Taxonomic relevance of pigment patterns in Arcyria species (Trichiales, Myxomycetes) including Arcyodes incarnata

To evaluate the relevance of chemical characters as additional tools for th e taxonomy of myxomycetes, sporocarp pigments of sixteen taxa of the genera Arcyria and Arcyodes (both Trichiales) were analysed by a thin-layer chrom atography method that is easy to perform and reproduce. Focusing on the not oriously difficult group of led-coloured Arcyria species, surprisingly high correspondence for pigment patterns of all investigated specimens belongin g to a certain morphospecies was found. The use of pigments for species dif ferentiation is demonstrated by a key for the pigment patterns of Arcyria i ncl. Arcyodes incarnata. Results of pigment analyses are compared with the classical taxonomy based on morphological characters. A cladistic analysis of the relationships in the genus using both pigments and morphological cha racters is presented.