Albatrellus pes-caprae
Albatrellus pes-caprae (Pers. : Fr.) Pouzar
Albatrellaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,ii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-body composed of cap and stipe, resembling a cracked hoof. Cap subglobose, often kidney-shaped, divided into two lobes by a deep furrow extending towards the base, 5–15(20) cm in diameter, light, chestnut to dark brown, densely fibrillose, cracked. Tubes short, decurrent, white, yellowish to light brown. Pores wide, hexagonal, concolorous with the tubes. Stipe cylindrical or thickened at base, often eccentric, 2–5 × 1.5–3(4) cm, yellowish, brownish at base, at first nude then scaly. Flesh creamy, lemon yellow when cut. Spores broadly ellipsoid or ovoid, 8–11 × 6–8 µm; smooth, colourless. Fruit-bodies single. VII-X.
Habitats and populations. In coniferous (spruce – Picea, pines – Pinus, fire – Abies) and mixed (pines – Pinus, and beech – Fagus) forests, mainly on acid and sandy soils. The regional population is presented by a small number of localities. Up to date only two localities have been established.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Belasitsa Mt. (Kongura Strict Nature Reserve), Rila Mts (above Sestrimo village), Rhodopi Mts (Central – near Zdravets hut and Byala Cherkva rest home).
General distribution. Europe, North America.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by selective logging, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure, fires, soil pollution.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the population numbers and range; better understanding of the species biology and ecology; conservation of the habitats; regular monitoring.
References. Stoichev & Stefanov 1983; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006; Assyov et al., 2010.
Authors: Melania Gyosheva & Georgi T. Stoichev
