Kavinia himantia
Kavinia himantia (Schwein. : Fr.) J. Erikss.
Lentariaceae
Conservation status. Critically Endangered [CR B2ab(i,iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Fruit-bodies fragile, needle-shaped, narrowly conical or threadlike, 1–7 mm high and 0.3–0.5 mm wide, cream, pale yellow to pale grey or brownish, forming loose or dense groups on a white, gossamery subiculum with peripheral rhizomorphs. Spores elongate ellipsoid or almost cylindrical, 10–12 × 3–4 µm, smooth, colourless or pale yellow. IX–III.
Habitats and populations. On dead wood in deciduous (hornbeams – Carpinus, ashes – Fraxinus, willows – Salix) and rarely in coniferous (spruce – Picea) forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Rhodopi Mts (Central – above Brestnik village).
General distribution. Europe, Asia.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by logging, infrastructure development (transport), fires.
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 & Dimcheva 1987b; Gyosheva et al. 2000, 2006.
Author: Melania Gyosheva
