Four New Species of Dictyostelids from Soil Systems in Northern Thailand

Dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) are ubiquitous microorganisms found in the uppermost layers of most soils. Reports on the species diversity of dictyostelids in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, are few in number. A survey for dictyostelids performed in northern Thailand in 2008 recovered 15 distinctive forms, including several common species and a number of forms morphologically different from anything already described. Five of the latter were formally described as new to science in a previous paper. An additional five isolates appeared to be morphologically distinct, and this was supported by DNA sequence data and phylogenetic analysis. These isolates representing four species are described herein as species new to science. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of these new species are provided.

Automated summary

This study investigated the species diversity of dictyostelids in northern Thailand and discovered 15 distinctive forms, including five new species. Four additional isolates were identified as new species based on morphological characteristics, DNA sequence data, and phylogenetic analysis.