Slime moulds (Myxomycetes)
Sporangia of Craterium minutum on a leaf
What are slime moulds?
Plasmodial slime moulds are simple organisms.
They are often grouped with fungi because their sporangia - reproductive bodies - are reminiscent of fungal fruiting bodies. However the two groups are not actually related.
Habitats and lifestyle
For most of their lifespan slime moulds are amoeba-like. Living in dark and humid terrestrial environments, they feed by incorporating and digesting algae, bacteria and fungi.
Their single-celled plasmodia can be microscopically small but in some species they can achieve gigantic dimensions of several decimetres.
When conditions become unfavourable, slime moulds switch to a completely different morphology. Appearing on the surface of rotten wood, plant debris or earth, they form sporangia which display a vast array of forms and colours.
Further information
Find out more about the biology of these fascinating organisms at:
Slime mould collection
A collection of slime moulds is curated in the lichen section, although these protists are not related to fungi.
Lichen and slime mould collections