Blacktail spurdog vs Common Fieldcap

Squalus melanurus compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

• Blacktail spurdog is Data Deficient while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blacktail spurdog	Common Fieldcap
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Elasmobranchii	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Squaliformes (Squaliformes)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Squalidae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Squalus	Agrocybe
Species	Squalus melanurus	Agrocybe pediades

Conservation Status

Blacktail spurdog

DD — Data Deficient

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Blacktail spurdog	Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blacktail spurdog

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Blacktail spurdog

The Blacktail spurdog (Squalus melanurus) is a species in the genus Squalus. It is currently classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Common Fieldcap

The Common Fieldcap (<em>Agrocybe pediades</em>) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the genus Agrocybe within the family Strophariaceae. It typically produces small, tan to pale brown cap-shaped fruiting bodies and is often found growing in clusters or scattered on lawns, grassy areas, forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil-rich ecosystems. The species typically inhabits forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Its geographic range includes several European countries — Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — as well as the United States in North America. <em>Agrocybe pediades</em> is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent stability. Biological traits of this species, including specific data on fruiting body size, lifespan, and ecological preferences, remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of its genus, it typically fruits during warmer months and often appears after rainfall in nutrient-rich grassland and woodland habitats.