New records of myxomycetes (Amoebozoa) from Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is located in one the megadiverse regions of the world. However, the number of known species of myxomycetes for this territory is low when compared to similar countries in the same region. The most important reason for such pattern is the systematic undersampling of ecosystems in that part of the world. For that reason, efforts to document the myxobiota of Colombia were set in place as part of collaborative initiatives among academic institutions in the region. Surveys focusing both on field collections and material for moist chamber cultures during the period between 2019-2021 as well as a search of vouchers in recognized herbaria yielded a total of 28 new records of myxomycetes for Colombia, most of which belong to the genera Arcyria, Physarum and Stemonitopsis. These results have increased the number of recognized myxomycetes in Colombian territories from 106 to 134, with an associated increment of about 26% directly related to the latest efforts. Similar surveys in different ecosystems in Colombia and more exploration of Colombian collections will likely increase the number of recognized species of myxomycetes even more, but the present study highlights the importance of establishing a baseline of research in one territory as a strategy to document its biota.