The Environmental & Plant Biology Colloquium Series presents Dr. Steven L. Stephenson on “Global Biodiversity of Myxomycetes” on Friday, March 18, at 11:50 a.m. in Porter Hall 104.
Dr. Steven L. Stephenson
Stephenson is a research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas.
Abstract: The myxomycetes (also called slime molds) are a relatively homogenous group of approximately 950 species of amoeboid protists. For most of their life cycle, myxomycetes exist as true microorganisms, but their reproductive, spore-bearing structures (fruiting bodies) are macroscopic. Some of these fruiting bodies are miniature objects of considerable beauty. Myxomycetes inhabit every terrestrial habitat examined to date, where they are found in association with decaying plant material. Members of the group are especially abundant in soil. The objective of this seminar is to provide an overview of the taxonomy, ecology, and global distribution of these fascinating organisms.
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