A previously unregistered mushroom species in Latvia – the Black spot fungus (Abrothallus caerulescens) – has been discovered on the Kalnarāji rock in Ventspils municipality, the Latvian Mycological Society (LMB) reported.
The species was discovered on large rock lichens by LMB member and nature expert Renāte Kaupuža in September 2026, while preparing for the Ziri Mushroom Festival.
In preparation for the festival, the participants went out into nature to collect materials for the exhibition and to study the diversity of mushrooms and lichens in the area. During one of these surveys, Kaupuža focused on lichens on the Kalnarāji giant rock. Looking closely, she noticed tiny black dots on a lichen of the Xanthoparmelia genus. They turned out to be the fruiting bodies of the fungus, which is a parasite living on lichen.
This lichenophilous fungus had not been registered in Latvia before. Lichenophilous fungi are a special group of fungi that live on or in lichens. They also include black dots (Abrothallus) – tiny parasitic fungi that are found on various species of lichens. Although they are parasites, they do not always cause harm to their hosts. Such relationships are part of the natural interaction of organisms and another example of the amazing diversity of nature.
The Kalnarāji find is yet another testament to the importance of collaboration between professional researchers, experienced nature observers, and local residents in nature research – as well as the general Latvian obsession with mushrooms.
Photo: Renāte Kaupuža
zilganā melnpunktīte (Abrothallus caerulescens).
The discoverer of the new species, Renāte Kaupuža, is actively involved in lichen research and public education. She is also involved in the "Latvian Lichens" initiative and the "Nature Speaks, I Listen" association, helping an increasingly wider public learn about this often overlooked natural world.
The LMB encourages nature enthusiasts to take a closer look at lichens, document unusual finds, and consult with specialists about their identification. It is equally important to preserve the places where these organisms live – ancient forests, lichen-covered rocks, old trees, dead wood, and other natural structures, as well as old wooden buildings, which provide a home for many living organisms, the organization pointed out.
Seen a mistake?
Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor
Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor