Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Slime Moulds: The Tiny Charmers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Fungi and their Role in Sustainable Development: Current Perspectives

  • 1861 Accesses

Abstract

Slime moulds are the special organisms exhibiting characters similar to lower animal groups on one side and with fungi on the other side. They show a plasmodial stage in the life cycle with amoeboid movement which is similar to protozoans. They produce sporocarp-bearing spores within similar to fungi. Because of this, they were sometimes considered as “animalcules”, or they gained the name “slime moulds”. Today they are separated from both these groups and are thought to form a separate group. But even today these organisms are studied by the mycologists. There are basically two types of slime moulds – cellular and plasmodial. In this chapter, we will primarily discuss the plasmodial slime moulds. They typically belong to the group Myxomycetes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adl MS (2003) The ecology of soil decomposition. CABI Publishing, Wallingford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Adl MS, Gupta VVSR (2006) Protists in soil ecology and forest nutrient cycling. Can J For Res 36:1805–1817

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Admitzky A (2009) Physarum boats: if Plasmodium sailed, it would never leave port. Appl Bionics Biomech. https://doi.org/10.1080/11762320902863890 Online

  • Admitzky A, Jones J (2008) Towards Physarum robots: computing and manipulating on water surface. J Bionic Eng 5:348–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1956) Some slime molds of Southern India IV and V. J Indian Bot Soc 35(27,37):210–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1968) Some slime moulds of Southern India. 10. Sydowia 22:179–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1958) Notes on Fungi from NorthEast India II. An undescribed myxomycetes from Assam. J Indian Bot Soc 37:499–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1959a) A list of Indian myxomycetes. J Madras Univ B:120

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1959b) Notes on Fungi from Northeast India IV. J Indian Bot Soc 38:418–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihothrudu V (1961) Some slime molds of Southern India 10. Sydowia 22:179–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhide VP, Sathe AV, Pande A, Patwardhan PG, Rao VG (1987) Fungi of Maharashtra. Suppl. I. Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science, Pune

    Google Scholar 

  • Block I, Briegleb W, Sobick V, Wohlfarth-Bettermann KE (1986) Contraction behaviour and protoplasmic streaming in the slime mold Physarum polycephalum (Physarum kinetics). In: Proceedings of Norderney Symposium on Scientific Results of the German Spacelab Mission D1. Institut fūr Zytologie. Universität Bonn, Bonn, pp 408–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins OR (1969) Complementation between two color mutants in a true slime mold, Didymium iridis. Genetics 63:93–102

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Considine JM, Mallette MF (1965) Production and partial purification of antibiotic materials formed by Physarum gyrosum. Appl Microbiol 13(3):464–468

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins JE, Rusch HP (1968) Natural synchrony in the slime molds. Endeavour 27:124–129

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dembitsky VM, Razenka T, Spizek J, Hanus LO (2005) Secondary metabolites of slime molds. (Myxomycetes). Phytochemistry 66:747–769

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dembitsky VM, Razenka T, Spizek J, Hanus LO (2010) Secondary metabolites of slime molds. Theory Biosci 129(1):15–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Everhart SE, Keller HW, Ely JS (2008) Influence of bark pH on the occurrence and distribution of tree canopy Myxomycetes species. Mycologia 100:191–204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Everhart SE, Ely JS, Keller HW (2009) Evaluation of a tree canopy epiphytes and bark characteristics associated with the presence of Corticolous Myxomycetes. Botany 87:509–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fröde R, Hinze C, Josten I, Schmidt B, Steffian B, Steglich W (1994) Isolation and synthesis of 3,4-bis(indol-3-yl)pyrrole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid derivatives from the slime mold, Lycogala epidendrum. Tetrahedron Lett 35:1689–1690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibino S, Choshi T (2002) Simple indole alkaloids and those with a non-rearranged Monoterpenoid unit. Nat Prod Rep 19:148–180

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyosa T, Yamamoto Y, Uehara Y, Hoyashi M, Komiyama K, Ishibashi M (2005) New cytotoxic bis indole alkaloids with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity from a Myxomycetes, Lycogala epidendrum. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 15:2776–2780

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Indira PU (1968a) Some slime molds from Southern India VIII. J Indian Bot Soc 47:155–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Indira PU (1968b) Some slime molds from Southern India IX-distribution, habitat and variation. J Indian Bot Soc 47:330–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Indira PU (1975) Some slime molds from southern India XI. Kavaka 3:41–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishibashi M (2009) Study of myxomycetes as a source bioactive natural products. Chem Pharma Bull (Tokyo) 57(8):894–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadam P (2010) Study of biodiversity of myxomycetes from Badlapur and Allied Area. M. Sc. Thesis. University of Mumbai

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadam P, Vaidya S (2011) Biodiversity of slime molds from Badlapur River and Barvi Dam. In: Proceedings of National Conference on “Forests for the Future of Man” held at Rathnam College, Bhandup, Mumbai on 16–17 Sept 2011, pp 268–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadam P, Vaidya S (2015) Taxonomy of Plasmodial Myxomycetes. Proceedings of National Conference on “New and Emerging Trends in Bioinformatics and Taxonomy” Held at B. N. Bandodkar College, Thane, Mumbai.14–15 Jan 2015

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller HW, Everhart SE (2010) Importance of Myxomycetes in biological research and teaching. Fungi 3(1):13–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller HW, Kilgore CM, Everhart SE, Carmack GJ, Crabtree CD, Scarborough AR (2008) Myxomycete plasmodia and fruiting bodies: unusual occurrences and user friendly study techniques. Fungi 1(1):24–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilgore CM, Keller HW, Ely JS (2009) Aerial reproductive structures on vascular plants as a microhabitat for Myxomycetes. Mycologia 101:303–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lakhanpal TN, Mukherji KG (1981) Taxonomy of the Indian myxomycetes. A. R. Gantner- Verlag. K. G., Vaduz

