DISSERTATION RESEARCH: THE RESPONSE OF MYXOMYCETE COMMUNITIES TO 14 YEARS OF N, P, AND K ADDITION IN A LOWLAND TROPICAL RAIN FOREST

粘菌或原生黏菌是许多土壤中最丰富的原生动物之一，它们以细菌和其他微生物为食。粘菌的生态作用可能是相当大的，但人们对它的研究很少。该项目与巴拿马史密森热带研究所合作，利用在低地热带森林中进行的长期营养施肥实验，利用环境DNA测序来调查氮、磷和其他营养物质的添加对土壤中粘菌群落的影响。预计结果将提供关于热带土壤原生动物如何对营养作出反应的第一批数据，并有助于更好地了解这些微小的捕食者如何影响热带森林的功能。该项目的更广泛影响包括加强粘菌研究的遗传数据库、国际合作、对研究生和本科生的培训以及公众宣传。DNA测序数据将向公众公布。该项目将为通过国际奖学金计划就读于阿肯色大学的巴拿马学生和合作者博士研究生提供研究经验。这位联合PI已经通过几家公共媒体展示了她的研究成果，并计划进一步向公众展示。

Myxomycetes, or plasmodial slime molds, are among the most abundant protozoans in many soils, where they feed on bacteria and other microorganisms. The ecological role of myxomycetes may be considerable but has been studied very little. In collaboration with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, this project takes advantage of a long-term, nutrient fertilization experiment in lowland, tropical forest to investigate the effects of additions of nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients on communities of myxomycetes in the soil using environmental DNA sequencing. Results are expected to provide the first data on how tropical soil protozoans respond to nutrients and to lead to increased understanding of how these tiny predators may influence the functioning of tropical forests.The broader impacts of the project include enhancement of the genetic database for studies of myxomycetes, international collaboration, training of graduate and undergraduate students, and public outreach. DNA sequencing data will be made available to the public. The project will provide research experience for Panamanian students attending the University of Arkansas through an international scholarship program and for the co-PI, a Ph.D. student. The co-PI has already presented her research through several public media outlets and plans further presentations to the public.