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Species Listing and Diversity of Myxomycetes from Mt. Makulot and Napayong Island in Taal Lake, Batangas, Philippines
Margareth Del E. Isagan, Mariah Kristianne C. Carbonell, Yonnalyn A. Dalangin, Ana Joramae L. Lapira, Melissa H. Pecundo, Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz
MycoAsia 2020/05.
https://doi.org/10.59265/mycoasia.2020-05
Abstract
The rich vegetation of volcanic forests offers a unique habitat for exploring myxomycetes (slime molds). This study investigates the occurrence and diversity of myxomycetes in the forest areas of Taal Volcano Crater Rim (Mt. Makulot) and Napayong Island in Taal Lake, Batangas, Philippines. A total of 1,110 moist-chamber cultures were prepared using decayed aerial and ground leaf litter, twigs, and woody vines collected from the study areas. Thirty-five species belonging to 14 genera were identified, including Arcyria, Ceratiomyxa, Clastoderma, Collaria, Comatricha, Cribraria, Diachea, Diderma, Didymium, Hemitrichia, Lamproderma, Perichaena, Physarum, and Stemonitis. Five species were unique to Mt. Makulot, while seven species were exclusively recorded in Napayong Island. Napayong Island exhibited higher species diversity compared to Mt. Makulot, with the highest species diversity observed in ground litter collected from Napayong Island. This study provides the first species listing of myxomycetes in Napayong Island, a small island within Taal Lake, which itself is located within an island.
Plain Language Summary
Scientists explored the unique volcanic forests around Taal Volcano in the Philippines to discover what types of slime molds live there. They collected dead leaves and twigs from two locations: the crater rim (Mt. Makulot) and a small island within Taal Lake called Napayong Island. By growing and studying the samples in a lab, they identified 35 different species of slime molds. The study found that Napayong Island had a greater variety of these organisms. This research is the first-ever record of slime molds on this unique “island within a lake on an island,” adding important new information about biodiversity in volcanic habitats.
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