The Biota of the Gordon Natural Area - Slime Molds
Research into the myxomycetes (aka, slime molds) of the GNA has been relatively informal and consists of GNA staff photographing, identifying, and documenting the slime molds that they encounter at the Gordon. Most often, these activities have taken place in conjunction with the staff undertaking other tasks.
The cataloging of slime molds began in 2017 with GNA Stewardship Manager Nur Ritter and GNA Student Intern Alexandra Hodowanec. This work has continued since that time with other student interns—principally Paige Vermeulen, Maribeth Beatty, and Ariana Rivellini—being very involved in this research. Data have also been compiled from a few photos of GNA slime molds in the Gordon that were posted to Facebook and to iNaturalist.
Currently, the GNA slime mold checklist contains 38 species in 19 genera, 12 families, and 6 orders. Many slime molds are extremely small and difficult to notice. Additionally, timing (i.e., luck) plays a significant role in whether or not a particular ‘occurrence’ is observed, as the fertile form can be quite short-lived. Nevertheless, given the high level of interest in slime molds among the GNA staff, we anticipate encountering many additional species as we continue with this work.
You can explore the slime mold checklist below, or you can access a pdf copy of the checklist (without photos)
Arcyria cinerea (White Carnival Candy Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Arcyriaceae
Notes
Common Name: White Carnival Candy Slime
Years Noted: 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter; Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; A. Rivellini
Images
White Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria cinerea)
White Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria cinerea)
White Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria cinerea)
Arcyria denudata (Pink Carnival Candy Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Arcyriaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Pink Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria denudata)
Pink Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria denudata)
Pink Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria denudata)
Pink Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria denudata)
Pink Carnival Candy Slime (Arcyria denudata)
Arcyria pomiformis (Golden Apple Slime Mold*)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Arcyriaceae
Notes
Common Name: Golden Apple Slime Mold (common name from GNA staff)
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: Edvin Johannesen (from photo on Facebook); First Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Golden Apple Slime Mold* (Arcyria pomiformis)
Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var fruticulosa (Coral Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Ceratiomyxaceae
Notes
Common Names: Coral Slime; White-fingered Slime Mold
Years Noted: 2017; 2018
Identified By: A. Hodowanec
Also Noted By: N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty
Comments:
Seemingly, the most common and abundant slime mold at the GNA.
Images
Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa)
White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. fruticulosa)
White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. fruticulosa)
White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. fruticulosa)
White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. fruticulosa)
White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. fruticulosa) showing the external spores
Ceratiomyxa porioides (Coral Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Ceratiomyxaceae
Synonyms: Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porioides
Notes
Common Names: Coral Slime
Year Noted: 2017; 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Hodowanec; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty
Images
Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa porioides)
Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa porioides)
Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa porioides)
Coral Slime (Ceratiomyxa porioides)
Cribraria Indet 1 (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Cribrariaceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2019
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Note: The white covering on some of the sporangia is Nectriopsis rexiana, a myxomyceticolous fungus: i.e., a fungus that parasitizes slime molds.
Images
Cribraria (No Common Name)
Cribraria Indet. (No Common Name)
Cribraria Indet 2 (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Cribrariidae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2020
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Note: The white covering on some of the sporangia is Nectriopsis rexiana, a myxomyceticolous fungus (i.e., a fungus that parasitizes slime molds).
Images
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Cribraria Indet. #2 on a heavily-decayed log
Physarales Indet 1 (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Incertae sedis
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Growing on unidentified bryophytes. To date, the only occurrence noted in the Gordon.
Images
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
Physarales Indet. #1 (No Common Name)
cf Badhamia utricularis (Hanging Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Notes
Common Name: Hanging Slime Mold
Synonyms: Physarum utriculare
Year Noted: 2020
Identified By: romainclem (iNaturalist); First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
The identity of this species is a bit uncertain, owing to fully-developed material not having been noted.
