Global distribution of forest soil dictyostelids

Aim The goal of this project was to compile, organize, and present the known distributional data on the dictyostelid cellular slime moulds (CSMs) found in forest soils worldwide. The question of what factors influence CSM distribution patterns was also addressed. Location CSMs have been recovered from soils of temperate deciduous forest, tropical deciduous and seasonal evergreen rainforest, boreal coniferous forest, and tundra by various investigators around the world. Methods Within each of these four biomes, various locations around the world have been sampled by a number of investigators. The current study attempts to synthesize the known dictyostelid distributional data and present specific patterns of distribution. Results Worldwide, sixty-five species of CSM were found to occupy various forest soils. These species’ distributions fell into one of four categories: cosmopolitan, disjunct, restricted, and pantropical. Main conclusions Global CSM distribution patterns are influenced by a variety of factors other than the biota (including but not restricted to climate, latitude, altitude, soil pH, and soil-forming parent materials). The current study supports the thesis that organic inputs from specific plant associations and animal vectors have an important role as well.