Elaeomyxa
Genus of slime moulds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elaeomyxa is a genus of slime molds in the family Lamprodermataceae.[1] As of May 2022[update], there are four known species in the genus.[1] Species in this genus have been documented in North America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia.[1]
| Elaeomyxa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Elaeomyxa cerifera – photo by Peta McDonald | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Phylum: | Amoebozoa |
| Class: | Myxogastria |
| Order: | Physarales |
| Family: | Lamprodermataceae |
| Genus: | Elaeomyxa Hagelst., 1942 |
Biology
The Elaeomyxa genus belongs to the true slime mold phylum Mycetozoa (also known as Myxomycetes) of fungus-like organisms that have at different times been classified in the protist, animal, and fungi kingdoms.[2][3] Like other true slime molds, Elaeomyxa species have distinct life cycle phases.[3] During the trophic (feeding or ingesting) stage,[a] called the plasmodium, the slime mold ingests food in an amoeba-like manner.[3] The slime mold then transitions to the reproductive phase, in which fruiting bodies produce spores for reproduction.[3]
Species
The Elaeomyxa genus contains the following species:
Notes
- See: Saprotrophic nutrition for further information on the trophic stage.