Neither plants, nor animals, nor fungi, the myxomycetes are a surprisingly diverse and fascinating group of organisms. They spend the majority of their life out of sight as single-celled amoeboid individuals in leaf litter, soil or decaying wood, foraging for bacteria and other simple life forms. However, when conditions are right, two individual cells come together to give rise to a much larger, creeping structure called a plasmodium, which produces the even more complex and often beautiful fruiting bodies. Indeed, the fruiting bodies of myxomycetes are often miniature works of art! Their small size (usually only a few millimetres tall) and fleeting fruiting phase mean that these organisms, although ubiquitous and sometimes abundant, are overlooked by most people. However, recent research by a few dedicated individuals has shown that Australia has a very diverse myxomycete biota with more than 330 species, the largest number known for any region of the Southern Hemisphere. This comprehensive monograph provides keys, descriptions and information on the known distribution for all of these species in addition to containing introductory material relating to their biology and ecology. Many species are illustrated, showing the diversity of their fruiting bodies, and greatly facilitating their identification. This book will give naturalists a new insight into an often overlooked group of organisms in addition to providing an incentive to search for the many species which have undoubtedly thus far escaped notice.

Animal, plant, fungus—just what kind of living thing is a slime mold? How do these slimy blobs move from place to place? And how do slime molds help clean up rotting leaves and other dead stuff in backyards and forests? In this brand-new title, learn the answers to these questions and more—and prepare to get slimed! This new Science Slam! title will introduce readers to the secret, oozy world of slime molds. The book is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce children to bizarre and interesting facts. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will hold readers’ interests with a viselike grip. And, best of all, the activities are gooey and fun!

In this self-described love letter to slime, naturalist, student and slime mold enthusiast Carrie Niblett provides background information, photographs, diagrams and 22 species descriptions of slime molds that can be found on the UC Santa Cruz campus and in terrestrial ecosystems around the globe. You can find slime molds occupying damp logs and creeping over leaf litter steps away from the classroom but until you picked up this book, these strange and beautiful organisms may have been hidden in plain sight. Let this guide be your companion as you take a peek into the curious world of slime molds.

In this self-described love letter to slime, naturalist, student and slime mold enthusiast Carrie Niblett provides background information, photographs, diagrams and 22 species descriptions of slime molds that can be found on the UC Santa Cruz campus and in terrestrial ecosystems around the globe. You can find slime molds occupying damp logs and creeping over leaf litter steps away from the classroom but until you picked up this book, these strange and beautiful organisms may have been hidden in plain sight. Let this guide be your companion as you take a peek into the curious world of slime molds.

Using hands-on natural science projects, explores and explains different types and characteristics of fungi.

Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times. Certain mushrooms can be used to treat numerous conditions, including those related to cardiovascular health, obesity, cholesterol balance, bone health, diabetes, and cancer. Wild Mushrooms and Health: Diversity, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Benefits, and Cultivation presents reports on numerous species of wild medicinal mushrooms with discussion of drug-discovery implications, analysis of bioactive substances, and prospects for cultivation. FEATURES Comprehensive review of medicinal mushrooms as sources of promising bioactive molecules and prospective compounds for drug discovery Information on diversity, distribution, ethnomycology, ecology, cultivation, descriptions of specific species, and folk medicinal uses of mushrooms throughout the world Emphasis on identification, documentation, bioactive substances, and the nature of mushroom bioactivity Discussion of the nutraceutical properties of wild mushrooms, including high protein content comparable to that of meat, and low fat content, which make them a complete dietary food source Exploration of methods used in the collection, identification, documentation, cultivation, analysis, and conservation of mushrooms for drug discovery An installment in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this volume is a comprehensive resource for medical researchers, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, this resource is appropriate for mycologists and botanists interested in pharmacognosy.