Write a short note on Slime Moulds.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ Slime moulds are saprophytic protists.
$\rightarrow$ The body moves along decaying twigs and leaves,engulfing organic material.
$\rightarrow$ Under suitable conditions,they form an aggregation called $Plasmodium$ which may grow and spread over several feet.
$\rightarrow$ During unfavourable conditions,the $Plasmodium$ differentiates and forms fruiting bodies bearing spores at their tips.
$\rightarrow$ The spores possess true walls.
$\rightarrow$ They are extremely resistant and survive for many years even under adverse conditions.
$\rightarrow$ Body organization: The body of slime moulds is covered with mucilage having a gelatinous consistency; they do not have chlorophyll.
$\rightarrow$ They are surrounded by a plasma membrane. However,the spores have cellulosic cell walls.
$\rightarrow$ Special features: Anton De Bary related them to animals and called them $Mycetozoa$.
$\rightarrow$ These are also named as 'fungus animals' because they share common characters of both animals and fungi due to their protistian nature.
$\rightarrow$ They are like protozoa in their amoeboid plasmodial stage and similar to true fungi in spore formation. Acellular slime moulds ($Plasmodial$ slime moulds) are commonly found on dead and decaying plant matter.
$\rightarrow$ The cellular slime moulds occur in all humus-containing upper layers of damp soil.
$\rightarrow$ When the food supply is short or conditions are not favourable,the amoeboid cells form an aggregate without any fusion.
$\rightarrow$ This aggregated mass is called $pseudoplasmodium$.
$\rightarrow$ Examples of cellular slime moulds are $Dictyostelium$ and $Polysphondylium$.
$\rightarrow$ Economic importance: Slime moulds are beneficial as they cause the decomposition of organic matter in the soil.
$\rightarrow$ Examples: $Physarum$,$Stemonitis$,$Comatricha$,$Trichia$.