Corticolous myxomycetes from Belize

Summary. Sixty bark samples were collected from living trees at seven sites in different ecological regions of Belize and cultured in moist chambers. 37 species of myxomycetes were isolated all of which are new records for Belize. Twelve species are new records for Central America and two, Licea erectoides and Paradiacheopsis rigida, are new to the western hemisphere. The rare Physarum tropicale is recorded for the first time outside Mexico. samples of bark from living trees in several areas of Belize, representing different ecological regions of the country. Sixty samples were collected, later placed in moist chambers in Chester using the standard method devised by Gilbert & Martin (1933). The cultures were maintained for a minimum of three months and in some cases, e.g. Willkommlangea, for up to six months. This allows the slower growing casual species to develop and thus assures a wider range of species is identified from the region. Results are reported here. A total of 37 species were obtained, all of which represent new records for Belize. All specimens are preserved in Herb. B. Ing. The tropical climate and diversity of landscape of mainland Belize provide an environment for some 4000 species of native flowering plants, including 250 species of orchid and approximately 700 species of native trees (Mallan 1993). Belize is divided into several climatic zones which are governed by rainfall, and the still extensive forests form four distinct communities - pine-oak, mixed broad-leaf, riveraine and cohune palm forest. Belize is bordered by off-shore fringing coral reefs and cayes, ranging in size from small coral islands awash at high tide to substantial islets with mangroves and coconut palms. Myxomycetes from Belize have received little study, the few recorded species being included by Farr (1976). Distributional comments given below are based on this reference and, for Mexico, additionally on Hernandez-Cuevas et al. (1991).