Myxomycetes of Shivapuri and Godawari (Kathmandu Valley), Central Nepal

Abstract

Myxomycetes are the group of fungi, which are distinct from the rest fungi because of their plasmodial characteristics. Plasmodium is a vegetative phase of Myxomycetes, which consist of many nuclei. Most of the slime moulds are saprophyte growing in damp, shady places, in wood on rotten logs, stumps or in dung in pasture. The study is focused on the exploration of Myxomycetes from the Shivapuri and Godawari hills, the protected forests of Central Nepal. Though Ceratiomyxale has been excluded from the Myxomycetes, this has been included in the thesis at present. The collection of slime molds was done from first week of September to last week of October in 2007 and 2008 just after the seven days of heavy rainfall which is suitable time for the formation of fruiting bodies of many species. The collected specimens were placed in a small box by a drop of white glue to protect fragile specimens. The specimens were examined carefully by naked eyes for observing the details of morphological characters. The microscopic characteristics of fungi were studied under stereo-microscope. Ornamentation of capillitium and spores were observed through microscope. Though, more than 35 specimens were collected in 2007 and 2008 only 12 species of 9 different genera and 5 orders were identified heaving call. no.1,4,5,7,10,11,15,16,20,27,32,35. Identified species were Arcyria pomiformis, Arcyria incarnata, Arcyria cineria, Stemoitis sp., Didymium flexuosum, Physarum viride., Hemitrichia serpula., Tubifera microsperma, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa., Fuligo cinerea., Mucilago crustacea and Didymium iridis.