    Google Scholar 

  • Ljubimova JYM, Fujita NM, Khazenzon BS, Lee S, Wachmann-Hogiu S, Farkas DL, Black KL, Holler E (2008) Nanoconjugate based on polymalic acid for tumor targeting. Chem Biol Interact 171:195–203

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez A, Garcia H, Herrador JL (1982) Nuevos Registros de Hongos Cosmetibles de la Region del Cofre de Porte, Estado de Veracruz. (Abstract). P.30. in Primer Congresso National de Mycologia. Sociedad Mexicana de Mycologia, Xalapa

    Google Scholar 

  • Macabago SAB, dela Cruz TEE (2014) Preservation and extracellular enzyme production of myxomycetes from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. Philipp Sci Lett 7(2):331–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Manoharachary C, Rajithasri AB (2015) Interesting slime molds from Telangana State, India. J Indian Bot Soc 94(3 and 4):286–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Manoharachary C, Kunwar IK, Tilak KVBR (2012) Some myxomycetes from Andhra Pradesh, India. J Indian Bot Soc 9(4):427–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Manoharachay C, Nagaraju D (2016) Myxomycetes: the forgotten fungi-like living organisms from India. Kavaka 47:35–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra RL (1980) Myxomycetes and soil fungi of Maharashtra. Ph. D. Thesis. Pune University, Pune-411007

    Google Scholar 

  • Misono Y, Ishikawa Y, Yamamoto Y, Hayashi MDL, Komiyama K, Ishibashi M (2009) Dihydrolindbladiones, three new naphthaquinone pigments from a myxomycetes Lindbladia tubulina. Chem Pharm Bull 57(8):894–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohalid N, Hanzah AS, Shaameri Z (2015) Chemical exploration of 4-Hydroxybenzylated-3-Gantian Acid Tetramik. Malas J Anal Sci 19(2):359–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Moitra M, Nishi A (1993) Purification and partial characterization of β-galactosidase from plasmodial membrane and culture medium of Physarum polycephalum. J Gen Microbiol 139:1635–1641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morita M, Nishi A (1991) Glycoproteins and enzymes associated with the plasmodial membrane and slime layer of Physarum polycephalum. J Gen Appl Microbiol 37:93–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murase M, Watanabe K, Yoshida T, Topinga S (2000) A new concise synthesis of arcyriacyanin A and its unique inhibitory activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Chem Pharm Bull 48:81–84

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagaki T, Yamada H, Toh A (2000) Intelligence: maze solving by an amoeboid organism. Nature 407:470

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakatani S, Kamata K, Sato M, Onuki H, Hirota H, Matsumoto J, Ishibashi M (2005) Melleumin A, a novel peptide lactone isolated from the cultured myxomycetes, Physarum melleum. Tetrahedron Lett 46:267–271

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olive LS (1975) The mycetozoans. Academic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Racoczy L (1998) Plasmodial pigmentation of the acellular slime mold, Physarum polycephalum in relation to the irradiation period. Pol J Environ Stud 7(6):337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranade VD, Korade ST, Jagtap AV, Randive KR (2012) Checklist of myxomycetes from India. Mycosphere 3:358–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell WJ, Collins RP, Santilli J (1989) Fuligo, a myxomycetes, an allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol 83:266

    Google Scholar 

  • Shintani A, Yamazaki H, Yamamoto Y, Ahmed F, Ishibashi M (2003) Cribarione C, a naphthaquinone pigment from myxomycete Cribaria meylanii. J Nat Proc 66(7):999–1001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shroeder HR, Mallette MF (1973) Isolation and purification of antibiotic material from Physarum gyrosum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 4(2):160–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steglich W (1989) Slime molds (Myxomycetes) as a source of new biochemically active metabolites. Pure Appl Chem 61:281–288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson SL, Stempen H (2000) Myxomycets: a handbook of slime molds. Timber Press, Portland

    Google Scholar 

  • Stijve T, Andrey D (1999) Accumulation of various metals by Fuligo septica (L) Wiggers and by some other slime molds (Myxomycetes). Aust Mycoogist 18(2):23–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Tairbekov MG, Belina SI, Lairand DB, Budnitzky AA, Lendev VV (1984) Plasmodium of myxomycetes as the object of the investigation in gravitation biology. Iswestiya Akademii Nauk USSR Seriya. Biologitscheskaya 2:198–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RL, Mallette MF (1976) Growth of Physarum gyrosum on agar plates and in liquid culture. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 10(4):613–617

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thind KS (1977) The myxomycetes of India. I. C. A. R, New Dehli

    Google Scholar 

  • Villareal L (1983) Algunas Especies de Myxomycetes no Registradas del Estado Veracruz. Boletin de la Sociedad Mexicana de Mycologia 18:153–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhulidov DA, Robarts RD, Zhulidov AV, Zhulidova OV, Markelov DA, Rusanov VA, Headley JV (2002) Zinc accumulation by the slime mold Fuligo septica (L) Wiggers in the former soviet union and North Korea. J Environ Qual 31:1038–1042

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Smt. C.H.M. College, Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, India

    Anubha Pathak & Sharda Vaidya

Authors
  1. Anubha Pathak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sharda Vaidya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Praveen Gehlot

  2. School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India

    Joginder Singh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Pathak, A., Vaidya, S. (2018). Slime Moulds: The Tiny Charmers. In: Gehlot, P., Singh, J. (eds) Fungi and their Role in Sustainable Development: Current Perspectives. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0393-7_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation