title: Semimorula liquescens is a modified echinostelid myxomycete (Mycetozoa).
abstract: The enigmatic Semimorula liquescens E.F. Haskins, McGuin. & C.S. Berry has been isolated repeatedly from dried infructescences of Lythrum salicaria collected from Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. Detailed developmental, morphological and ultrastructural studies suggested that it represents a taxon within Mycetozoa, closely allied with Myxogastria (Myxomycetes) but with unique characteristics. Phylogeny based on two genes places it with confidence in family Echinosteliidae. This species differs from a typical Echinostelium in the way spores germinate and in the lack of a stalked sporophore, the latter being a secondary loss. Semimorula liquescens therefore might be a useful negative model to search for genes inducing stalk formation during sporulation.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom. afiore-donno6@infomaniak.ch
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fiore-Donno
authors.forename: Edward F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Haskins
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pawlowski
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cavalier-Smith
mesh_terms: D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009235:Myxomycetes / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D014861:Washington
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D020648:Peptide Elongation Factor 1