Species listing and diversity of myxomycetes from Mt. Makulot and Napayong Island in Taal Lake, Batangas, Philippines

Margareth Del E. Isagan¹, Mariah Kristianne C. Carbonell¹, Yonnalyn A. Dalangin¹, Ana Joramae L. Lapira¹, Melissa H. Pecundo², Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz^{1,2, *}

Affiliations
¹Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd. 1008 Manila, Philippines
²Fungal Biodiversity, Ecogenomics and Systematics (FBeS) Group, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd. 1008 Manila, Philippines

*Corresponding author, email: [email protected]

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.

Citation
Isagan MDE, Carbonell MKC, Dalangin YA, Lapira AJL, Pecundo MH, dela Cruz TEE (2020) Species listing and diversity of myxomycetes from Mt. Makulot and Napayong Island in Taal Lake, Batangas, Philippines. MycoAsia 2020/05. https://doi.org/10.59265/mycoasia.2020-05

Submission History
Received: 28.06.2020
Accepted: 08.09.2020
Published: 08.09.2020

Editorial Team
Handling Editor: Dr. Hanh Tran

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