Myxomycete diversity from arid and semiarid zones of the Canary Islands (Spain)

A study of the myxomycetes recovered from the arid, semiarid, and dry zones of the Canary Islands is presented herein. A total of sixty-three species, most growing on succulent plants, is reported. Physarum bethelii, P. confertum, and Stemonitis herbatica are cited for the first time from the Canaries, with additional new records from each island. The importance of the endemic plants such as Euphorbia canariensis as substrates for myxomycetes is analyzed. As reported from other arid zones of the world species belonging to the orders Physarales and Trichiales dominate. Badhamia melanospora, commonly recorded from the deserts of America, was the most frequently recovered species from the Canaries. The parallel between the myxobiotas of the dry areas of the Americas and the Canary Islands is also discussed. The complete study and catalogue is available at http://www.mycotaxon.com/resources/weblist.html.