DSC_9845 Bonnet mould (Spinellus fusiger) a cosmopolitan species of pin mould. During the reproductive phase of its life cycle, Spinellus fusiger grows throughout the cap of the mushroom host, eventually breaking through to produce radiating reproductive stalks (sporangiophores) bearing minute, spherical, terminal spore-containing structures called sporangia. Jackson Bay, South Westland *
DSC_2908 'Honeycomb Coral' slime mould (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa) clustered on the underside a dead beech log in Mountain beech forest. While not fungi, slime molds can form spore-bearing structures that resemble those of the true fungi. Slime molds form masses of protoplasm (called plasmodia) without cell walls, which can move about and engulf particles of food in an amoeboid manner. Slime mold plasmodia creep over surfaces engulfing bacteria, spores of fungi and plants, protozoa, and particles of nonliving organic matter. Mavora Lakes *
DSC_6708 Dog Sick slime mould (Mucilago crustacea) white plasmodium. A cosmopolitan species of slime mould found on dead wood throughout New Zealand. Slime mould plasmodia have no cell walls, and creep over surfaces engulfing bacteria, spores of fungi and plants, protozoa, and particles of nonliving organic matter. Boyle River *
