Group B
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 II: B1, sporocarp of Ceratiomyxella
tahtiensis or Nematostelium gracile, deciduous spore with ringlike hilum;
B2, detail of stalk apophysis typical of Group II; B3, caly mastigote
of C. tahitiensis; B4, scaly ameba of C. tahitiensis;
B5, plasmodium typical of Group II; B6, beaded appearance of
mitotic plasmodium typical of Group II; B7, prespore cell formation typical of
Group II; B8, sporocarp of Nematostelium ovatum, deciduous ovate
spore with basal hilum; B9, sporocarp of Schizoplasmodium
cavostelioides, bubblelike structure may be present at spore-stalk junction;
B10, discharged spore and empty stalk of S. cavostelioides as often
seen on culture and substrate incubation plates.
Keys to the genera of protostelids based on:
Sporocarp Morphology or Trophic Cell Morphology