Elaeomyxa | |
---|---|
Elaeomyxa cerifera – photo by Peta McDonald | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Phylum: | Amoebozoa |
Class: | Myxogastria |
Order: | Physarales |
Family: | Lamprodermataceae |
Genus: | Elaeomyxa Hagelst., 1942 |
Elaeomyxa is a genus of slime molds in the family Lamprodermataceae.[1] As of May 2022[update], there are four known species in the genus.[1] Species in this genus have been documented in North America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia.[1]
The Elaeomyxa genus belongs to the true slime mold phylum Mycetozoa (also known as Myxomycetes) of fungus-like organisms that have at different times been classified in the protist, animal, and fungi kingdoms.[2][3] Like other true slime molds, Elaeomyxa species have distinct life cycle phases.[3] During the trophic (feeding or ingesting) stage,[a] called the plasmodium, the slime mold ingests food in an amoeba-like manner.[3] The slime mold then transitions to the reproductive phase, in which fruiting bodies produce spores for reproduction.[3]
The Elaeomyxa genus contains the following species: