Vertical distribution and assemblages of corticolous myxomycetes on five tree species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract

Corticolous myxomycetes of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were studied in relation to their association with certain tree species and height of occurrence in the forest canopy. Using the double-rope climbing method, bark was collected at 3 m increments to the tops of trees of five different species. Bark samples from 25 trees were used to prepare 418 moist chamber cultures maintained and observed 4 wk. Eighty-four myxomycete species were identified, including 30 species not known to occur in the park. Tree species, pH, height in tree and water-holding capacity of the bark samples were analyzed to determine the relationships of myxomycete assemblages cultured on the bark. Results suggested that myxomycete community composition among selected tree species were similar, but occurrence and abundance of certain species were related to differences in bark pH. Community similarity values among trees of different species show that trees with the most similar myxomycete communities also have the most similar bark pH. Most myxomycete species in this study have a pH optimum. No variation in species richness was detected at different heights in the trees, and most species were obtained at all heights up to at least 24 m. The water-holding capacity of the bark could not be correlated with species richness or abundance of myxomycetes that inhabit the bark of living trees. This is the first study to characterize myxomycete communities of tree canopies.