Myxobiota of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: species on oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis, Arecaceae)

Abstract Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (Arecaceae), the oil palm tree, serves as a phorophyte for many different groups of organisms, someof whichhelp decompose organic matter comingfromthe organs of the tree itself or fromremainsof other plants retained in leaf sheaths. To study the myxobiota of E. guineensis, we examined living and dead trunks, leaves, bracts and inflorescences in the Gurjaú Ecological Reserve, in the township of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Brazil. Incidence and species abundance were determined in three Atlantic forest fragments. The reported species are listed herein, followed the known distribution of each species in Brazil, and which of them occur on palm trees. All of the subclasses and five orders were recorded and 22 species were added to the list of myxomycetes associated with oil palm trees in Brazil. The highest incidence value was recorded on dead leaves. Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (O. F. Müll.) T. Macbr., Arcyria cinerea (Bull.)Pers. and Physarum compressum Alb.& Schwein. werethe most commonspecies, while Hemitrichia serpula (Scop.) Rostaf. ex Lister showed the highest levels of abundance and incidence, thus confirming its preference for the substrates provided by palm trees.