First steps in myxomycete conservation activities

Abstract

Slime moulds are eukaryotic, phagotrophic, fungus-like organisms, which living nearly in all terrestrial ecosystems. In previous systems slime molds include several groups: Myxomycetes -“true slime moulds”, Protosteliomycetes – microscopic relatives of Myxomycetes, Dictyosteliomycetes –soil inhabitants, Copromyxida – animal dung inhabitants, Acrasida – with individual independent cells that can act as one organism, Plasmodiophoromycota – cell parasitic species. All this groups have a plasmodial stage in their life cycle. Modern systems recognize only Dictyosteliomycetes, Protosteliomycetes and Myxomycetes. Copromyxida belong to the same phylogenic branch as Amoebozoa. No close relatives are known for Acrasida and Plasmodiophoromycota. The conservation strategy model begins with Myxomycetes, characterized by a remarkable transformation from an animal-like to a fungus-like form.