Slime Moulds

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Slime moulds are a diverse group of organsims that are neither plants, animals nor fungi. They spend most of their life as microscopic single-celled amoeboid individuals in leaf litter, soil or decaying wood, and when conditions are right they reproduce and form a larger, spreading structure called a plasmodium, which in turn produces fruiting bodies (Secretive Slime Moulds: Myxomycetes of Australia By Steven L. Stephenson).

Examples of the plasmodium stage can be viewed here: Myxomycete plasmodium
Examples of the past plasmodial stage (including fruiting bodies) can be viewed here: Myxomycete - past plasmodial stage

For beginners, here is a “A Key to Common Genera of Slime Moulds” written and illustrated by Peta McDonald, a Melbourne primary school teacher: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/A_Key_to_Common_Genera_of_Slime_Moulds.pdf

A more technical key can be found in “Taxonomic Keys and Plates from The Myxomycetes”, a book by George W. Martin and Constantine J. Alexopoulos: https://www.myxotropic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/MyxoKeys.pdf

For a photo gallery of slime moulds from around the world check out this one on a Spanish myxomycetes website: https://www.myxotropic.org/galeria/

Further information:

Slime Moulds

Featured sightings

Nannengaella mellea at Kianga, NSW - 25 Jul 2024 by Teresa

Metatrichia floriformis at Kianga, NSW - 25 Jul 2024 by Teresa

Elaeomyxa cerifera at BA124 - 15 Jun 2024 by Teresa

Physarum compressum at Bodalla State Forest - 9 Jun 2024 by Teresa

Trichia affinis at Kianga, NSW - 23 Jul 2019 by Teresa

Cribraria sp. (genus) (Slime mould) at Bodalla State Forest - 15 Apr 2024 by Teresa

Stemonitis sp. (genus) (A slime mould) at Watson, ACT - 4 Feb 2024 by AniseStar

Stemonitales (Order) at Stromlo, ACT - 13 Jan 2022 by trevorpreston

Latest sightings

Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) (A slime mould) at Figtree, NSW by PaperbarkNativeBees

Fuligo septica (Scrambled egg slime) at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) (A slime mould) at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Fuligo septica (Scrambled egg slime) at Bonner, ACT by TM

Stemonitis sp. (genus) (A slime mould) at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Hemitrichia serpula at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa (Coral Slime) at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Arcyria sp. (genus) (A slime mould) at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Arcyria cinerea at Kianga, NSW by Teresa

Myxomycete - past plasmodial stage at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) (A slime mould) at Pebbly Beach, NSW by jeremyahagan

Fuligo septica (Scrambled egg slime) at Paddys River, ACT by fungologist2020

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Discussion

Teresa wrote:

17 Dec 2024

Mucilago crustacea goes through a white plasmodial stage and is generally associated in grassy areas rather than on chip mulch. Are you able to revisit this today or tomorrow to observe the mature stage? We we last saw some similar to this it took five days to mature before we could positively say it was a Fuligo species, most probably F. septica; its impossible to be 100% certain without microscopic examination, perhaps you can do some micros or collect and lodge at the herbarium.

Myxomycete-plasmodium(class)

Teresa wrote:

12 Dec 2024

Looks very like an ageing Fuligo septica - already started to dehisce and release its spores

Fuligo septica

Teresa wrote:

10 Dec 2024

@KenT thanks for the extra effort but unfortunately that is often the way with these gorgeous critters

Myxomycete - past plasmodial stage

KenT wrote:

9 Dec 2024

Unfortunately I didn't get back until late the following day and all that remained was remnants of a disintegrated slimy mess.

Myxomycete - past plasmodial stage

Teresa wrote:

9 Dec 2024

Noted the recorded date was 13/05/2024 so am guessing you were unable to follow this one the next day.
On looking at its formation and adherence to the grass stems I am suggesting it may be Leocarpus fragilis.
Note, only a suggestion, as we do require to see the mature specimen. Its always best to do microscopic examination to be certain, so when ever you find these its always best to return a few hours later the same day or the following morning to find the mature state.
Great images, thankyou

Myxomycete - past plasmodial stage