Co-existence and interaction between myxomycetes and other organisms in shared niches

Abstract

The ecology of myxomycetes co existing with the Latridiidae (Coleoptera), bryophytes and ascomycetous, basidiomycetous and anamorphic fungi were studied in Crimea and at different locations on the left bank of Ukraine. Results from the left bank indicate that the Latridiidae feed on myxomycetes. Colonies of the most common 13 myxomycete species (which included Stemonitis axifera (Bull.) Macbr., S. fusca Roth, S. splendens Rost., Fuligo septica (L.) Wigg. and Mucilago crustacea Wigg.) were inhabited by 5 species of the Latridiidae. Myxomycete spores were present in guts of 19 of the 25 beetle specimens investigated. Beetles Latridius hirtus, Enicmus rugosus and E fungicola seem to be obligate myxomycete feeders, while Corticarina truncatella was clearly facultative. 13 species of myxomycetes were recorded on 9 species of moss and 3 species of liverwort developing on decaying wood or bark in the Crimean Nature Reserve. Relations between myxomycetes and bryophytes on woody substrata are spatial rather than trophic, and are possibly regulated by specific microclimatic conditions inside bryophyte thallomes. 69 species of myxomycetes were found co existing with 36 species of ascomycetes, 21 species of basidiomycetes and 9 species of anamorphic fungi in the Crimean Nature Reserve. Associations formed by myxomycetes and fungi on different woody substrata are analyzed.

Myxomycetes of the National Nature Park Slobozhanskiy (Ukraine): biodiversity and noteworthy species

“…The last trend is formed by Arcyodes incarnata, Physarum notabile and P. leucophaeu, which were collected on fruitbodies of corticioid and aphyllophoroid fungi. These species are not reported as fungivorous, so the substrate for their sporulation observed by us here could be accidental (Ing 1994, Dudka andRomanenko 2006). Interestingly, Nannenga-Bremekamp has mentioned A. incarnata as "collected from mouldy wood and from the bark of dead trees" which also may point at the association of this species with fungi.…”

The roles of myxomycetes in ecosystems

“…19,20 13 species of myxomycetes were recorded on 9 species of moss and 3 species of liverwort associated with woody substrata in Crimean Nature Reserve. 13 Woody substrata covered with bryophytes provide favorable conditions for development of slime molds, particularly on account of the fact that their highly humid myxomycetes and bryophytes are purely accidental, arising due to slime molds, and bryophytes are both well-adapted to develop on the same substrata (bark or wood), where slime molds can complete their full life cycle from plasmodia to sporophores stages. This function benefits not only the myxomycetes but also the bacteria, algae and protozoa on which they feed.…”

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“…It is possible that a Biotic Pollution Index could be developed using myxomycete species clusters and species richness associated with bark pH values taken from different living tree species. 13 Young aethalia of Reticularia lycoperdon, and Fuligo septica plasmodium were used as a human nutrient in Mexico. 14,15 It is referred to by the popular name of "caca de luna" or translated into English as "feces of the moon."…”

“…This function benefits not only the myxomycetes but also the bacteria, algae and protozoa on which they feed. 13,21,22 The myxomycetes produce sporophores and aethalia from plasmodia in drier areas on the bryophyte open surfaces. Bryophytes associated with myxomycetes, thus seem neither to benefit nor be damaged by them.…”

“…Insects may be either obligate or facultative feeders on slime molds; and the relations between slime molds and wood-inhabiting fungi are neutral. 13…”