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Slime mold or slime mould is an informal name given to several kinds of unrelated eukaryotic organisms that can live freely as single cells, but can aggregate together to form multicellular reproductive structures. Slime molds were formerly classified as fungi but are no longer considered part of that kingdom. Although not forming a single monophyletic clade, they are grouped within the paraphyletic group referred to as kingdom Protista.
Lycogala epidendrum, commonly known as wolf's milk or groening's slime, is a cosmopolitan species of myxogastrid amoeba which is often mistaken for a fungus. The aethalia, or fruiting bodies, occur either scattered or in groups on damp rotten wood, especially on large logs, from June to November. These aethalia are small, pink to brown cushion-like globs. They may excrete a pink paste if the outer wall is broken before maturity. When mature, the colour tends to become more brownish. When not fruiting, single celled individuals move about as very small, red amoeba-like organisms called plasmodia, masses of protoplasm that engulf bacteria, fungal and plant spores, protozoa, and particles of non-living organic matter through phagocytosis.
Myxogastria/Myxogastrea or Myxomycetes (ICBN), is a class of slime molds that contains 5 orders, 14 families, 62 genera, and 888 species. They are colloquially known as the plasmodial or acellular slime moulds.
Trichiales is an order of slime moulds in the phylum Amoebozoa. Trichiales is one of five orders in the group Myxomycetes, or the true plasmodial slime molds. It is also currently categorized under the superorder Lucisporidia with its sister group, Liceales. The order was first described by Thomas MacBride in 1922, and has retained the same name and status as a defined order in present phylogeny. In the plasmodium form, members of Trichiales lack a columella but have a well-developed capillitium for spore dispersal. The shape and details of the capillitium are used to define families within the order. Spores are brightly coloured, ranging from clear, white and yellow to pink and red-brown tones. The order currently has 4 families, 14 genera and 174 species. Recent molecular research has shown that while Trichiales probably represents a true taxonomic group, its sister group Liceales is likely paraphyletic, and it has been suggested that several genera from the Liceales should be reclassified under Trichiales instead.
Brefeldia maxima is a species of non-parasitic plasmodial slime mold, and a member of the class Myxomycetes. It is commonly known as the tapioca slime mold because of its peculiar pure white, tapioca pudding-like appearance. A common species with a worldwide distribution, particularly in North America and Europe. It is often found on bark after heavy rain or excessive watering. Their spores are produced on or in aerial sporangia and are spread by wind, however beetles of the family Lathridiidae are also reported to disperse the spores. Bonner states that soil invertebrates and rain mainly disperse spores as they are sticky and unlikely to be carried by air currents.
Hemitricha is a genus of slime molds, of the family Trichiidae, found within the order Trichiida. It was first described by Josef Rostafinksi in 1873 and remains a well-defined genus of the slime molds. Hemitrichia species exhibit either plasmodiocarp or sporangium fruiting bodies, both of which are well-known and recognizable slime molds seen on multiple continents. The genus includes Hemtrichia serpula, known as the pretzel slime mold, an iconic and widespread species that has been used to examine speciation in slime molds.
References
- ↑ Doidge 1950, p. 1034.
- 1 2 3 4 Doidge 1950, p. 1036.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Doidge 1950, p. 1037.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Doidge 1950, p. 1039.
- 1 2 3 4 Doidge 1950, p. 1042.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Doidge 1950, p. 1048.
- ↑ Doidge 1950, p. 1049.
- 1 2 3 4 Doidge 1950, p. 1050.
- 1 2 3 Doidge 1950, p. 1053.
- 1 2 Doidge 1950, p. 1056.
- ↑ Doidge 1950, p. 1060.
- 1 2 Doidge 1950, p. 1064.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Doidge 1950, p. 1072.
- 1 2 Doidge 1950, p. 1073.
- 1 2 Doidge 1950, p. 1080.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Doidge 1950, p. 1083.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Doidge 1950, p. 1087.
Sources
- Doidge, Ethel (1950). "Titles of Works, not included in the General bibliography, and Index to Fungi and Lichens". Bothalia. Bothalia [Online]. 5 (1): 1030–1094. doi:10.4102/abc.v5i1.1880 . Retrieved 29 July 2021– via journals.abcjournal.aosis.co.za.
