4.1: Slime Molds
- Page ID
- 35322
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Slime molds encompass organisms from several lineages. Here, we look at three main groups. Cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) are groups of unicellular amoebae that collaborate to form fruiting structures to disperse spores. Protostelids make small fruiting bodies that have cellular stalks. Plasmodial slime molds (classified under Myxogastria or Myxomycetes) form a large, multinucleate amoeba with no cell wall that will eventually wall off individual nuclei to form spores.
Cellular Slime Molds
![Fruiting bodies with distinguishable stalks and sporangia](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45267/2.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=561&height=421)
Video \(\PageIndex{1}\) : A video showing the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium, both as individual amoebae and collaborating to form fruiting structures. Link to the YouTube video.
Protostelids
The examples shown here are Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa. This organism may not actually be a protostelid, but the small, stalked fruiting bodies with a single sporangium produced on the external surfaces are similar to what would be seen in a protostelid.
![A cellular slime mold growing on a log](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/27302/Ceratiomyxa_close_up.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=751&height=563)
![Projections of Ceratiomyxa covered in tiny fruiting structures with thin stalks and globose sporangia.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45268/3.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=805)
Plasmodial Slime Molds
Plasmodial slime molds represent a vast diversity of morphologies. While still a plasmodium (see Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\)), they can be difficult to distinguish. However, once they have formed into a fruiting structure, they can form distinct, varied, and amazing shapes (see Figure \(\PageIndex{6-9}\))!
The Plasmodium
![A bright yellow slime has fanned across the surface of some dead wood. Raised veins are visible traversing the plasmodium.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45269/4.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=530&height=707)
Sporocarp Diversity
![A plasmodiocarp. The veins of the plasmodium have formed into a network of spore-filled tubes.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45270/5.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=626&height=470)
![Lycogala oozing pink goo after being poked](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/26855/Lycogala.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=694&height=520)
![A pink slime mold with distinct columns of sporangia that have formed into a single (sort of spiky) cushion](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45271/6.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=691&height=518)
![Four fruiting structures, each with a pale white stalk and dark sporangium that has an oil-sheen look to it (rainbowed)](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45272/7.jpg?revision=1)
Other Features
![sporocarp with a distinct stalk and sporangium. From the sporangium, pink threads emerge.](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45273/8.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=445&height=653)
In addition to having interesting macroscopic morphologies, they also have interesting microscopic features! Ornamentation and size of the spores, as well as the appearance of the capillitial threads, can be necessary for identification.
![Microscopic view of ornamented capillitial threads (like blackberry prickles) and spores](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45274/10.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=467&height=456)
![Bright yellow capillitial threads with a twisted pattern, viewed under the microscope](https://bio.libretexts.org/@api/deki/files/45275/9.jpg?revision=1&size=bestfit&width=580&height=435)