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Liceales. Cribrariaceae. 1. Cribraria intricata, stalked sporocarp (DM). Specimen LE259415. 2. Long stalked sporocarp of C. microcarpa (DM). LE221445. 3. Sporocarps of C. confusa with a ball of remaining spore mass inside the peridial net (DM). LEmc19473. 4. Peridial net of C. confusa seen with SEM. Sc5461. 5–6. C. microcarpa. LE45995. 5. Sporotheca (SEM). 6. Thickened node of peridial capillitium stuffed with granular deposits (SEM). 7. Pseudoaethalium of Lindbladia tubulina (field image). LE251968. Enteridiaceae. 8–9. Lycogala epidendrum. LE47572. 8. Developing aethalia (field image). 9. Pseudocapillitium (SEM). Liceaceae. 10. Licea kleistobolus. Colony of sessile sporocarps developing in
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Ce rapport détaille les différents suivsi qui ont eu lieu sur la réserve naturelle nationale du Pinail. Il concerne de nombreux taxons (faune, flore, fonge, myxomycètes)
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... According to the classification of Ainsworth [1] , true slime molds, also known as plasmodial slime molds, were placed in the protozoa group, commonly known as Mycetozoa. The characterized fructification of these fungal groups permitted several studies on their ecology and distribution for over 200 years [2] . The protoplasm of these extinct microbes, known as eucaryotes, moves in a shuttle-like manner to produce multinucleate, coenocytic, saprobic plasmodium. ...
This study introduces two new protozoan and fungal species for the first time to the Egyptian environment. The first one is myxomycetous, Lepidoderma carestianum and the second is the ascomycetous; Arthrinium bambusicola. The sporocarp of L. carestianum was discovered attached to the soil surface while, A. bambusicola was found growing saprophytically on the dead branch of a tree. Both specimens were transferred to the laboratory to be cultivated as pure cultures and subjected to identification process; morphologically and genetically.
... These fructifications can be seen as auxiliary structures that ensure the release of meiotic airborne spores and complete the myxomycete life cycle (Schnittler et al. 2012). In most species, these are sporocarps 0.5-3 mm in size, which develop from a plasmodium and occur in colonies (typically 50-1000) that cover several twigs of a shrub or litter (typically 10-20 cm 2 ). ...
Spore size enables dispersal in plasmodial slime molds (Myxomycetes) and is an important taxonomic character. We recorded size and the number of nuclei per spore for 39 specimens (colonies of 50–1000 sporocarps) of the nivicolous myxomycete Physarum albescens, a morphologically defined taxon with several biological species. For each colony, three sporocarps were analyzed from the same spore mount under brightfield and DAPI-fluorescence, recording ca. 14,000 spores per item. Diagrams for spore size distribution showed narrow peaks of mostly uninucleate spores. Size was highly variable within morphospecies (10.6–13.5 µm, 11–13%), biospecies (3–13%), even within spatially separated colonies of one clone (ca. 8%); but fairly constant for a colony (mean variation 0.4 µm, ca. 1.5%). ANOVA explains most of this variation by the factor locality (within all colonies: 32.7%; within a region: 21.4%), less by biospecies (13.5%), whereas the contribution of intra-colony variation was negligible (<0.1%). Two rare aberrations occur: 1) multinucleate spores and 2) oversized spores with a double or triple volume of normal spores. Both are not related to each other or limited to certain biospecies. Spore size shows high phenotypic plasticity, but the low variation within a colony points to a strong genetic background.
... Ph. albescens was sampled throughout the Northern Hemisphere to cover a maximum of intraspecific variation (Rocky Mountains, German and French Alps, Khibine Mountains of the Kola Peninsula, Northern Caucasus, Spanish Sierra Nevada, Kamchatka, see Supplement 1A and Supplement 1B). The life cycle of Ph. albescens involves the formation of a colony of usually stalked sporocarps (Schnittler et al., 2012;Stephenson & Schnittler, 2017), each containing between 0.5 to 2.5 million spores (Schnittler & Tesmer, 2008). For each colony, spores of five sporocarps were analyzed. ...
