Scientific name

Meliola bixae Hansf. [IndexFungorum. Index of Fungi 2: 214]

Synonyms

None noted.

Vernacular names

None known.

Taxonomic position

Meliolaceae, Meliolales, Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota, Fungi.

Red List assessment

Data Deficient [possibly Least Concern] [IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: version 3.1. Level: global].

Rationale

This evaluation is based on 16 records [breakdown: Cybernome (1 record); IndexFungorum (1 record); other catalogues (1 record)]. There are 5 records with dates, the earliest 1908 (the species was first described in 1955), the most recent 1968. Of dated records, 20% are post 1960. This species is recorded from 4 countries distributed through 2 continents and regions. This fungus is known to occur in association with 2 other species belonging in 2 genera. This species is widely distributed and associated with more than one other genus. Although there are few records, they include an appreciable proportion made after 1960, suggesting that an evaluation of 'Least Concern' might be appropriate.

Reasons for change from previous assessment

None: not previously assessed.

Date of assessment

29 November 2025.

Name/s of the assessor/s

D.W. Minter

Text documentation

Taxonomy. No comment. Geographical distribution. Bolivia; Brazil (Amazonas, Pará); Puerto Rico; Virgin Islands (unspecified). IUCN area statistics [km²] AOO EOO Pre-1961 16 2,567,546 1961-2000 4 insufficient data Post-2000 0 0 Associated organisms and substrata [IUCN Red List status, if known]. Plantae (part): Bixa orellana L. [LC] (leaf). Habitat and ecology. Threats. Climate change. Not known. Habitat destruction. Not known. Persecution. Not known. Pollution. Not known. Population. Not known. With no direct information, observation frequency over time, if available, can be considered as a proxy to infer current population trend; for species associated with trees, loss of woodland cover over time is another possible proxy. Observation frequency over time. The species was first described in 1955. There are 5 datable records of this species. The earliest is 1908 and the most recent is 1968. The profile of dated records is: pre-1961 (4); 1961-2000 (1); post-2000 (0). Observations have declined sharply. Loss of tree cover over time. This species occurs associated with trees in the following countries (percentage loss of tree cover between 2001 and 2024 in brackets): Bolivia (15%); Brazil (14%); Puerto Rico (15%); Virgin Islands (unspecified) (no information) [figures from 'Forest change' tab of Global Forest Watch]. Current trend (inferred). Long-term steep decline possibly driven by habitat destruction. The small number of datable records makes this inference very uncertain. Conservation actions (in situ). None known. Conservation actions (ex situ). Culture collections. Straininfo: check current status. Genome banks. European Nucleotide Archive: check current status; NCBI: check current status. Economic impacts (positive). Bioremediation. None known. Biotechnology. None known. Cultural. None known. Ecosystem services. None known. Feed (animals). None known. Food (human). None known. Medical/veterinary. None known. Economic impacts (negative). Biodeterioration. None known. Disease. None known. Invasiveness. None known.