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Phylogeny of Physarida (Amoebozoa, Myxogastria) Based on the Small‐Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene, Redefinition of Physarum pusillum s. str. and Reinstatement of P. gravidum Morgan.

Authors :
Cainelli, Renato
Haan, Myriam
Meyer, Marianne
Bonkowski, Michael
Fiore‐Donno, Anna Maria
Source :
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology; May2020, Vol. 67 Issue 3, p327-336, 10p
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Myxomycetes (also called Myxogastria or colloquially, slime molds) are worldwide occurring soil amoeboflagellates. Among Amoebozoa, they have the notable characteristic to form, during their life cycle, macroscopic fruiting bodies, that will ultimately release spores. Some 1,000 species have been described, based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of their fruiting bodies. We were interested in Physarum pusillum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G. Lister, a very common species described with two variants, each bearing such morphological differences that they could represent two distinct species. In order to test this, we observed key characters in a large selection of specimens attributed to P. pusillum, to its synonyms (in particular Physarum gravidum), and to related species. In addition, the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene was obtained from seven of these specimens. Based on these data, we provide a comprehensive phylogeny of the order Physarida (Eukaryota: Amoebozoa: Conosa: Macromycetozoa: Fuscisporidia). Morphology and phylogeny together support the reinstatement of P. gravidum Morgan 1896 with a neotype here designated, distinct from P. pusillum, here redefined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10665234
Volume :
67
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
143019602
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/jeu.12783