Handbook handbook mold mold myxomycetes slime slime

They are common in forests, often developing on tree bark, decaying logs, stumps, dead leaves, and other organic litter. Similar to true molds, they are mostly associated with cool and moist habitats.

Although most slime molds are terrestrial, several species have been reported from aquatic habitats. The plasmodia of these species live completely underwater and only emerge to develop fruiting bodies [4]. Most species have a cosmopolitan distribution.

However, some species can only be found in the tropics or only in temperate regions. Interestingly, the diversity of slime molds seems to be greater in temperate regions than in the tropics [4]. Experts believe that this is due to several reasons, notably high amounts of rainfall that wash away different stages of slime mold development, a lack of air movement that is detrimental to spore dispersal. Furthermore, high humidity promotes fungal invasion. However, it has also been suggested that the Myxomycetes that occur in tropical forests only occasionally form fruiting bodies, thus evading detection in these already poorly investigated habitats.

Some species of slime molds referred to as strictly nivicolous species that live at the high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains and the Alps are often found fruiting on melting snowbanks in late spring and early summer. Also, some species occur in Arctic and Antarctic environments and have been collected from places such as Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, and the Antarctic Peninsula [4].

Additionally, several species have been reported in extremely dry places such as the Atacama Desert, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and in western Mongolia [1].

Although slime molds are not generally associated with indoor environments, they likely exist in our houses in one shape or another. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that slime molds are ubiquitous, and possibly in our homes, although remaining in dormant states for the most part.

As part of the data analysis presented inside our mold statistics resource page, we have calculated how often mold spore types appear in different parts of the indoor environment when mold levels are elevated.

Below are the stats for Myxomycetes :. Myxomycetes are not known to be pathogenic or of economic importance. Due to these facts, they were poorly studied. However, associations between Myxomycetes and humans are rare. Although several species are known to form fruiting bodies on living plants, including ornamentals, grasses, and crops, the damage to the plants is practically non-existent and the slime molds are washed off with the first rain. A particularly large growth of Fuligo septica in a neighborhood of Dallas in caused quite an alarm and even made the nationwide news.

The mass broke apart when washed away with water, but the blobs continued to crawl about and increase in size, causing panic amongst citizens. Eventually, the blobs were identified as nothing more than a slime mold and the excitement waned [4].

In any case, slime molds are usually nothing to worry about. Fantastic Drawings. Good overview of the Genera. Nichole Caryl rated it it was amazing Nov 22, John O. Keeler rated it really liked it May 18, Sara Blauman rated it did not like it Nov 09, Jason rated it really liked it Jan 07, Donna rated it it was amazing Aug 18, Kim Fleming rated it really liked it Sep 09, Justin Craig rated it it was amazing Aug 10, Michele rated it really liked it Jul 21, Douglas Angerman rated it really liked it Oct 01, Kyla Gatlin rated it it was amazing Mar 22, Ahmad Fiki rated it really liked it Mar 28, Marty rated it really liked it Feb 02, Forest Sarka Chick rated it really liked it Aug 02, Bennet rated it really liked it Sep 06, Nick marked it as to-read Aug 27, Nola marked it as to-read Nov 13, Ken-ichi marked it as to-read Jan 26, Midono added it Feb 11, Mathias marked it as to-read Nov 08, Sanjaana Sharma marked it as to-read Nov 30, Karwan marked it as to-read Dec 05, Noemi Moza montes marked it as to-read Mar 06, Rachel marked it as to-read Mar 26, Joana Marie marked it as to-read Jul 07, Alexandra Finnemore marked it as to-read Nov 25, Alan marked it as to-read Apr 02, Veronica added it Jun 09, Lisa marked it as to-read Sep 24, Zachary marked it as to-read Jan 03, Yasin Kitichantaropas marked it as to-read May 19, Jay marked it as to-read Jun 20, Devon marked it as to-read Jul 24, Konork Tanti marked it as to-read Sep 25, Cecirly Puig added it Oct 08, Kolby Kirk marked it as to-read Jan 17, Stephenson , H.

Stempen Published 1 September Biology This book identifies all the species one is likely to encounter, with extensive information on their structural features, distribution, and ecological associations. Superbly illustrated, including keys, it is an introduction to their biology as well as a field guide.

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