Slime Moulds of the World

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime moulds), are a group of Protista comprising about 1200 species. They are found in moist terrestrial habitats such as soil, decaying wood, leaf litter, moss and fresh cow dung with a world wide distribution. They feed on micro organisms such as bacteria, fungal spores and similar organic matter. Much of there life cycle is invisible to us but when conditions are right they form up into a plasmodium and move about as a mass of protoplasm feeding as they go. When conditions are favourable and the plasmodium has accumulated enough food reserves it will move to a warmer, drier and better-lit location; this is often the tops of a log or plants. Where it finally transforms into one or more fruiting bodies which contain spores for dispersal this can occur within hours. The form fruiting bodies takes is dependent on species and only at this time can the species be identified.

Lat: -36.85 Long: 174.76

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