Myxogastria (Slime Molds)

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This page showcases selected Myxogastria photos (plasmodial slime molds) taken over the last year in nearby Dash Point State Park. Slime molds are not molds, nor any type of fungi, and certainly not plants. They can move about searching for bacteria and fungal spores to eat, and in their much larger plasmodial stage, even engulf and consume mushrooms. They can discover the best route through a maze and even remember that route months later. Yeah, they’re weird!

I have reached the maximum magnification of my current equipment (Raynox 250 + Fujifilm 80mm macro + extension tube + Fujifilm XT-5) which is somewhat limiting for specimens that are only 1 to 3 mm in size. Many of these images required focus stacking 100 to 300 images and then processing the image stack in software to yield better depth of field than what can be accomplished with a single photo. To get more magnification would require microscope gear with an automated motorized focusing rail capable of 1/100mm steps. The cost and space requirements for that are daunting so I don’t see that happening. However, now that I know more about what I’m doing I’m sure I can produce better images next season.

Identifying the exact species is often challenging. That means some of my captions might be incorrect. Mostly what I have presented here are the fruiting body (spore case) stages which can change color and shape rather quickly. Color in any given moment is often not definitive. Most fruiting bodies start out spherical but can morph into something else entirely, like rods, and stand up on tiny hair like threads, hang down on slimy looking tendrils, or turn into something similar to a scrubbing pad. I assume these shapes are meant to be effective at spreading their tiny spores that are about the size of red blood cells. Not surprisingly, in my area at least, I often find that they have climbed to the top of large logs or dangle on the end of logs where they are better able to cast their tiny spores into the air currents.

There is a small fraternity of enthusiasts spanning the globe who collect specimens and keep them alive in small boxes. There is, of course, a Facebook group dedicated to the subject. Myxogastria can be found on all continents from deserts to alpine habitats. They have been found in Antartica and in the Sahara desert. There are reportedly Myxos that specialize in living on the melting edge of glaciers and permanent snow fields high in the Cascade Mountains. I would like to venture outside of my local park and check that out.

Trichia


Coral Slime


Something in order Trichiales


Fuligio septica (Dog Vomit)


Stemonitis axifera (Chocolate Tube)


Arcyria nutans (Banana Bunch)
Notice dusting of spores and a Springtail near the top


Physarum


Badhamia plasmodium


Order Stemonitales


Trichia decipens


Stemonitidia


Dictydiaethalium


possibly a Stemonitales


likely a Trichia


Badhamia


Lycogala epidendrum (Wolf's Milk)
notice several insect larvae crawling around