Ecology and world distribution of Barbeyella minutissima (Myxomycetes)

On the basis of all accessible records from the literature and our own fiel d observations and collections, the ecology of the rare myxomycete Barbeyel la minutissima is described. Analysis of these data, derived mainly from th e Northern Ammergauer Alps (Germany) and the Appalachian Mountains (USA: We st Virginia, North Carolina), permit the microhabitat requirements of this myxomycete and its ecological associations with other myxomycetes and bryop hytes to be elucidated in some detail. Barbeyella minutissima appears to ha ve a distribution centred in montane spruce-fir forests, where it is regula rly associated with three other species of myxomycetes - Colloderma oculatu m, Lamproderma columbinum, and Lepidoderma tigrinum. Several leafy liverwor ts are associated with Barbeyella. Particularly noteworthy is Nowellia curv ifolia, which seems to be an indicator organism for this myxomycete. A worl d distribution map of Barbeyella minutissima is provided, along with conclu sions relating to the putative range of the species.