Group A
Description
Major morphological characters of protostelids and protostelid-like ameboid protoctists.
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 Group I: A1, sporocarp of Planoprotostelium
aurantium, spore not deciduous; A2, mastigote cell of P.
aurantium; A3, ameba typical of all members of Group I;
A4, prespore cell (top view) typical of Group I; A5, sporocarp of
Protostelium nocturnum, spore forcibly released; A6, sporocarp of
Protostelim mycophaga spore deciduous; A7, sporocarp of
Protostelium pyriformis, stalk inserted in deciduous spore; A8,
Acanthamoeba-like microcyst of P. pyriformis.
Keys to the genera of protostelids based on:
Sporocarp Morphology or Trophic Cell Morphology