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ABSTRACT
Twelve dictyostelid slime mold species were isolated from five vegetational-climatic zones of the West-Central Himalaya as well as from tropical forests in Peninsular India. The greatest average density of propagules was in soils of the cool temperate oak-pine zone, although large numbers occurred in every zone. Most species showed obvious niche specificity in relation to zone although Polysphondylium pallidum was found in all zones. This is the most common dictyostelid in India and is a generalist in terms of distribution and morphological variety. Dictyostelium minutum, the fourth ranked species, is, by contrast, a specialist with more specific niche requirements and little morphological variation. Dictyostelium aureo-stipes was particularly abundant on the slopes of the Himalaya. In terms of species composition and diversity, populations of the West-Central Himalaya and Peninsular India were more similar to those of East Africa than Southeast Asia. A key to the dictyostelids of India is included.
