Nivicole myxomycetes of the Khibine Mountains (Kola Peninsula)

Abstract

Data on species inventory and ecology of myxomycetes, especially snow‐line species. are presented from the Khibine, a small mountain area situated in the central Kola peninsula (Russia, 67°38'N, 33°37'E). Fourty species of myxomycetes belonging to 18 genera are recorded. Among them 12 species can be regarded as nivicole. For these taxonomic descriptions are given, their abundance is estimated, microhabitat preferences are described and commented on. Diacheopsis effusa, Lumproderma cf. fuscatum and Lepidoderma aggregatum are new for Fennoscandia. Due to their geographical position, the Khibine mountains are more comparable with the Scandinavian mountains than with the mountain areas in the Russian Arctic which are influenced by a more continental climate. Therefore, the present paper leads together with previous reports of other authors to the conclusion, that nivicole myxomycetes can be expected in all suitable places throughout the Scandinavian mountains.