Polysphondylium multicystogenum sp. nov., a new dictyostelid species from Sierra Leone, West Africa

Abstract

Polysphondylium multicystogenum, a new heterothallic species of dictyostelids, is described based on three isolates collected from soils in Sierra Leone, West Africa. This species is characterized by sorophores with a combination of clavate base and ovoid to oblong tip cell, smaller spores and abundant microcyst production under the usual culture conditions for sorocarp formation at 20 C. This is the first report of Polysphondylium producing such abundant microcysts.

• dictyostelid cellular slime molds
• mating
• microcyst
• Polysphondylium multicystogenum
• species complex
• taxonomy

We are grateful for the help of Prof James C. Cavender (Ohio University) in providing the cultures of P. colligatum OH538 and P. tikaliensis OH595. We also thank Dr Ken Katsumoto for revising the Latin descriptions. The present study was supported in part by a grant from the Fujiwara Natural History Foundation.