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Heterotrichia versicolor

Heterotrichia versicolor, formerly Arcyria versicolor, is a nivicolous (snowmelt) slime mold found in high elevation forests during spring and summer. Though this species is quite common, its beautiful golden fruiting bodies are always a delight to find.


Heterotrichia versicolor, cluster of slime mold fruiting bodies that have begun to dehisce (open) to release spores. Focus-stacked composite of 788 exposures at 7.5x lifesize. Luther Pass, Sierra Nevada, El Dorado County, California, USA.
SLI0126


Heterotrichia versicolor, extreme close-up of a single fruiting body whose peridium (outer skin) has peeled open. Inside, we can see a complex network of capillitial fibers and spores. Focus-stacked composite of 419 exposures at 20x lifesize. Luther Pass, Sierra Nevada, El Dorado County, California, USA.
SLI0127


Heterotrichia versicolor, extreme close-up of one fruiting body. Note how the texture of the peridium differs at the top. This delicate portion is the first to open to release spores. Focus-stacked composite of 470 exposures at 20x lifesize. Luther Pass, Sierra Nevada, El Dorado County, California, USA.
SLI0128


Heterotrichia versicolor slime mold fruiting bodies. Note that the peridia, or outer casings, have begun to open. Focus-stacked composite of 164 exposures at ~4x lifesize. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Placer County, California, USA.
SLI0057


Heterotrichia versicolor, extreme close-up of a single slime mold fruiting body. The peridium has opened, revealing spores and a chaotic entanglement of capillitial threads. Focus-stacked composite of 140 exposures at 10x lifesize using a microscope objective. Tahoe National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Placer County, California, USA.
SLI0058


Heterotrichia versicolor (the gold fruiting bodies in the front) and a Comatricha species (the black fruiting bodies in the back). It is not uncommon to find multiple slime mold species fruiting together in close proximity. Focus-stacked composite of 44 exposures. Carson Pass, Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Alpine County, California, USA.
SLI0008


Heterotrichia versicolor fruiting bodies dangling from a lichen-covered conifer stump. Focus-stacked composite of 21 exposures. Carson Pass, Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, Alpine County, California, USA.
SLI0002

Next slime mold: Lamproderma scintillans



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All pictures copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.