Myxomycete Plasmodia and Fruiting Bodies: Unusual Occurrences and User-friendly Study Techniques

Abstract

Plasmodia, sclerotia, and fruiting bodies are stages in the myxomycete life cycle that are easiest to recognize in the field. These stages can be found on different substrata such as living and dead plants and animals on the forest floor and in the canopy on bark of living trees and vines. This paper describes unusual habitats of myxomycetes on living lizards, mammal skulls, spiders, on other myxomycetes and fungi, and provides additional information needed to collect and identify these fascinating protists. The complete myxomycete life cycle is illustrated in detail, including trophic stages (myxamoebae, swarm cells, and plasmodia), and dormant stages (spores, microcysts, sclerotia, and fruiting bodies). Techniques are described that involve the collection and identification of myxomycetes through the use of moist chamber cultures, harvesting specimens, and slide preparation tips, all of which can be done at home given the proper materials. Studio photographic techniques are described that illustrate larger specimens, for example, the evidence of plasmodial tracks on a dog and deer skull. Moist chamber cultures are miniature “gardens” that may have life forms such as cyanobacteria, lichens, leafy liverworts, mosses, mushrooms, myxomycetes, colorful myxobacteria, nematodes, tardigrades, insects, and arachnids. The culture methods described here were used by school children for research projects, scientific professionals in research laboratories, and amateur hobbyists in their homes.