Measuring spore size is a standard method for the description of fungal taxa, but in manual microscopic analyses the number of spores that can be measured and information on their morphological traits are typically limited. To overcome this weakness we present a method to analyze the size and shape of large numbers of spherical bodies, such as spores or pollen, by using inexpensive equipment. A spore suspension mounted on a slide is treated with a low-cost, high-vibration device to distribute spores uniformly in a single layer without overlap. Subsequently, 10,000 to 50,000 objects per slide are measured by automated image analysis. The workflow involves (1) slide preparation, (2) automated image acquisition by light microscopy, (3) filtering to separate high-density clusters, (4) image segmentation by applying a machine learning software, Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA), and (5) statistical evaluation of the results. The technique produced consistent results and compared favorably with manual measurements in terms of precision. Moreover, measuring spore size distribution yields information not obtained by manual microscopic analyses, as shown for the myxomycete Physarum albescens . The exact size distribution of spores revealed irregularities in spore formation resulting from the influence of environmental conditions on spore maturation. A comparison of the spore size distribution within and between sporocarp colonies showed large environmental and likely genetic variation. In addition, the comparison identified specimens with spores roughly twice the normal size. The successful implementation of the presented method for analyzing myxomycete spores also suggests potential for other applications.
... Here, we focused on a representative species of a specialized group of soil protists -Myxomycetes (Myxogastria), amoeboid organisms classified within the supergroup Amoebozoa (Adl et al. 2019). Myxomycetes (so called plasmodial slime moulds) have an ability to produce macroscopic fruiting bodies filled with exceptionally large quantities of easily dispersing spores (Schnittler et al. 2012). Moreover, relatively large sporophores can be easily sampled in the field and permanently preserved in herbarium collections, which makes these organisms readily available for molecular analyses (Janik et al. 2020;Walker et al. 2017). ...
Soil protists play a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems and often show immense taxonomic diversity. However, for many groups, distribution patterns remain largely unknown. We investigated range-wide intraspecific diversity of a specialized airborne protist (Didymium nivicola Meyl.) that occupies a narrow ecological niche associated with long-lasting snow cover. We sampled 122 collections covering all areas where the species was recorded worldwide. We obtained 105 and 41 sequences of small ribosomal subunit rDNA (SSU) and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1A), respectively. While the species is very diverse in the austral Andes, Southern Hemisphere (SH; 17 SSU ribotypes and 12 EF1A genotypes identified), its populations are genetically uniform across three continents of the Northern Hemisphere (NH; single ribotype, single genotype). Our results indicate the austral Andes as a possible diversification centre for D. nivicola where populations seem to reproduce sexually. Two main parts of the range display highly contrasting genetic patterns, thus biogeographical history and dynamics. Current distribution of D. nivicola in the NH is likely a result of a dispersal event from the SH and subsequent long-distance dispersal (LDD) that might be associated with a shift to asexual mode of reproduction.
... Similarly, besides being used as models for local conservation , they also serves as beneficial components of the soil ecosystems (Dagamac et al. 2011). The peculiarity of slime molds as predators of many microorganisms thus limit their population density (Schnittler et al., 2012). The environmental roles of movement and ingestion without any nervous system make slime moulds the flagship model of primitive intelligence (Nakagaki et al., 2000;Beekman & Latty, 2015). ...
... The latter usually develop by fragmentation of the plasmodium into smaller units, typically 0.5-2.0 mm in diameter, called sporocarps (Schnittler et al. 2012;Stephenson and Schnittler 2017). Each sporocarp contains one spore-forming structure, the sporotheca. ...
