FURTHER STUDIES ON CORTICOLOUS MYXOMYCETES FROM WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY LEVESTER PENDERGRASS DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY ATLANTA, GEORGIA Y 1976 -1 ABSTRACT B IOLOGY PENDERGRASS, LEVESTER 13.5., Morris College, 1969 M.S.,, Atlanta University, 1972 Further Studies on Corticolous Myxomycetes from Within the City Limits of Atlanta, Georgia Advisor: Dr. Lafayette Frederick Doctor of Philosophy degree conferred May 17, 1976 Thesis dated May, 1976 During a two—year period, beginning in the summer of 1973 and ending in the summer of 1975, a study was conducted on myxomycete bionta from bark of living trees growing in five widely separated localities within the Atlanta city limits. The objectives of the study were to determine (1) whether bark of living trees is a natural substratum for certain kinds of myxomycetes; (2) whether certain myxomycetes manifest affinities for certain species of trees; (3) whether seasonal variations exist in corticolous myxomycete occur rence; and (4) whether any correlation exists between the distribu tion of corticolous myxomycetes and tree habitats. Since two earlier studies of limited scope represent the only reports of systematic studies on corticolous myxomycetes of Georgia, a need has existed for more extensive information on this myxomycete bionta of the state. This study was undertaken in order to fulfill 111 that need. To accomplish the objectives a total of 171 trees, repre senting 12 genera and 21 species, growing in five selected areas within the city limits of Atlanta, were chosen for the study. The genus and species of the trees used were Acer g4o and A. sacchari— num, Carya illinoensis and C. ovata, Cedrus deodara, Cornus florida, Diospyros virginiana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipif era, Ostrya virginiana, Pinus echinata and P. taeda, Prunus serotina, Quercus alba, Q. falcata, Q. nigra, Q. phellos, Q. stellata, and Q. velutina, Ulmus alata and U. americana. The five different localities used in this study included three relatively undisturbed wooded areas and two open park areas. The localities were (1) a wooded area in the Highpoint section; (2) a wooded hillside in the Collier Heights section; (3) a wooded ravine in the Beecher Circle section; and (4) two city parks, namely, Washington and Piedmont Parks. Specific plots were selected within each locality for sampling. Each plot was approximately 15 meters square and contained at least one tree of each species that was to be studied. In two of the localities, viz., Collier Heights and Beecher Circle, fallen debris on the forest floor was periodically examined in the field. Five different techniques were used to create conditions favor able for myxomycete development. These techniques were as follows: (1) a modification of the moist chamber technique originally used by Gilbert and Martin; (This modification involved the gradual soaking of bark pieces in sterile petri dishes by adding small volumes of sterile water intermittently as it was absorbed by the bark, This iv practice reduced the possibility of spores being discarded, as may happen when the method of Gilbert and Martin is used.) (2) the plac ing of bark samples in polyethylene bags and attaching these bags to the sides of the trees from which they were collected; (Sterile distilled water was added to the bags in order to first saturate the bark pieces and subsequently maintain a high humidity.) (3) the removal of bark samples from trees and the incubation of these samples in petri dish moist chambers that were left in the field at the base of the tree from which the samples were removed; (4) the attaching of large water—filled polyethylene bags to trees at about breast height; (The bags were perforated at the bottom by puncturing the corners and the middle with a few pin holes. This enabled water to slowly drip onto the bark below the bag and consequently keep the trunk in that region continuously moist.) and (5) the periodic examination of undisturbed bark of standing trees with a lOX hand lens in a search for naturally developing slime molds. Field examinations of leaf litter were also made in order to determine whether myxomycetes that developed in moist chamber on bark samples also developed naturally on plant debris on the forest floor. A total of 46 species of myxomycetes was found during the two years of the study. Forty species of myxomycetes, representing 16 genera, appeared on collected bark samples during the course of the study, and six other species representing six genera were found on field observed leaf litter. 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