Comatricha
Slate Grey thread beads ( Comatricha nigra)
Comatrichia is a genus of slime molds ( Myxomycetes ) from the order Stemonitida.
Type species is Comatricha nigra.
Features
The fructifications ( Sporokarpe ) are stalked and have spherical, egg -, spindle-shaped or cylindrical spore capsules ( Sporokarpien ). They grow scattered, gregarious or densely grouped. The envelope ( peridium ) disappears early and is not observed in many species. Sometimes remnants of it remain on the stem tip stick. She seldom remains longer on the spore carriers.
The stem is composed of parallel or interwoven fibers. At the base it is formed reticular. Sometimes it is hollow. The continuation of the stem ( columella ) extends at least up to the center, often up to the top of the spore capsules.
The scalp arises from all parts of the columella. It is branched and often formed into an internal network. It has hardly broadened places. At the edge, it is tortuous and has numerous free ends. Sometimes, self-contained grid mesh find.
The spores are brown, reddish brown, dark brown or black in mass. The Plasmodium watery white to milky white, rarely yellowish.
Species
The genus includes about 40 species worldwide. For Central Europe, approximately 20 species are given:
- Comatricha African alpina
- Comatricha alpina
- Comatricha alta
- Comatricha anastomosans
- Comatricha anomala
- Comatricha elegans
- Comatricha harboring
- Comatricha fragilis
- Comatricha fusiform
- Comatricha laxa
- Comatricha longipila
- Comatricha nigra
- Comatricha pulchella
- Comatricha pulchelloides
- Comatricha rigidireta
- Comatricha rubens
- Comatricha rutilipedata
- Comatricha tenerrima