Ecology and world distribution of Barbeyella minutissima (Myxomycetes)

On the basis of all accessible records from the literature and our own field observations and collections, the ecology of the rare myxomycete Barbeyella minutissima is described. Analysis of these data, derived mainly from the Northern Ammergauer Alps (Germany) and the Appalachian Mountains (USA: West Virginia, North Carolina), permit the microhabitat requirements of this myxomycete and its ecological associations with other myxomycetes and bryophytes to be elucidated in some detail. Barbeyella minutissima appears to have a distribution centred in montane spruce-fir forests, where it is regularly associated with three other species of myxomycetes - Colloderma oculatum, Lamproderma columbinum, and Lepidoderma tigrinum. Several leafy liverworts are associated with Barbeyella. Particularly noteworthy is Nowellia curvifolia, which seems to be an indicator organism for this myxomycete. A world distribution map of Barbeyella minutissima is provided, along with conclusions relating to the putative range of the species.