BRIG 22
19 July 2010
BAP priority species review
Southern oyster mushroom beetle (Triplax lacordairii)
For other BRIG papers and minutes of BRIG meetings visit
http:// www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5700
For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) visit
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-5155
BAP PRIORITY SPECIES REVIEW
Assessment form for non-marine invertebrates
Ref. no. (Office use)
/KA-01
/Date of submission
/06/04/2010
Species’ name
Order and family
Checklist used /Triplax lacordairii Southern oyster mushroom beetle
Coleoptera: Erotylidae
www.coleopterist.org.uk
Contributor’s name
Affiliation
Contact no./address /Keith Alexander
Ancient Tree Forum
59 Sweetbrier Lane, Exeter EX1 3AQ – 01392 413092
Consultee(s)
Affiliation(s)
/UK distribution /
Thames, Solent & Severn Basins – all England
Population size /Very fragmented distribution, with small isolated populations
Current UK/GB status /RDB3
Existing BAP priority /Yes
/No X
CRITERION 1International threat
/Global threat
/Suitable old decaying host trees are being lost throughout the range
European threat
/Suitable old decaying host trees are being lost throughout the range
Supporting/ additional information
/EN Endangered in IUCN European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles 2010
CRITERION 2International responsibility +
decline in UK
/
a) UK population
/% of global pop.
/High
/% of Euro-
pean pop. /High
Supporting/
additional information
/UK has more ancient trees and ancient wood pasture/old growth habitat than any other NW Euro country, so high proportion of Euro population can be assumed
b) Decline
/%
/High
/No. of yrs.
/ /Dates
/Supporting/
additional information
/Continued loss of habitat must be eroding population very significantly; Severn Basin population appears extinct; Thames Basin population in severe decline – most recent records from Blean 1971 and Ham Street 1990; known from 17 hectads in England, but only 7 with records from 1975 to date – decline >50% & especially severe in Kent
CRITERION 3
Marked decline in UK
/ Decline /%
/High
/No. of yrs.
/ /Dates
/Supporting/ additional information
/Continued loss of habitat must be eroding population very significantly. See also 2b.
CRITERION 4
Other important factor(s) /Large old trees are needed to produce suitable decaying wood for host fungi; host fungi – oyster mushrooms – are very edible and so host populations potentially being seriously reduced by forays
Data and informa-tion / Source(s) / UK literature and Invertebrate Site RegisterQuality / Known from a range of old wood pasture/old growth sites across southern England; ecological knowledge very poor
Gaps / No information available on host tree/ oyster mushroom/ beetle relationships nor on impact of mushroom picking
Criteria satisfied / 1
2
3
4 / Yes X
Yes X Yes X Yes X / No No
No
No / Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Needs of species / Main requirements / Plentiful supply of old trees producing good fruiting of oyster mushroom on deadwood
Priority habitat(s) / Ancient wood pastures
Threats to species / Loss of old trees and deadwood; poor recruitment of new generations of suitable trees; mushroom picking; poor understanding of ecological relationships by managers and their advisers
Action
required / Review of existing data; survey of known sites and other likely places to determine continued presence, status and habitat structure associations; assessment of local impact of mushroom picking; liaison with site managers to develop conservation plansComment
1