.Physarum is representative of the true slime molds. It's characterized by a plasmodium stage: a creeping multinucleate mass of protoplasm with no cell walls. In contrast to the Acrasiomycetes, organisms such as Physarum are easily detected in the field and may be collected in the plasmodioum or sporophore stage.
.In homothallic species all gametes are compatible and any two may fuse. Gametes of different mating types, (heterothallic) are indistinguishable morphologically. Those with different alleles will fuse. Zygotes then form multinucleate protoplasmic masses, known as plasmodia. Chemical changes trigger a plasmodium to form fruiting bodies, differentiate into a sporophore and produce sporangia. The cells in the sporangia undergo meiosis and become mature haploid spores.
Return to Menu Page, Subkingdom: Myxobionta