THE VERTICAL-DISTRIBUTION OF DICTYOSTELIDS AND MYXOMYCETES IN THE SOIL LITTER MICROHABITAT/

The distribution patterns of dictyostelids (cellular slime molds) and myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds) in three layers of the soil/litte r microhabitat were examined in two forest communities in southwestern Virginia. Both groups of organisms were present in all three layers, but their distribution patterns were not the same in the two forest co mmunities. Numbers of dictyostelids or myxomycetes were positively cor related with numbers of bacteria at every level in each community, but a coincident response to high (or low) bacterial numbers never existe d for both groups in the same level in the same community. Dictyosteli ds, myxomycetes, and bacteria were all substantially more abundant in the forest community characterized by higher species richness and dive rsity of the woody vegetation, generally higher levels of major nutrie nts in both the litter layer and the underlying soil, and more moderat e soil pH conditions.