Images
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Hanging Slime Mold (Badhamia utricularis)
Fuligo septica (Dog Vomit Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Synonyms: Aethalium violaceum; Fuligo candida; Fuligo septica var. candida; Fuligo septica var. rufa; Fuligo violacea
Notes
Common Names: Dog Vomit Slime Mold; Scrambled Egg Slim Mold
Years Noted: 2017; 2018; 2019
Identified and First Noted By: A. Hodowanec; Also Noted By: N. Ritter; M. Beatty; J. Schedlbauer; B. Dowart
Comments:
The appearance is a good fit for the common name.
Images
Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo septica)
Dog Vomit Slime Mold (Fuligo septica)
Physarum cf didermoides (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Synonyms: Diderma spumarioides; Didymium spumarioides
Notes
Common Names: No Common Name
Synonyms: Diderma spumarioides; Didymium spumarioides; Physarum cf. didermoides
Year Noted: 2017
Identified By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Formerly placed in the Didymiaceae.
Images
Physarum didermoides (No Common Name)
Physarum didermoides (No Common Name)
Physarum didermoides (No Common Name)
Physarum didermoides (No Common Name)
Physarum didermoides (No Common Name)
Physarum globuliferum (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Images
Physarum globuliferum (No Common Name)
Physarum globuliferum (No Common Name)
Physarum globuliferum (No Common Name)
Physarum globuliferum (No Common Name)
Physarum Indet 1 (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter (from photo)
Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Images
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum Indet 2 (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Identified By: F. Speigel (photos on Facebook)
Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Comments:
Growing on a decorticated area of a large, fallen Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).
Images
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Notes
Common Name: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2020
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Images
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum leucopus (No Common Name)
Physarum polycephalum (Many-headed Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Physaraceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2017; 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Images
Many-headed Slime (Physarum polycephalum)
Many-headed Slime (Physarum polycephalum)
Many-headed Slime (Physarum polycephalum)
Tubifera ferruginosa (Raspberry Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Reticulariaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2008; 2017; 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: M. Beatty; P. Vermeulen
Comments:
Formerly placed in the Tubiferaceae.
Images
Raspberry Slime Mold (Tubifera ferruginosa)
Raspberry Slime Mold (Tubifera ferruginosa)
Raspberry Slime Mold (Tubifera ferruginosa)
Brefeldia maxima (Tapioca Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Tapioca Slime (Brefeldia maxima)
Tapioca Slime (Brefeldia maxima)
Tapioca Slime (Brefeldia maxima)
Lamproderma cf violaceum (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Notes
Year Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Lamproderma_violaceum_NR_11_29_18_i
Lamproderma violaceum (No Common Name)
Lamproderma violaceum (No Common Name)
Stemonitis fusca (Chocolate Tube Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Synonyms: Stemonitis nigrescens
Notes
Common Names: Chocolate Tube Slime; Tree Hair
Years Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Images
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis fusca)
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis fusca)
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis fusca)
Stemonitis Indet (Chocolate Tube Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Notes
Common Name: Chocolate Tube Slime
Year Noted: 2017; 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Images
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis)
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis)
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis)
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis)
Symphytocarpus Indet 1 (Hairbrush Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Notes
Common Name: Hairbrush Slime Mold
Identified By: N. Ritter
Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Comments:
Note: The common name was assigned by GNA Staff.
Images
Hairbrush Slime Mold (Symphytocarpus)
Hairbrush Slime Mold (Symphytocarpus)
Hairbrush Slime Mold (Symphytocarpus)
Hairbrush Slime Mold (Symphytocarpus)
Hemitrichia clavata (Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Synonyms: Trichia clavata
Notes
Common Names: Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Hodowanec
Images
Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime (Hemitrichia clavata)
Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime (Hemitrichia clavata)
Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime (Hemitrichia clavata)
Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime (Hemitrichia clavata)
Yellow Fuzz Cone-slime (Hemitrichia clavata)
Hemitrichia Indet 1 (Hemitrichia)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2017; 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Hodowanec; P. Vermeulen
Hemitrichia Indet 2 (Hemitrichia)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Years Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Hemitrichia serpula (Pretzel Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Pretzel Slime
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Rivellini
Images
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula)
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula)
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula)
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula)
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula)
Pretzel Slime (Hemitrichia serpula). Parasitized by Polycephalomyces tomentosus.
