Work

Integrative taxonomy and cryptic diversity in dictyostelids: a 42% expansion of taxa known from China with conservation implications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: An inadequate understanding of microbial eukaryotes, especially dictyostelids, threatens accurate biodiversity assessments and conservation efforts. Integrative taxonomy combining ISCCNBS color quantification, spore morphometrics, and multi-locus phylogenetics (SSU rDNA, atp1) was applied to 68 dictyostelid isolates from 200 soil samples collected across China’s biodiversity hotspots (Changbai Mountain, Shennongjia, and Jianfengling National Nature Reserves). We identified 28 taxa, including 17 new species, nine new varieties, and two already known species— collectively increasing global dictyostelid diversity by 15% (from 178 to 204 taxa) and expanding records from China by 42% (from 61 to 87 taxa). Crucially, five novel taxa were segregated by systematically revising the D. purpureum complex, with the reclassification of D. pseudosessile as an independent species, thus resolving both cryptic speciation and historical taxonomic ambiguities. Phylogenetic analyses validated these taxonomic revisions through distinct morphologicalmolecular signatures. Combined with prior findings, 18 endemic taxa are now documented from Changbai Mountain, establishing this region as a microbial diversification hotspot and advocating urgent inclusion of protists in biodiversity conservation efforts. This work provides a replicable protocol for microbial taxonomy by standardizing phenotypic descriptors and reconciling molecular-phylogenetic conflicts.

Source: Mycosphere

DOI: 10.5943/mycosphere/16/1/23