and its host species in situ and study the range of the largest known subpopulation. Also, we will set up a culture collection with multiple genetic profiles focused on long-time conservation for future spawn production and reintroduction. To achieve these objectives, field expeditions will be carried out in the SJNP, as well as adjacent locations with the occurrence of its host, D. angustifolia, with the aim of determining the limits of the subpopulation distribution. During these expeditions, at least 10 individuals of F. nubicola will be tagged and georeferenced. Future field surveys will be conducted every two months to monitor the basidiomata growth and the evolution of its host decay over 1.5 years. To ensure minimal damage to the specimens, only small portions of the specimens' hymenophore will be extracted for in-vitro preparations. The cultures will be subjected to various preservation techniques, with the aim of assessing their viability, characterization, and preparation for future spawn production and reintroduction activities.