MYXOMYCETES XIX

Walter Piorkowski · Post by **Walter Piorkowski** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:27 pm

Upper image:
Scale of frame, 10.2mm horizontal
Canon 10D
Canon 35mm Macro @ f/4 on extension tubes
Series of 100 images at .0025 inch increments
Diffused fiber optic illumination
Combine ZM, Photoshop

Lower image:
Scale of frame, 10.2mm horizontal
Canon 10D
Canon 35mm Macro @ f/4 on extension tubes
Series of 63 images at .002 inch increments
Diffused fiber optic illumination
Combine ZM, Photoshop

One of the giants of the myxomycete world, this is genus Lycogala. I have found them up to 5mm in diameter. Caught here (upper image) in fructification, it exhibits some pleasing pinkish color, and is larger than it will be at maturity. It is sessile or stalkless and is normally found in groups.

At maturity it is found as a dull gray/brown subject as seen in the lower image. Both subjects in this post were found amongst a field of mature dehiscenced Arcyria, the much smaller light gray cylindrical subjects.

Also in the lower image to the left is a poor myxo under merciless fungal attack. Please note that the two images are not of the same subject.

Walt

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:42 am

Excellent stacks Walt. They always look like alien worlds and the specimens are very 3D looking

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:17 am

Looks as though your specimen is not far from being under attack itself.

Have you taken a look at the spores through the microscope? There are a couple of species, if not more of Lycogala, and I was wondering which of them this was. I am only familar with L. epidendrum. Great shots of them Walt, as usual.

Walter Piorkowski · Post by **Walter Piorkowski** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:18 am

Doug, thank Combine Z for that 3D look! Ken, I did do a quick examination of some internals with the compound microscope. The pseudocapillitium were few in number and did not match the images in the two reference sources I have in my library. I am really pressed for time lately, fresh myxos seem to be popping up everywhere I look. It may not be until the winter that I can properly hydrate, mount and measure spore and pseudocapillitium. They will make some good posts for the microscopy forum.

Walt