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Prototrichia metallica

Prototrichia metallica is a nivicolous (snowmelt) slime mold which occurs at high elevations on conifer wood. The fruiting bodies are generally shiny and brown, with some degree of colorful iridescence. This species is said to be rather stout, having no visible stalk (sessile) or a relatively short one. Some authors treat Prototrichia schroeteri as a synonym, while others say it is a separate species with a typical stalk. However, I have found that when the substrate is wet and these fruiting bodies are fresh, the stalks are almost always visible and not especially short; it is only after the substrate dries out that the stalks shrivel back and seem to disappear. I have observed this time and again, so I cannot help but wonder if the original description of P. metallica was simply based on dry specimens, and P. schroeteri was based on fresh specimens...


Prototrichia metallica [likely], exceptionally iridescent slime mold fruiting body. Focus-stacked composite of 337 exposures at 10x lifesize. Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Alpine County, California, USA.
SLI0104


Prototrichia metallica [likely]. Focus-stacked composite of 120 exposures at 10x lifesize. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Placer County, California, USA.
SLI0054


Prototrichia metallica [likely]. Focus-stacked composite of 348 exposures at 10x lifesize. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Nevada County, California, USA.
SLI0100


Prototrichia metallica [likely], three fruiting bodies exhibiting iridescence. Focus-stacked composite of 65 exposures at 4x lifesize. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Placer County, California, USA.
SLI0055


Prototrichia metallica, typical fruiting body whose peridium has begun to dehisce or crack open to release spores. Focus-stacked composite of 102 exposures at 10x lifesize. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Placer County, California, USA.
SLI0056


Prototrichia metallica, overhead view of multiple fruiting bodies. Focus-stacked composite of 100 exposures. Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Alpine County, California, USA.
SLI0003


Prototrichia metallica, overhead view of multiple fruiting bodies. Focus-stacked composite of 53 exposures. Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Alpine County, California, USA.
SLI0004

Next slime mold: Salmon-eggs (Trichia decipiens)



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All pictures copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.