class grouping contains orders families genera species colloquially known species pass different phases microscopic individual cells organisms visible naked eye shaped fruit bodies reach immense weights extreme cases metre weigh kilograms class distributed worldwide common temperate regions higher biodiversity polar regions tropics mainly found open forests extreme regions snow blankets underwater occur bark trees high canopy known species small taxonomy classification nomenclature latin comes ancient greek words means means fungus introduced describe family introduced swedish mycologist described numerous species class colloquially known consider separate kingdom unsettled phylogeny conflicting molecular developmental data relations orders unclear range continuous classification new taxa reveals class fully described class comprises species according inquiry officially accepted taxa including species level study stated number comprised biggest group species basis environmental samples estimated group species previously estimated taxa species common discovered single location species found areas times common locations discoveries encounter problems plastic susceptible environmental influences characteristics small number species past authors unsuccessfully tried describe new taxon based small number examples leads numerous genus level example actually species genus classification phylogeny following classification based classes divisions described sister taxon formed taxon differ species mainly development fruit bodies create separate fruit body single cell develop cell complexes called pseudo separate cells fruit bodies order family family family order family family order family order family family order family family family traditional classification based early 20th century molecular studies confirm classification basal group groups contain spore colour characteristics life cycle phase spores spores mainly round measure rarely diameter surface generally sharp rarely smooth typical colour spore mass visible structure spores species especially genus spores produce colour shape diameter spores important characteristics identifying species important factors spores mainly moisture temperature spores usually remain years spores preserved specimens years spores development receive nucleus takes place spore spore shells open alongside special pores rip irregularly release species reproduce sexually cells spores depending environmental conditions spore like crawling substrate produced dry conditions swim develop moist wet environments generally shorter help food particles closer humidity changes cells switch form cell wall developmental stage serves provider known phase phase phase consume bacteria fungus spores probably dissolved substances reproduce simple cell division environmental conditions change adversely phase example extreme temperature extreme food shortage switch long lived thin shelled states called happen assume round shape thin cell wall state easily survive year longer living conditions improve active cells type meet phase cross fusion conditions trigger known multiple nuclear divisions cell division resulting cells change shape fusion form production cells different mating types required second phase begins development organism nutrients possible bacteria dissolved substances higher fungi small particles organic material enables cell undergo enormous growth nucleus divides multiple times cell soon visible naked eye usually surface area depending species square metre artificially cultivated cell attained surface area species numerous phase small non large million remain single cell consistency transparent white brightly coloured orange yellow pink cell negative capabilities phase meaning able nutrients away dangerous substances light movements originate streams direction cell way cell reaches speed second speed plant cells second resting state called occur phase hardened resistant form composed numerous enable survive adverse conditions example winter dry periods phase fruit bodies mature produce fruit bodies appropriate circumstances exact process unknown according laboratory researchers changes humidity temperature value starvation periods thought species abandon nutrient intake crawl attracted light positive dry light area optimal spread spores begins stopped disturbances occur spore bearing fruit bodies produced parts fruit bodies smaller millimetre extreme cases square metre weigh kilograms shape non cellular stems appear shaped seemingly shaped pseudo fruit bodies edge produced spores stored structure called found nearly species species genus open fruit bodies dried spores dispersed wind small animals beetles pick spores contact fruit bodies dispersal running water possible plays minor role forms species produce continuously spores production proceeds cells distribution ecology distribution distributed worldwide species found early researchers continents parts world discovered explored exact distribution fully known europe north_america considered basic habitat species according recent research majority species widely distributed commonly found temperate latitudes rarely polar regions tropics physical features substrate climatic conditions major aspects species presence rare northern areas species found alaska iceland northern scandinavia greenland russia particular specialised species according overview study species found arctic regions iceland greenland northern russia alaska distinctly exceed tree line greenland habitat reach latitude line species reach largest biodiversity highest frequency forests temperate regions ideal habitats rich organic material suitable humidity high long lasting snow cover snow inhabiting species species found tropics mainly high humidity prevents necessary fruit bodies permit spore dispersal promotes factors low light levels forest canopy reduces light winds poor soils natural enemies heavy rainfall wash away destroy cells species living soil decrease humidity increases study costa_rica total findings relatively dry moist species found species regions specimens arctic regions lack access factor records individual finds according studies flora regions species discovered forests example species del high ground habitats majority species live open forests important bark living trees rotting plant material soil animal found numerous unusual locations comprehensive group closed snow blankets quickly exposure example release spores habitats species found desert example living leaves plants tropics species live aquatic environments genera found living underwater species water left relationship creatures relationships creatures thoroughly researched natural predators include including especially beetles beetles round fungus beetles bark beetles false click beetles minute brown beetles observed predators attach posterior portion live strands certain species evolved way representatives species especially frequently found especially true fungi species sac fungi common fungus mainly species album found found certain species associates mainly family discovered combination bacteria atmospheric nitrogen produce possible cases acquired salt tolerance tolerance heavy metals association fossil records fossil records extremely rare short lifespan fragile structures fruit body similar processes possible spores known examples living states preserved amber fruit bodies spores described older taxa considered dubious today disregarded described million year old find baltic amber extant species state fruit bodies remarkable enabling accurate determination period location material described species similar today discoveries imply fruit bodies changed slightly million years baltic amber described considered questionable fossil inconsistent typical characteristics genus valid publication latin identified important details fruit bodies visible contradicted identification today assumed fossil belongs similar genus known discovery preserved found amber dominican_republic grouped claim considered doubtful publication later classified insufficient lack evidence known fossils spore findings assumed period absorbing spores fossil recognised history research nature long time researched named mould fungus book und thought fungi different agreed theory documented stage years later observed spores discovered cell movement saw animal like creatures reclassified literally translates fungus animals theory dominated second half 20th century pupil published extensive group published groundbreaking works book thomas important works late 20th century monograph notable modern era taxonomy began notable researchers martin discovered classified species
Myxogastria