Cover

Title page

Copyright

Contents

Contributors

Preface

Introduction

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 1 - The Myxomycetes: Introduction, Basic Biology, Life Cycles, Genetics, and Reproduction

Introduction

Morphology of fruiting bodies

Fruiting body types

Myxomycete terminology

Myxomycete life cycle stages

Genetics and reproduction

Acknowledgments

References

Further reading

Chapter 2 - The History of the Study of Myxomycetes

The early period

The first scientific studies

Arthur and Gulielma Lister

More recent studies in Europe

Studies in the United States

Studies throughout the world

Future studies of myxomycetes

References

Further reading

Chapter 3 - The Phylogeny of Myxomycetes

Introduction

Phylogenetic revolution in taxonomy

Marker genes for myxomycetes

Obtaining sequences of myxomycete DNA

How to build a tree?

Where are myxomycetes in the tree of life?

Major branches of the myxomycete tree

Morphology versus phylogeny

References

Further reading

Chapter 4 - Genomics and Gene Expression in Myxomycetes

Introduction

Nucleolar DNA: minichromosomes rDNA genes

Chromosomes and chromosomal DNA

Chromosome Number and Telomeres

Gene Content and Chromosomal DNA

The Mitochondrial RNA Polymerase Gene, an Example of Protein Coding Genes on Nuclear DNA

Small, noncoding RNAs

tRNA Gene Structure

tRNA Anticodons, Codon/Anticodon Interactions, and the Genetic Code

Mitochondrial DNA in myxomycetes

The Relationship of Myxomycetes Relative to Other Clades in the Amoebozoa Based on Mitochondrial DNA Characteristics

Comparison of the Mitochondrial DNA Genomes of Three Representative Amoebozoans

Mitochondrial Gene Expression in the Amoebozoa

Evolutionary Implications of mtDNA Structure and Features

Relationships within the myxomycetes based on mtDNA structure

Linear mF Mitochondrial Plasmid

Variation in the Structure of the mtDNAs From Different Strains of Physarum

mtDNA Structure in Didymium Iridis

Mitochondrial Bar Coding and mtDNA Phylogenies of Myxomycetes

Insertional RNA editing in the myxomycetes

Specificity of RNA Editing Site Location

Specificity of Inserted Nucleotide Identity

Evolution of RNA Editing, Variation in Editing Site Location

Concluding remarks and areas of future research

References

Chapter 5 - Molecular Techniques and Current Research Approaches

Part A: - A synthesis of the current knowledge on molecular techniques used for the recording of biodiversity and ecologica...

Introduction

Nucleic acid isolation

DNA Isolation

RNA Isolation

Nucleic acid amplification and applications

Ribosomal Small Subunit (SSU)

Elongation Factor-1α

Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS)

Cytochrome c Oxidase (COI)

Sequencing and Applications of Gene Amplification

Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (TRFLP)

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)

High-Throughput Sequencing

Concluding Remarks

Part B: - Comparative molecular biology and use of myxomycetes as model organisms

Myxomycetes as model organisms: promises, disappointments, and discoveries

The Cell Cycle

Somatic Incompatibility Systems

Plasmodial Structure, Motility, Behavior, and Learning

Group I Introns in the Myxomycetes

Molecular Approaches to Studying Development in Myxomycetes

Transfection of Physarum polycephalum and RNAi

The First Complete Myxomycete Genome

References

Chapter 6 - Physiology and Biochemistry of Myxomycetes

Introduction

Spore Germination

Amoeboflagellate Cells

Plasmodium

Sporulation

Metabolites of myxomycetes

Metabolites From Members of the Ceratiomyxales

Metabolites From Members of the Liceales

Metabolites From Members of the Trichiales

Metabolites From Members of the Physarales

Metabolites From Members of the Stemonitales

Research methods used in the study of metabolites

Antibacterial Activity

Antitumor Activity

Cytotoxic Activity

Antioxidant Activity

Research methods in the study of bioactivity

Chemical Characteristics

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 7 - Taxonomy and Systematics: Current Knowledge and Approaches on the Taxonomic Treatment of Myxomycetes

Introduction

Definition of taxonomy, systematics, and nomenclature

Brief history of the taxonomy of myxomycetes

Gross systematics within myxomycetes

Exosporous Myxomycetes

Order Ceratiomyxales

Endosporous Myxomycetes

Order Liceales (=Cribrariales)

Licea versus Perichaena

Order Echinosteliales

Order Trichiales

Order Physarales

Order Stemonitidales

Taxonomic literature on the myxomycetes

Classification of the myxomycetes (from class to genera, with references to the protologue and a brief diagnosis of the mos...

