Protostelids, dictyostelids and myxomycetes are well known from
terrestrial ecosystems in temperate regions but poorly known
from the tropics. This study examined the distribution and ecology of these
three groups of ‘slime moulds’ in the forest floor litter
microhabitat of five different forest types (tabonuco forest, secondary
tabonuco forest, palo colorado forest, palm forest, and elfin
forest) within the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico. Protostelids
associated with aerial litter (dead but still attached plant
parts) also were studied. At least 13 species of protostelids, 13 species
of dictyostelids and 24 species of myxomycetes were
recovered. Both species richness and abundance of dictyostelids and myxomycetes
were higher in the secondary tabonuco forest
than in any of the other forest types. The tabonuco forest yielded the
most species of protostelids, but the next highest total was
recorded from the secondary tabonuco forest. Both of these forest types
are located at the low end of the elevation gradient. Lowest
levels of species richness and abundance occurred in the elfin forest,
located at the high end of the elevation gradient. The general
pattern observed was that of decreasing diversity with increasing elevation.