Gastrosporium simplex: Ein pannonischer Steppenpilz aus dem Nordtiroler Karwendel-Gebirge

Gastrosporium simplex (‘steppe truffle’) is a rare, hypogeous to epigeous, endangered
gastroid fungus belonging to the Gastrosporiaceae (Phallales, Agaricomycetes, Basidio
mycota) family. Previously found in the Pannonian region of Austria, it has now been
discovered in the Fragenstein nature reserve near Zirl on the south-western edge of the
Karwendel mountains, marking its first recorded occurrence in North Tyrol. The fun
gus’s occurrence is limited to a small area of dry, south-facing limestone grassland,
which is part of a xerothermic habitat in succession from former sheep and goat grazing
land. The most important characteristics of the fungus (fruit body, rhizomorphs, basi
dia and spores), as determined by macro- and microscopic examination, correspond to
species descriptions of G. simplex from other regions in Eurasia, as well as from the
American continent. Molecular rDNA data confirm its affiliation with this species, and
a phylogenetic tree calculation including related species shows that G. simplex, together with G. gossypinum, forms a monophyletic family within the order Phallales (Agaricomycetes). Although G. simplex is found worldwide, it is globally considered a near threatened species which is endangered with extinction in some European countries
(https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/63579691/63579694#population). This is due to
the fact that the fungus usually forms only small populations within fragmented,
xerothermic dry grassland habitats, which are declining and particularly susceptible to
human impact.