Understanding the ecological roles of dictyostelid social amoebae for a sustainable future
21
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85137849459
Journal Title
Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures
Start Page
275
End Page
300
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures (2022) , 275-300
Suggested Citation
Pasookhush P., Bunsuwansakul C., Ajawatanawong P. Understanding the ecological roles of dictyostelid social amoebae for a sustainable future. Importance of Microbiology Teaching and Microbial Resource Management for Sustainable Futures (2022) , 275-300. 300. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-818272-7.00007-9 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/85045
Title
Understanding the ecological roles of dictyostelid social amoebae for a sustainable future
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Dictyostelid social amoebae or cellular slime moulds are a significant group of terrestrial unicellular eukaryotic microbes. Their life cycles are fascinating due to their aggregation into a multicellular slug-like organism and differentiation into a fruiting body. They are predicted to be highly diverse, with about 150 species currently discovered. The systematics and evolution of dictyostelids are not completely clear but significant progress has been made in the last decade. The modern classification has divided them into four families, with 12 genera. The ecological roles of dictyostelids are to control the bacterial population and cycle some minerals in soils. Dictyostelids can be found on all continents and in all ecosystems. Interestingly, the dictyostelid genome carries several genes involving bioactive compounds and antibiotic biosynthesis, thus these organisms could be a novel source of natural products.