Rediscovering the Rare ‘Big Puma Fungus’: A Conservation Breakthrough for Chile’s Mountains

A rare mushroom native to Chile’s mountains, known as the big puma fungus, has been rediscovered after more than 40 years since its last sighting in 1982. The fungus was originally found by mycologist Norberto Garrido during expeditions to the Nahuelbuta mountain range in southern Chile, where he collected over 200 species of fungi.

Garrido formally described the big puma fungus in 1988, noting its unique grey-brown color with a hint of red, white gills, and a slight depression in the middle of the cap. Standing at 4 to 5 centimeters tall, this fungus is the only species in its genus, making it especially significant to researchers like Daniela Torres at the Fungi Foundation in Chile.

Given that the big puma fungus had not been seen since its initial discovery, Torres and her team embarked on a search mission in the Nahuelbuta mountains last May. After a week of searching, they finally found a patch of mushrooms that matched Garrido’s description, confirming through DNA analysis that they had indeed rediscovered the elusive fungus.

The team now aims to study the big puma fungus further to determine its conservation status and ensure its protection. According to Torres, fungi play a crucial role in the ecosystem, with 90% of plants depending on them to survive. By including fungi in conservation efforts, researchers can better understand and protect these important organisms for the benefit of ecosystems and human activities like agriculture and brewing.