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Distribution and occurrence of myxomycetes on agricultural ground litter and forest floor litter in Thailand

     Mushroom Research Foundation, 128 Moo 3, Bahn Pha Deng, T. Pa Pae, A. Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand

Steven L. Stephenson ¹

     Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Kevin D. Hyde

     Fungal Research Group, School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Orarat Mongkolporn

     Horticultural Department, Agricultural Faculty, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand

The ecological distribution and seasonal patterns of occurrence of myxomycetes associated with the microhabitats represented by agricultural ground litter and forest floor litter were investigated in six study sites in northern Thailand during Oct 2004–Oct 2005. Both specimens that developed under natural conditions in the field and specimens obtained in moist chamber cultures were considered. Agricultural study sites were a banana plantation, a mango orchard and a sweet corn farm, whereas forest study sites consisted of a lowland forest, a midelevation forest and a highland forest. Seventy species of myxomycetes representing 20 genera were collected, with 34 species recorded during the dry season and 58 species recorded during the rainy season. Distinct differences were apparent for numbers of positive moist chambers, numbers of species recorded from moist chambers, numbers of species recorded as field collections and numbers of field collections when data obtained for the two seasons were compared. In the dry season only three species were collected in the field, but the percentage of positive moist chamber cultures (129/180 or 72%) and number of species recorded (33) from these cultures were high. In contrast, during the rainy season, 52 species of myxomycetes were collected in the field but only 15 species were recorded from the much lower percentage (75/180 or 42%) of positive moist chambers cultures.

Key words: biodiversity, ecology, seasonal patterns, slime molds, tropical forests