Dictyostelium
Synonyms
Dictyostelium discoideum
Dictyostelium discoideums
Dictyosteliums
discoideum, Dictyostelium
A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Its natural habitat is decaying forest leaves, where it feeds on bacteria. D. discoideum is the best-known species and is widely used in biomedical research.