The genus Siphoptychium is resurrected on the basis of comparative morphology and phylogeny of partial nuc 18S rDNA (18S) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1A) nucleotide sequences. The genus is characterized by the firm upper surface of the pseudoaethalium, accreted but easily separable sporothecae, a tubular or fibrous columella, and spores with a reticulate ornamentation consisting of 7–9 meshes across the diameter. In addition to the currently known single species S. casparyi (= Tubifera casparyi), two new members of Siphoptychium are described: S. violaceum from coniferous forests of Europe, east Asia, and southeast Asia, and S. reticulatum from temperate and subarctic regions of North America and alpine regions of Europe. A second genus, Thecotubifera, is described to accommodate Tubifera dictyoderma. The fruiting body of this species is transitional between a pseudoaethalium and a true aethalium. It is covered by a contiguous membranous cortex formed by the fused tips of the sporothecae, a feature typical for aethalia. However, the inner portions of sporothecae remain discernible, a feature more typical for pseudoaethalia. Columellae of Th. dictyoderma are formed by perforated plates, and the spores have a reticulate ornamentation consisting of 2–5 meshes across the diameter. For Th. dictyoderma, we could confirm records only for tropical regions and Japan, whereas all studied European specimens, including those mentioned in current monographs, represent species of Siphoptychium.
... Nearly always belonging to the invisible world, these organisms are understudied due to a lack of cultivation methods and/or morphological descriptors. Myxomycetes are an exception forming macroscopic fructifications [99] which have been studied for nearly two hundred years [108]. Based on morphological characters of the fructifications, ca. ...
... This is in line with other studies showing plant community as a strong structuring parameter for fungal community composition [71,80], due to direct plant-fungal interaction [17,50,51]. In contrast, myxomycetes are not known to be neither symbiotic nor parasitic in respect to plants [99], although myxamoebae were recovered from cultures of wood from living trees [113]. ...
We used direct DNA amplification from soil extracts to analyze microbial communities from an elevational transect in the German Alps by parallel metabarcoding of bacteria (16S rRNA), fungi (ITS2), and myxomycetes (18S rRNA). For the three microbial groups, 5710, 6133, and 261 operational taxonomic units (OTU) were found. For the latter group, we can relate OTUs to barcodes from fruit bodies sampled over a 4-year period. The alpha diversity of myxomycetes was positively correlated with that of bacteria. Vegetation type was found to be the main explanatory parameter for the community composition of all three groups and a substantial species turnover with elevation was observed. Bacteria and fungi display similar community responses, driven by symbiont species and plant substrate quality. Myxamoebae show a more patchy distribution, though still clearly stratified between taxa, which seems to be a response to both structural properties of the habitat and interaction with specific bacterial and fungal taxa. Finally, we report a high number of myxomycete OTUs not represented in a reference database from fructifications, which might represent novel species.
... • Schnittler et al. 2012). In at least one case, sequences of a Diacheopsis were found to be identical to a species of Lamproderma (Fiore- Donno et al. 2012). ...
... This is most prominent for the loss of a stalk, which occurred in all families except for the Clastodermataceae and Meridermataceae. The stalk elevates spores above a film of water covering the substrate, thus allowing them to dry out and then become airborne ( Schnittler et al. 2012). For species inhabiting substrates that dry out rapidly, the resources required for producing a stalk can be saved. ...
The traditional classification of the Myxomycetes (Myxogastrea) into five orders (Echinosteliales, Liceales, Trichiales, Stemonitidales and Physarales), used in all monographs published since 1945, does not properly reflect evolutionary relationships within the group. Reviewing all published phylogenies for myxomycete subgroups together with a 18S rDNA phylogeny of the entire group serving as an illustration, we suggest a revised hierarchical classification, in which taxa of higher ranks are formally named according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. In addition, informal zoological names are provided. The exosporous genus Ceratiomyxa, together with some protosteloid amoebae, constitute the class Ceratiomyxomycetes. The class Myxomycetes is divided into a bright-and a dark-spored clade, now formally named as subclasses Lucisporomycetidae and Columellomycetidae, respectively. For bright-spored myxomycetes, four orders are proposed: Cribrariales (considered as a basal group), Reticulariales, a narrowly circumscribed Liceales and Trichiales. The dark-spored myxomycetes include five orders: Echinosteliales (considered as a basal group), Clastodermatales, Meridermatales, a more narrowly circumscribed Stemonitidales and Physarales (including as well most of the traditional Stemonitidales with durable peridia). Molecular data provide evidence that conspicuous morphological characters such as solitary versus compound fructifications or presence versus absence of a stalk are overestimated. Details of the capillitium and peridium, and especially how these structures are connected to each other, seem to reflect evolutionary relationships much better than many characters which have been used in the past.
