Rare 'great puma' fungus rediscovered after 40 years in Chile

It is small, has a distinct black color, and is "the only species of its kind." The fungus Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensi has been elusive since at least 1982 and was considered extinct until now because this unique specimen has reappeared.

Officially, the fungus Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensi was discovered in 1982 during the first and only observation of this species. During one of the expeditions to the mountainous forests of southern Chile, it was discovered by microbiologist Norberto Garrido, reports the NewScientist portal. The scientist collected a total of over 200 different species, but one turned out to be special.

Named by Garrido as the "great puma" fungus, it was only described a few years later, in 1988. Its unofficial name comes from the place where Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensi was found – the Nahuelbuta range, which in the local language means "range of large pumas".

Norberto Garrido emphasized the unique color of the fungus A. nahuelbutensi. It is a combination of grey-brown with a touch of red. Its cap has a small depression in the middle and white gills underneath. Generally, A. nahuelbutensi is a relatively small fungus. According to Garrido's findings, it reaches a maximum height of 2 inches, and its stem is thicker at the base.

Daniela Torres of the Fungi Foundation in Chile emphasizes the uniqueness of this fungus. "It is the only species of its kind, making it extraordinary," she explains.

Given how rare the fungus Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensi is, Daniela Torres' team embarked on an expedition to find traces of this unique "inhabitant" of the Chilean forests. The expedition ended positively – scientists found a specimen in the Nahuelbuta range that had been considered extinct until now. At the same time, it is the first time since 1982 that this species has been identified.

Scientists still have a lot of work ahead. First of all, they must determine what role A. nahuelbutensi plays in the area where it is found. The discovery could also contribute to gaining knowledge about when this species appeared on Earth, how numerous its representatives are, and what threats they face.