Complex Life Cycle

Description

Stages not drawn to scale because morphology, not size, is important. Modified from: F.W. Spiegel "Phylum Plasmodial Slime Molds Class Protostelida" in Handbook of Protoctista. Complex life cycle of Ceratiomyxella tahitiensis: A, sporocarp; B, germinating protoplast; C, all but one of the nuclei degenerating in protoplast, or portion of plasmodium, which is converting into zoocyst; D-F, three nuclear divisions in zoocyst; G- H, eight or fewer mastigote cells cleaving and germinating from zoocyst; I-J, amebomastigote stage; K, plasmodium; M, plasmodium cleaving into prespore cells; N, rising sporogen.

Keys to the genera of protostelids based on:

Sporocarp Morphology or Trophic Cell Morphology