Introduction

Slime moulds belong to the phylum Mycetozoa, placed here within the Kingdom Protozoa. They are eukaryotic organisms with life cycles that combine features of both amoebae and fungi, which is why they have been moved between taxonomic groups many times. Modern classifications usually place them within the Amoebozoa, but their Linnaean rank varies depending on the system.

Most of my observations fall under Class Myxomycetes (true slime moulds), the group that produces the familiar sporangia seen on logs, leaf litter and other damp substrates.

Slime moulds are notoriously difficult to identify from photographs alone. Most of my records remain at genus or higher levels, which reflects both their diversity and the limitations of visual identification.

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Life Cycle

The life cycle of slime moulds is distinctive and involves several alternating stages. The main stages are:

1. Spores
   Produced in the fruiting bodies (sporangia). Each spore contains a single nucleus and can remain dormant until conditions improve.
2. Germination → Myxamoebae or Swarm Cells
   When moisture is available, spores germinate into myxamoebae (amoeboid cells), or swarm cells (flagellated cells) in very wet conditions. These two forms can switch between one another depending on the environment.
3. Feeding and Growth
   Myxamoebae feed on bacteria and organic particles. They reproduce by simple cell division and can persist in this stage for extended periods.
4. Plasmodium
   Compatible myxamoebae fuse to form a plasmodium — a single, multinucleate mass of protoplasm that moves slowly across substrates while feeding. This is the stage most often noticed in the field before fruiting.
5. Sclerotium (Resting Stage)
   If conditions become dry or unfavourable, the plasmodium can form a sclerotium, a hardened, dormant structure that can survive until moisture returns.
6. Fruiting Bodies (Sporangia)
   When ready to reproduce, the plasmodium forms sporangia. Inside these structures, spores develop and are eventually released, completing the cycle.

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Class Myxomycetes (True Slime Moulds)

True slime moulds are the best‑known members of Mycetozoa. They form visible fruiting bodies that vary widely in shape, colour and structure. They are typically found on decaying wood, bark, leaf litter and other damp organic material.

Identification often requires microscopic examination of spores and internal structures, so many field observations remain at genus level or above.

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Below are some of my slime mould observations recorded on iNaturalist. Most have yet to be identified.