Hemitrichia calyculata
The photo shows fruiting bodies of the slime mould Hemitrichia calyculata at different points of maturity. When conditions become unfavorable, slime moulds form sporangia (fruiting bodies), clusters of spores, often on the tips of stalks. There is about a day in between each photo. The least mature fruiting bodies are on the left and the most mature ones on the right. At maturity the membrane that encases the spores splits open to release the spores, a process called dehiscence. The many threads or wild hair you can see in the right photo are part of the capillitium, filamentous structures that usually develop with spores within sporangia. They are thought to aid the retention of spores in the sporangia. The microscopic structure of the capillitium is not only complex and beautiful but also helps identification. By retaining spores the capillitium will allow gradual dispersal of spores over a longer period of time.
Hemitrichia calyculata
The photo shows fruiting bodies of the slime mould Hemitrichia calyculata at different points of maturity. When conditions become unfavorable, slime moulds form sporangia (fruiting bodies), clusters of spores, often on the tips of stalks. There is about a day in between each photo. The least mature fruiting bodies are on the left and the most mature ones on the right. At maturity the membrane that encases the spores splits open to release the spores, a process called dehiscence. The many threads or wild hair you can see in the right photo are part of the capillitium, filamentous structures that usually develop with spores within sporangia. They are thought to aid the retention of spores in the sporangia. The microscopic structure of the capillitium is not only complex and beautiful but also helps identification. By retaining spores the capillitium will allow gradual dispersal of spores over a longer period of time.