Are slime moulds really creepy? No way! A bit like a cross between animals and fungi these tiny organisms do indeed creep, but on closer inspection they are both fascinating and frequently beautiful. But be warned, they are not easy to find, for they are tiny and tend to live in the damp and dark world of the forest. ‘Where the slime creeps’ by Sarah Lloyd explores this often-unseen world and reveals the most unusual life-form that is the slime mould.
If you are new to slime moulds, then this book is a very good introduction to their lifestyles, biology and habitat. There are plenty of photos that illustrate their intriguing beauty and variety in exquisite detail. Sometimes with bright colours and occasional iridescence, or sometimes of more sombre forest hues, these miniscule structures and unusual shapes are revealed in their ‘other worldly’ wonder.
If you already know about slime moulds, this book provides a wealth of details of the many species to be found in the ‘hotspot’ that is Sarah’s back yard. The high-quality images are a very useful aid to identification. The life cycle descriptions, habitat notes, interactions with invertebrates, species checklists and glossary make this a ‘must have’ reference for any Australian naturalist.
Those familiar with the first edition will be pleased to find that in the second edition, the number of species has increased by 34 to 107. The photos have been updated and enhanced with photo-stacking techniques and are some of the best that I have seen. The book is highly recommended.
‘Where the slime mould creeps’ Second Edition, by Sarah Lloyd, Tympanocryptis Press, 2018. Review by Paul George
‘Where the slime mould creeps’ is available now in Fungimap’s shop. See here.