Myxomycetes of the New Zealand subantarctic islands

Stephenson, S. L. (2011) Myxomycetes of the New Zealand subantarctic islands.

Sydowia 63 (2): 215–236

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime moulds or myxogastrids) collected during surveys carried out on Campbell Island in March 2000 and the Auckland Islands in March 2000 and March 2006 are reported. Prior to the initial survey on Campbell Island, only a single myxomycete had been reported previously from these subantarctic islands of New Zealand. Specimens collected in the field during the surveys were supplemented with additional specimens obtained in the laboratory from moist chamber cultures prepared with various types of dead plant material. Information on distribution and ecology is provided for each of the species recorded during the surveys, and the assemblages of myxomycetes recorded for Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands are compared with that reported for Macquarie Island.

Keywords: Auckland Islands, biogeography, Campbell Island, plasmodial slime molds