Where the Slime Mould Creeps

by Sarah Lloyd

Slime moulds are not slimy, nor do they look like mould; in fact, most are exquisite. Fuligo septica is an exception. This common cosmopolitan species forms amorphous yellowish blobs known variously throughout the world by the evocative names 'dog's vomit slime', 'moon shit', 'demon droppings' or 'snake poo'. Plasmodial or acellular slime moulds--also known as Myxomycetes--are mysterious and ubiquitous, yet few people know they exist.One reason for this is their size. Most of their reproductive structures are so small that they are easily overlooked by all but a dedicated few prepared to search trees, logs, stumps and leaf litter with magnifying lens and torch. Naturalist, writer and photographer Sarah Lloyd is perfectly located to search for myxomycetes in the tall wet eucalypt forest that surrounds her home in northern Tasmania. Her photographs of over sixty species capture the colour and variety in their miniature spore-bearing 'fruits'. She is also ideally situated to document over hours and days some common but rarely seen events including actively feeding plasmodia (one of the two animal-like stages of a myxomycete) and the transformation of plasmodia to reproductive structures. In the 19th century three type specimens of myxomycetes--the original specimens used by an author to describe a new species--were collected from Tasmania. And even though cool temperate forests are known to be rich in myxomycetes and there have been occasional collecting trips to this remote corner of the world, it has taken a local naturalist to discover these riches and to share her passion for these ecologically important organisms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science

100 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Saphira Bloom-Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a dearth of books about slime moulds, specifically those targeted to the lay person not the taxonomist.
This is a great reference book for slime mould enthusiasts wanting to get more technical, arcane, and specialist knowledge. It includes photo time series, details about life cycle and morphology, information on photography, where to find them, and how to store them, and much more.
I would have happily devoured a book three times as long. Expanding the book would allow topic transitions to be more fluent and more technical sections to be elaborated on.
It is a very concise book, however this is also a benefit as it is possible to take it to the field and easily find information on morphology and images as required. It is more of a reference guide and compilation of information than one fluent book.
The pictures are really excellent and provide great references as to the diversity and types of slime mould and how drastically their appearance changes as they "mature".
I found the sections on substrate and stories about the ephemeral and sporadic nature of slime moulds very practical for a new slime mould hunter like myself.
This book is definitely a must-read / must-own for any slime mould lover.

[casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m officially, completely enthralled by myxomycetes. This book is wonderful in its examples and full length break downs of every aspect of the lives of slime moulds. The pictures are so beautiful and the descriptions of Black Sugarloaf made me feel like I was actually there.

My only downfall is in the language, solely because it’s (understandably) not made for me - an average reader - so I found myself re-rereading sections many times and still getting lost in what we were
talking about. All the more reason to keep learning!

[Peter Nagels · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re just getting into slime moulds in Australia, this is the book for you. Once you start investigating the underside of rotting logs and you come across these beauties, you’ll want to know more and if you read this book, you will be truly amazed.
There is a later edition out.

[Sacha]

Mentioned in Creatures That Don't Conform article by Lucy Jones.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images in the updated version are phenomenal. Absolutely loved this deeply nerdy experience.