RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Slime Mould Plasmodia

3rd – 5th February 2025

Near The Outpost, on a promising sectioned trunk that was populated by a number of slime moulds — we noticed that it also had widespread curry-yellow plasmodia, which we suspect is the plasmodial stage of Badhamia utricularis. The trunk had B. utricularis sporangia and, significantly, what we believe to be the crust fungus Phlebia radiata, which B. utricularis is known to consume [1].

Phlebia radiata on the trunk in the photo below.

Further along the trunk a veiny plasmodium which we saw on the 3rd.

In the close up below the slime mould has a somewhat plasmodiocarp form. The white translucent growth is – I believe – Phlebia radiata.

The following day the plasmodium had grown further into the Phlebia radiata assuming a more phaneroplasmodial form.

On the 4th we spotted another plasmodium.

Close up of the plasmodium.

The next day – the 5th – it had moved to the left

Also on the 4th, at one end of the trunk some plasmodial veins.

The next day it has spread extensively (the photo above is more or less centre in the photo below).

Centre of the plasmodium above.

To the left.

And to the right.

Also, down the circumference of the trunk at this end.

References:

[1] Bruce Ing – Tansley Review No. 62, The phytosociology of myxomycetes, New Phytologist – Page 187