Sighting 3360162
Myxomycete-plasmodium(class)
A slime mould at O'Connor, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) | Heino | 27 Sep 2016 | |
| Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) | Heino | 27 Sep 2016 | |
| Unverified | MichaelMulvaney | 24 Sep 2016 |
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User's notes
Strange white gooey lumpy stuff that looked like it was digesting small fallen branch of Exocarpus cupressiformis. Covered an area of about 20cm x 10cm
4 comments
28 Sep 2016
This is a myxomycete (or slime mould) part way through the transition from the mobile (or plasmodial) stage to the stationary, sporing stage. In the plasmodial stage a myxomycete has no definite form. Here you see the beginnings of the development of numerous small, ball-like bodies. Eventually each would become a small ball, consisting of a very thin, brittle case within which there is a mass of powdery spores. You can get the idea of the changes from this photo (http://www.cpbr.gov.au/fungi/images-captions/leocarpus-fragilus-0311.html) where you see some plasmodium (like soft butter), an intermediate stage (yellow balls) and numerous mature spore capsules (dark brown). That gives the idea but yours is different (a white/creamy plasmodium). I did once see something like this that, at maturity, turned out to be a species of Physarum. However, plasmodial colour alone carries little information, so while you might also have a species of that genus, I can't be sure from the photo.
28 Sep 2016
Thanks Heino, is it worth me going back in a week, two weeks or so to photograph the slime mould at maturity?
28 Sep 2016
The time of maturity is hard to predict. It may already have happened. Once mature, the brittle cases can break easily and you may find little, if anything, left. If you happen to be going there, it won't hurt to look, but go with a pessimistic mind! Note that it might still not be identifiable from a photo.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.111722-35.251348
- Maps Bruce Ridge
- Places O'Connor, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 24 Sep 2016 01:33 PM Recorded on
- MichaelMulvaney Recorded by
Collections
Species information
- Myxomycete-plasmodium(class) Scientific name
- A slime mould Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1248m Recorded at altitude