Diversity and distribution of cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) in Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

Abstract

Dictyostelids were isolated and identified from soil collected in coastal and lowland mountain forests of Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, during dry and wet seasons. Clonal population count per isolated dictyostelids in each forest type and season was assessed to compare their abundance and species diversity. Our results identified eight species of dictyostelids belonging to two genera: Dictyostelium and Polysphondylium. Dictyostelid diversity was observed to be higher in coastal forests than in mountain forests, and during the rainy season. Among the species found, Dictyostelium mucoroides, Dictyostelium purpureum, and Polysphondylium pallidum were seen to be the most important throughout the island during both dry and wet seasons. This is the first study about the ecology of dictyostelids from Philippine soil.