... Only a few studies were dedicated to investigate the effect of conservation on species composition of microorganisms. Myxomycetes, living as true micro-organisms (Schnittler et al. 2012) but visible by their fructifications which have been studied for nearly 200 years , are an ideal group to investi-gate the effectiveness of conservation measures for microorganisms. Assessing microbial diversity is important because of their vast numbers, and many groups are vital players in keeping ecosystems functioning. ...
Background and aims – In spite of the cosmopolitan distributions of myxomycetes, relatively few studies have been conducted in subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, particularly in Northern Vietnam, where comprehensive reports of myxomycetes are lacking up to this date. Hence, a rapid biodiversity assessment was conducted in protected and unprotected plantation forests of Thai Nguyen City to compare the species composition of myxomycete communities between the two different forest management types.Methods – A total of 360 substrate samples were haphazardly collected within 5 m × 5 m plots established within three protected and three unprotected forests. The moist chamber cultures prepared from these samples were regularly checked for myxomycete fructifications over a period of 12 weeks. Analyses of diversity (species richness) and community composition were performed using the software EstimateS and the vegan package in R.Key results – The study yielded a total of 505 records representing 54 species belonging to 17 genera. All species recorded herein were new records for Northern Vietnam; among them five were new for the entire country. The rarefaction curves showed higher numbers of myxomycete species to be expected for protected forest (43.0) in comparison to unprotected forests (39.4). However, calculations of species diversity indices showed higher values in unprotected forest than in protected forest. The species composition between the two forest types showed clear overlaps with many shared (56%) species. Conclusions – Forest conservation strategies do not affect freely dispersing myxomycetes implicating that spore dispersal of myxomycetes is caused not only by natural factors but also by anthropogenic activities. The production of high number of myxomycete species for this study seems to point out that the subtropical forests of Vietnam harbours many undiscovered myxomycete species for Southeast Asia.
... The macroscopically visible fructifications of myxomycetes (Schnittler, Novozhilov, Romeralo, Brown, & Spiegel, 2012;Stephenson, Schnittler, & Novozhilov, 2008) provide enough morphological traits to support a morphological species concept with currently c. 1,000 species described (Lado, 2005(Lado, -2016. Based on this concept, the ecology, distribution and diversity of myxomycetes have been studied for over 200 years (Stephenson et al., 2008). ...
Unicellular, eukaryotic organisms (protists) play a key role in soil food webs as major predators of microorganisms. However, due to the polyphyletic nature of protists no single universal barcode can be established for this group, and the structure of many protistean communities remains unresolved. Plasmodial slime molds (Myxogastria or Myxomycetes) stand out among protists by their formation of fruit bodies, which allow for a morphological species concept. By Sanger sequencing of a large collection of morphospecies, this study presents the largest database to date of dark-spored myxomycetes and evaluate a partial 18S SSU gene marker for species annotation. We identify and discuss the use of an intraspecific sequence similarity threshold of 99.1% for species differentiation (OTU picking) in environmental PCR studies (ePCR) and estimate a hidden diversity of putative species, exceeding those of described morphospecies by 99%. When applying the identified threshold to an ePCR dataset (including sequences from both NGS and cloning) we find 64 OTUs of which 21.9% had a direct match (> 99.1% similarity) to the database and the remaining had on average 90.2 ± 0.8% similarity to their best match, thus thought to represent undiscovered diversity of dark-spored myxomycetes.
