Two species of nivicolous myxomycetes that formed fruiting bodies during three spring seasons in the lowlands of the Eastern Ukraine

Two species of nivicolous myxomycetes, Lamproderma pseudomaculatum and Lamproderma aff. pulchellum, previously considered as strictly montane, are reported from the lowlands (116–192 m a.s.l.) of the eastern Ukraine during three spring seasons. Lowland collections of L. aff. pulchellum show comparatively low genetic similarity with specimens of this species collected at high elevations and may represent a new taxon. Autumn frosts, which occurred before the formation of a stable snow cover, as well as the limited number of days with snow cover exceeding 30 cm, did not prevent the abundant fruiting of these myxomycetes.