vs Oso Polar

Clitocybe menthiodora compared with Ursus maritimus

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Oso Polar is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Oso Polar
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Chordata (cordados)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Mammalia (mamíferos)
Order	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)	Carnivora (carnívoros)
Family	Tricholomataceae	Ursidae (Bears)
Genus	Clitocybe	Ursus (Bears)
Species	Clitocybe menthiodora	Ursus maritimus

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Oso Polar

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Oso Polar
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	25 years
Average Length	—	2.4 m
Average Weight	—	450.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Oso Polar

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Clitocybe menthiodora is a distinctive agaric fungus in the family Tricholomataceae, named for its notable minty or anise-like odor — the species epithet combining 'mentha' (mint) and 'odora' (fragrant) — which serves as a useful field identification character. It inhabits temperate European woodlands and forest margins, fruiting among leaf litter and soil organic matter in autumn. The cap is typically depressed to broadly funnel-shaped, pale greyish or whitish, with crowded, decurrent gills characteristic of the Clitocybe genus. The pleasant aromatic scent distinguishes it from the similarly structured but odorless or fetid species in the genus. Several Clitocybe species are known for distinctive odors, including anise, honey, and meal-like scents, which are attributed to volatile aromatic compounds produced during fruiting. While some fragrant Clitocybe species are edible, others contain muscarine or other toxins, and identification must be thorough. C. menthiodora is a saprotrophic decomposer playing a role in nutrient cycling in European temperate forest ecosystems.

Oso Polar

El mayor carnivoro terrestre de la Tierra, el oso polar puede superar los 700 kg y se encuentra en el hielo marino del Artico, desde Canada hasta Rusia. Es un mamifero marino altamente especializado que depende del hielo marino para cazar focas anilladas y barbadas. Excelente nadador capaz de cubrir grandes distancias en agua abierta. Clasificado como Vulnerable, sus poblaciones soportan una presion severa por la rapida perdida de hielo marino artico debida al cambio climatico.