Global distribution of forest soil dictyostelids

Aim The goal of this project was to compile, organize, and present the know n distributional data on the dictyostelid cellular slime moulds (CSMs) foun d in forest soils worldwide. The question of what factors influence CSM dis tribution patterns was also addressed. Location CSMs have been recovered from soils of temperate deciduous forest, tropical deciduous and seasonal evergreen rainforest, boreal coniferous fo rest, and tundra by various investigators ground the world. Methods Within each of these four biomes, various locations around the worl d have been sampled by a number of investigators. The current study attempt s to synthesize the known dictyostelid distributional data and present spec ific patterns of distribution. Results Worldwide, sixty-five species of CSM were found to occupy various f orest 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 varie ty of factors other than the biota (including but not restricted to climate , latitude, altitude, soil pH, and soil-forming parent materials). The curr ent study supports the thesis that organic inputs from specific plant assoc iations and animal vectors have an important role as well.