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Article: Evaluation of tree canopy epiphytes and bark characteristics associated with the presence of corticolous myxomycetes.(Report)
- Article from:
- Canadian Journal of Botany
- Article date:
- May 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 NRC Research Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds) are protozoans characterized by haploid myxamoebae or biflagellate swarm cells that undergo syngamy followed by multiple nuclear divisions, developing into a multinucleate, assimilative, diploid protoplasmic mass called the plasmodium. At maturity, the plasmodium gives rise to fruiting bodies whose morphological characters are used for species identification (Everhart and Keller 2008). Myxomycete species are abundant and diverse within temperate forests, associated with rotting logs, leaf litter, dung, or the bark of living trees (Spiegel et al. 2004). Corticolous myxomycetes complete their life cycle, from spore ...