Diversity and Ecology of Myxomycetes (Amoebozoa) Along a Vegetacional Gradient in the Peruvian Andes

The study investigated the diversity and ecology of Myxomycetes (Amoebozoa) along a vegetation gradient in the Cuzco department, Peru, spanning altitudes from 2,500 to 4,700 meters. Field collections were carried out at six sites distributed across three distinct vegetation formations: non-Amazonian Forest, paramo, and high Andean zones with and without vegetation cover. The collected material was analyzed through direct observation, cultivation in humid chambers, and morphological identification, resulting in the description of 18 species, including three new records for Peru (Diderma circumdissilens, Licea tenera, and Perichaena luteola). Species richness was higher in lower altitude environments and in substrates with greater diversity, such as dead branches and mosses, while diversity decreased with increasing altitude, reflecting more extreme environmental conditions. Principal component analysis revealed differences in community composition among the environments, associated with environmental variables and substrate types. The results highlight that the Peruvian Andes harbor a significant biodiversity of Myxomycetes, including species adapted to high-altitude conditions, reinforcing the importance of conservation and further study of these extreme ecosystems. We conclude that high mountain environments serve as biodiversity hotspots, and that future studies, including molecular techniques, are essential to understanding the distribution and adaptation of these organisms in the Andean environments.