Fimicolous myxomycetes: overview of their global distribution and scientific production

Abstract

Myxomycetes (Amoebozoa) can be found on a wide range of substrates and among these, the dung of several animal species, primarily herbivorous, in which case they are considered fimicolous. Dung can be a favourable substrate for myxomycete due its relatively high content of water, nutrients and microorganisms. Despite efforts to study fimicolous myxomycetes, there are still informational gaps on the geographical distribution and microhabitat details. Also, scientometric information on these organisms is scarce. This work was aimed to compile the occurrence of fimicolous myxomycetes, from published literature, for the period between 1900 and 2017, resulting in an update on their biogeographical and ecological information. Scientific production involving fimicolous myxomycetes is also discussed. Ninety-eight articles were retrieved, from which authors recorded a total of 544 occurrences classified in 126 myxomycetes species. These records were geographically associated with 51 countries, located primarily on the northern hemisphere. Most occurrences were reported on herbivore dung, mainly from cattle, horse, deer, rabbit/hare, sheep and camel. Arcyria cinerea, Didymium difforme, D. iridis, D. squamulosum, Fuligo cinerea, Kelleromyxa fimicola, Licea tenera, Perichaena chrysosperma, P. corticalis, P. depressa, Physarum apiculosporum, Ph. compressum, and Ph. didermoides were the most frequent species, with at least 10 records each. Despite an increase in scientific production on fimicolous myxomycetes during the studied period, the number of researchers dedicated to this group is low and the inter-institutional collaboration could be improved. It was observed that most authors have produced only one publication, claimed not to be specialists on the group and that tropical fimicolous myxomycetes have clearly been understudied. It is suggested that thematic networks and methodological standardization in molecular studies could increase and improve research on fimicolous myxomycetes. We highlight the importance of the inter-institutional partnership between researchers interested in the study of fimicolous myxomycetes, once access to these technologies is limited for many researchers, especially those in underdeveloped countries, such as Latin American, the formation of collaborative networks may facilitate the application of molecular approaches.