Myxomycete Diversity in Costa Rica
Mycosphere 9(2): 227–255 (2018) www.mycosphere.org ISSN 2077 7019 Article Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/9/2/6 Copyright © Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences Myxomycete diversity in Costa Rica Rojas C1,2*, Rojas PA1 and Lado C3 1 Engineering Research Institute (INII), University of Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, 11501-Costa Rica 2 Experimental Interdisciplinary Station of Agroecological Models (FEIMA), University of Costa Rica, Turrialba, 30502-Costa Rica 3 Real Jardín Botánico (CSIC), Plaza de Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid - Spain Rojas C, Lado C, Rojas PA 2018 – Myxomycete diversity in Costa Rica. Mycosphere 9(2), 227– 255, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/9/2/6 Abstract An updated analysis of myxomycete diversity in Costa Rica is provided herein as a product of an extensive data mining-based study intended to normalize the information on myxomycetes from that country. Within the context of the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot, the 242 species of myxomycetes are reported herein demonstrated the potential of this area for diversity-based studies. For the construction of the updated species list, a thorough analysis that included examination of vouchers and a literature review has been carried out, and some species previously included in other works have been rejected due to inconsistencies or misidentification. The present contribution is essential to address the Wallacean shortfall within Mesoamerica and important for providing updated data on microorganisms in the context of regional biodiversity monitoring. Key words – Amoebozoa – biogeography – Central America – checklist – distribution – myxogastrids – Myxomycetes – plasmodial slime moulds Introduction The myxomycetes of Costa Rica have been the subject of recent small-scale analyses (e.g., Rojas & Doss, 2013, Rojas & Valverde 2015, Lado & Rojas, in rev.) and the last overall assessment of the diversity in this country, based on morphospecies, reported 208 species for the entire territory (Rojas et al.
[Show full text]