Abstract for DEB-0316284, "PBI: Global Biodiversity of Eumycetozoans"
A grant has been awarded to Dr. Frederick Spiegel at the University of Arkansas to study the worldwide distribution of a group of microscopic organisms known as the Eumycetozoa. Also, known as slime molds, the eumycetozoans all have an amoeba-like stage that feeds on the bacteria and fungi that break down the dead plant matter that builds up in the environment. When the amoebal stage is done feeding, it develops into a spore-dispersing fruiting body that looks like a fungus. It is by the presence of these fruiting bodies that eumycetozoans can be identified and enumerated. Amoeboid organisms are important for releasing the nutrients locked up in the bacteria and fungi and making them available to plants. Therefore, knowing how representative amoeboid organisms are distributed around the world may give some idea of how such organisms move around and become established in an environment. Eumycetozoans are good representative amoebae because their fruiting bodies can be easily collected and identified. In addition, several eumycetozoans are important model systems in biology. This grant will fund an international team of experts on the eumycetozoans who will: 1) conduct field surveys for eumycetozoans in areas of the world that are undercollected, 2) compile a major specimen database including existing collections and the data from field surveys, 3) use this data to compile world distribution maps of all species, 4) develop a web site on eumycetozoans that will incorporate the databases, distribution maps, and comprehensive descriptions of the anticipated 1,200 - 1,300 species expected in the world wide inventory, and 5) prepare educational materials on eumycetozoans for use by interested laypersons, students, and parataxonomists. This is the first attempt at a global bioinventory of eumycetozoans (or any group of amoebae) and will produce the first comprehensive compilation of the world wide specimen base of this important group of microorganisms. The project is co-funded by NSF's Office of International Science and Engineering.