The new era of taxonomy: how new technologies can help to resolve classical taxonomic problems

Virtual Libraries and Herbaria

Repositories of Biodiversity Information

Projects

Banks of Data

Virtual Encyclopedias

Web Pages

Software

Challenges in taxonomy

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 8 - Ecology and Distribution of Myxomycetes

Introduction

Methods of study

Field Surveys

Moist Chamber Cultures

Agar Cultures

Metacommunity Analysis

Data Evaluation for Diversity Studies in Myxomycetes

Microhabitat Descriptions

Environmental Factors and Ecological Niche

Acidity of Substrate (pH)

Microhabitats and Ecological Assemblages of Myxomycetes

Ground Litter

Coarse Woody Debris

Bark of Living Woody Plants

Aerial Microhabitats

Tropical Lianas

Weathered Dung of Herbivorous Animals

Soil

Aquatic Habitats

Effect of Disturbance Events on Assemblages of Myxomycetes

Phenology of Sporulation (Seasonality of Myxomycetes)

Relationships With Other Organisms

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 9 - Biogeographical Patterns in Myxomycetes

Introduction

Spore Dispersal as a Key Feature for Myxomycetes

Myxomycete biogeography—What can we see?

Biogeographic Hypotheses About Myxomycete Distribution

Two-hundred years of fruiting body-based diversity research in myxomycetes

Diversity and species composition of myxomycete communities from major ecosystems of the world

Tundra, Forest-Tundra and Subantarctic Habitats

Boreal Forests (Taiga) and Subalpine/Montane Coniferous Forests

Temperate Forests

Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, Scrub

Tropical and Subtropical Forests

Steppes and Prairies

Subalpine and Alpine Grasslands

Deserts and Other Arid Areas

Coastal Habitats and Mangroves

Agricultural and Urban Habitats

Heathlands

Savannahs and Semi-Arid Grasslands

Acknowledgments

References

Further reading

Chapter 10 - Techniques for Recording and Isolating Myxomycetes

Introduction

Field collections

Field Collections: Discussion of Advantages and Constraints

Isolation of myxomycetes by laboratory culture

Moist Chamber Cultures

Cold Moist Chamber Cultures

Moist Chambers: Discussion of Advantages and Constraints

Agar Cultures

Agar Cultures: Discussion of Advantages and Constraints

Environmental Sequencing

Environmental Sequencing: Discussion of Advantages and Constraints

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Further reading

Chapter 11 - Uses and Potential: Summary of the Biomedical and Engineering Applications of Myxomycetes in the 21st Century

Part A: - Bioactive Compounds From Myxomycetes

Myxomycete antimicrobial compounds

Myxomycete anticancer compounds

Other bioactive compounds obtained from myxomycetes

Initial studies on the use of myxomycete lipids for biodiesel production

Part B: - Myxomycetes in Unconventional Computing and Sensing

Shortest path

Spanning tree

Approximation of transport networks

Space exploration

Tactile sensor

Color sensor

Chemical sensor

Robot controllers

Music generation

References

Further reading

Chapter 12 - Myxomycetes in Education: The Use of These Organisms in Promoting Active and Engaged Learning

Introduction

Techniques

Collecting Myxomycetes in the Field

Setting Up Moist Chamber Cultures

Storing Fruiting Bodies and Maintaining a Collection

Culture of Myxomycetes on Agar

Identifying Myxomycetes

Collecting and Classifying Myxomycetes

Observations

Observing Feeding Behavior of Myxomycetes

Assessing Ecological Patterns of Myxomycetes

High School and Beyond

Developing Myxomycete Infomaterials for Promoting Biodiversity Conservation

Photographing Myxomycetes

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Further reading

Chapter 13 - Myxomycetes in the 21st Century

Connection with the world

Research perspectives

Conservation and management

Putting the pieces together

References

Index

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