Occurrence and diversity of myxomycetes along the forest edges of Mt. Isarog National Park, Camarines Sur, Philippines

Abstract

Forest edges support a unique biodiversity distinct from the inner part of the forest. While species diversity of plants and animals were widely reported along forest edges, little is known about its microbiota, particularly myxomycetes. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence and diversity of myxomycetes found along forest edges in Mt. Isarog National Park in the Bicol Region, Philippines. Ground leaf litter (GL) and decaying twigs (TW) were collected from three sampling localities and used for the setting up of moist chambers. Here, a total of 540 moist chamber cultures were prepared. From these, we recorded 24 identifiable species belonging to 10 genera, namely, Arcyria. Comatricha, Cribraria, Diachea, Diderma, Didymium, Hemitrichia, Perichaena, Physarum, and Stemonitis. Of these, 11 species were shared by all sampling localities. We observed differences in myxomycete composition between the three forest edges.