Metatrichia cf floriformis (Kukkatakkunen: Finland)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Synonyms: Craterium floriforme; Trichia floriformis
Notes
Common Names: Kukkatakkunen: Finland
Synonyms: Craterium floriforme; Metatrichia cf. floriformis; Trichia floriformis
Year Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen
Comments:
Note: This material is presumed to be this species, but there is some uncertainty even about the identification of the genus.
Images
Kukkatakkunen: Finland (Metatrichia floriformis)
Kukkatakkunen: Finland (Metatrichia floriformis)
Metatrichia vesparium (Wasps Nest Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Synonyms: Hemitrichia vesparium
Notes
Common Names: Wasp's Nest Slime Mold
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty
Images
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium) parasitized by Polycephalomyces tomentosus.
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Perichaena depressa (Flagstone Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Flagstone Slime Mold*
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Flagstone Slime Mold* (Perichaena depressa)
Trichia cf decipiens (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Wasp's Nest Slime Mold
Synonyms: Hemitrichia vesparium
Year Noted: 2018; 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini
Images
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Wasp's Nest Slime Mold (Metatrichia vesparium)
Trichia favoginea (Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold
Year Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold (Trichia favoginea)
Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold (Trichia favoginea)
Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold (Trichia favoginea)
Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold (Trichia favoginea)
Yellow Egg-shaped Slime Mold (Trichia favoginea)
Trichia scabra (Saffron Soldiers)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: Saffron Soldiers*
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: A. Rivellini
Images
Saffron Soldiers* (Trichia scabra)
Saffron Soldiers* (Trichia scabra)
Saffron Soldiers* (Trichia scabra)
Saffron Soldiers* (Trichia scabra)
Trichia varia (No Common Name)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Trichiaceae
Notes
Common Names: No Common Name
Year Noted: 2018
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Trichia varia (No Common Name)
Trichia varia (No Common Name)
Trichia varia (No Common Name)
Trichia varia (No Common Name)
Lycogala epidendrum (Wolfs Milk Slime)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Tubiferaceae
Synonyms: Lycoperdon epidendrum
Notes
Common Names: Wolf's Milk Slime
Year Noted: 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; J. Kline; N. Long; A². Rivellini; D. Mandato
Comments:
One of the most common slime molds at the GNA.
Images
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Wolf's Milk Slime (Lycogala epidendrum)
Lycogala flavofuscum (Dark Yellow Lycogala)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Tubiferaceae
Notes
Common Names: Dark Yellow Lycogala
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Dark Yellow Lycogala (Lycogala flavofuscum)
Dark Yellow Lycogala (Lycogala flavofuscum)
Dark Yellow Lycogala (Lycogala flavofuscum)
Dark Yellow Lycogala (Lycogala flavofuscum)
Reticularia lycoperdon (Silver Hand)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Tubiferaceae
Synonyms: Enteridium lycoperdon
Notes
Common Names: Silver Hand
Year Noted: 2018; 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty
Images
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Silver Hand (Reticularia lycoperdon)
Reticularia splendens (Réticulaire Splendide: Québec)
Group: Slime Molds
Family: Tubiferaceae
Synonyms: Enteridium splendens
Notes
Common Names: Réticulaire Splendide [Québec]
Year Noted: 2019
Identified By: N. Ritter
Images
Réticulaire Splendide (Reticularia splendens)
Réticulaire Splendide (Reticularia splendens)
Réticulaire Splendide (Reticularia splendens)
Réticulaire Splendide (Reticularia splendens)