The numbers of viable myxomycete cells in the alimentary tracts of earthworms and in earthworm casts
1985
MURRAY, P.M. | FEEST, A. | MADELIN, M.F.
The numbers of ‘plasmodium-forming units' (PFUs) of myxomycetes (mycetozoa or myxogastrids) in worm casts and soil were estimated by a most-probable-number method. Casts contained about five times more PFUs g dry wt˜' than did adjacent non-cast soil. Gut contents contained similar numbers to non-cast soil, but the proportion which was freezing resistant (and presumably in a resting stage) was greater. Numbers of PFUs in incubated worm casts increased rapidly, then fell. This transient increase probably accounts for the generally higher number observed in natural casts. Earthworms may serve as vectors of myxomycetes in soil.
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