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Distribution and ecology of myxomycetes in India

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

An attempt was made to verify the differential ecological preferences of calcareous and non-calcareous Myxomycetes from published records of Indian Myxomycetes. A definite preponderance of calcareous species on dead leaves and of noncalcareous species on dead wood and bark was noted. Myxomycetes in general occurred in large numbers at altitudes above 500 m; a temperature range between 15–20°C and a low (0–250 mm/month) or medium (250–500 mm) rainfall favoured their growth and sporulation. The calcareous species were more tolerant of the tropical climate than the noncalcareous ones. A limited analysis of the pH level and calcium content of the substrates from our collections suggested that the calcareous species preferred dead leaves for their calcium content, but pH of the substrate had no role in this specificity.

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  1. R Venkataramani

    Present address: Department of Botany, Presidency College, 600 005, Madras, India

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  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, University of Madras, 600 025, Madras, India

    R Venkataramani & Indira Kalyanasundaram

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Venkataramani, R., Kalyanasundaram, I. Distribution and ecology of myxomycetes in India. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 96, 289–301 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053250

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