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IUCN SSC Cup-fungi, Truffles and Allies Specialist Group
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Cup-fungi, Truffles and Allies Specialist Group

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Group leadership

Dr Melissa MARDONES HIDALGO
Co-Chair

Melissa Mardones is a mycologist, focused on the study of the diversity of fungi in Costa Rica and the taxonomy and systematics of ascomycetes, mainly plant parasitic fungi. She is a researcher and associate professor at the Department of Biology, and curator of the Fungal Collection at the Herbarium USJ, at the University of Costa Rica.

Melissa Mardones is a mycologist, focused on the study of the diversity of fungi in Costa Rica and the taxonomy and systematics of ascomycetes, mainly plant parasitic fungi. She is a researcher and ...

MISSION
Promote the conservation of ascomycete fungi by raising awareness that they have vital roles as nutrient recyclers, mutualistic symbionts of animals and plants, and as checks and balances in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and that like animals, plants and other fungi, they are endangered by climate change, habitat destruction, persecution and pollution.

Specialist Group work

We plan to have the basic infrastructure within IUCN to enable the conservation of ascomycete fungi to be promoted, with global Red List evaluations for at least 150 species. 

Conservation Assessments

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Evaluate non-lichen-forming ascomycetes for the IUCN Red List, particularly those with human food value.

Annual Report

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Geoglossum cookeanum. Photo by IUCN SSC Cup-fungi, Truffles and their Allies 

Photo: IUCN SSC Cup-fungi, Truffles and their Allies

Field image of stroma of Hypocreopsis rhododendri [preliminary assessment, Vulnerable], on bark of Corylus avellana, Pembrokeshire, UK. (Bar = approx. 10 mm) 

Photo: IUCN SSC Cup-fungi, Truffles and their Allies

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