Two more Myxomycetes for ID

[Nettle Runner]

Sherwood Forest (Birklands) 8 June 2008
Found growing on fallen Oak tree branches







The first specimen was 8mm across

The second was 10mm cross by 10mm high

Amazing how a small brownish blob can be so intricate at close quarters

Your comments and observations welcomed
Les

[fairplay]

Really fascinating, the first photo is almost eerie, you can imagine intruding upon a microscopic group of ghostly figures performing a sort of dance ritual.

I say with a bit of cleaning up, you should put the photo on You Tube whatever.

Neil.

[CapAndBracket]

From my meagre knowledge i would think the second is a Stemonitis.sp.

S.axifera would be a good contender from your measurements.
from (Stephenson and Stempen) 7-15 mm tall, Stalk black, shining, 3 to 7 mm.

Cheers J.P.

[CapAndBracket]

I may have captured a photo of your first species, if so it is Arcyria.sp.
probably A.cinerea, they start of white and end up dark brown, need mature specimen for microscope to be sure.

Cheers J.P.

[Nettle Runner]

Thanks JP for the suggestion. Better than what I could come up with.

The ones I found tended to form the little huddles, as in my pic. There were several of these groups, but none scattered as in your pic.

Would that be characteristic of the sp.?

I forgot to mention that in my description

Les

[CapAndBracket]

From Stephenson+Stempen, sporangia, scattered, gregarious or sometimes united by their fused stalks. So i gess quite variable.

Cheers J.P.

[Nettle Runner]

Found another of the Arcyria.sp (possible) this time in Anston Stones Wood 15 June 2008. Had to experiment to get a decent image.



The do make a beautiful subject

Les

[CapAndBracket]

Really nice image, you have captured their rather magical qualities, i can see i will have to purchase (and learn to use) one of those quality camera's sometime, but not yet, i will continue trying to find some at the plasmodial stage for now. i keep thinking i'm going to lift a piece of bark one day and there it will be.

Cheers J.P.

[Nettle Runner]

Another Myxmyocetes found in Anston Stones Wood 14 June 2008



I could see from about 20 mts away, a red stain on a fallen tree trunk. It was half a metre in length and caused by a large group of these Myxmyocetes.

No idea on sp. though

Les

[NickCantle]

Blimey Les, you're getting a cracking display of Myxos this spring