myxomycete

9.9

A soft slimy living thing like a fungus that grows in damp places

noun
/mɪkˈsɒməˌsaɪt/

Specialized

: mixomiceto

Many myxomycetes can be found on decaying logs in damp forests.

Examples

Scientists study myxomycetes to better understand their unique life cycles.
One species of myxomycete produced strikingly colorful fruiting bodies in the laboratory.
The myxomycete was found thriving in the damp forest.
Many species of myxomycetes can be observed in wet soil.
Many myxomycetes can be found on decaying logs in damp forests.
Scientists study myxomycetes to better understand their unique life cycles.
One species of myxomycete produced strikingly colorful fruiting bodies in the laboratory.

Synonyms

slime mold

vsmyxomycete

Specialized

2 7.1

A simple living thing that forms a soft moving blob to find food

is the specific class name for such fungus-like organisms

true slime mold

vsmyxomycete

Specialized

9.6

A soft mass of many cells that moves like an amoeba and feeds on decaying plants

is defined as a fungus-like organism found in moist habitats

plasmodial slime mold

vsmyxomycete

Specialized

9.9

A soft organism that becomes one large cell with many nuclei and moves slowly

is described as a fungus-like organism, not focused on life stages

acellular slime mold

vsmyxomycete

Specialized

9.9

One large soft mass of living material that moves and is not divided into separate cells

is named for its fungus-like nature, not its cellular structure

Surface Forms

myxomycete singular

myxomycetes plural

Morphology

myxomycete = myxo + mycete

The components 'myxo' and 'mycete' are not standalone English words and require specialized knowledge to understand the meaning related to slime molds.

Etymology

Myxomycete comes from two old Greek parts, myxo- meaning 'slime' and -mycete meaning 'fungus'. So a myxomycete is literally a 'slime fungus', which explains why slime molds look like slimy growths on damp logs.