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.