Food preferences of Collembola for myxomycete plasmodia and plasmodium responses in the presence of Collembola

To further understand interactions between myxomycetes and Collembola, we investigated food preferences of Collembola for myxomycete plasmodia and their responses to Collembola. We cultured two myxomycete species (Physarum melleum and Diderma sp.) and two Collembola species (Vitronura pygmaea and Ceratophysella denticulata) in different combinations for 20 d. Vitronura pygmaea consumed plasmodia, whereas C. denticulata did not consume living plasmodia, but did consume waste slime sheaths on their slime tracks. Physarum melleum fragmented frequently in the presence of V. pygmaea. These results suggest that V. pygmaea feeds on living plasmodia, whereas C. denticulata can utilise plasmodium waste products. Fragmentation may result in the escape of some fragments from consumption by V. pygmaea.