3rd Phase

The third phase (MYXOTROPIC III) began in 2009 until December 2011. It involved the study of the biodiversity of Myxomyctes in the Patagonian steppe. This cold arid area has some of the same plant species as the warm arid areas investigated in the other two phases of the project. Along its western boundary, the subantarctic forests are also included in the sampling, and results compared to previous studies of the same vegetation. In addition, the mountain vegetation above the tree line forms part of the study. Where this vegetation coincides with the melting snow, a special group of nivicolous myxomycetes are to be found. In this phase over a thousand specimens were collected, more than 130 species were identified, and several new species were described (see publications).