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Comatricha alta compared with Comatricha tenerrima

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Protozoa (protozoa)	Protozoa (protozoa)
Phylum same	Mycetozoa	Mycetozoa
Class same	Myxomycetes (Myxomycetes)	Myxomycetes (Myxomycetes)
Order same	Stemonitidales	Stemonitidales
Family same	Stemonitidaceae	Stemonitidaceae
Genus same	Comatricha	Comatricha
Species	Comatricha alta	Comatricha tenerrima

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Comatricha.

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Brazil).

<em>Comatricha alta</em> is a myxomycete, or plasmodial slime mold, belonging to the order Stemonitidales within the class Myxomycetes. Like all members of the genus <em>Comatricha</em>, it occupies a unique position in the tree of life, exhibiting characteristics that were historically associated with both fungi and protozoa but are now classified within the supergroup Amoebozoa. The species produces fruiting bodies consisting of delicate, thread-like capillitial networks enclosed within a peridium, and forms spores that are dispersed by air currents. <em>C. alta</em> has been documented from Europe, where it occurs on decaying woody substrates such as rotting logs, fallen bark, and dead plant matter in forested and shaded environments. It thrives in moist, humid conditions that support the feeding plasmodial stage, during which it engulfs bacteria, fungal spores, and organic particles. No quantitative biological traits data are available for this species.

<em>Comatricha tenerrima</em> is a myxomycete belonging to the genus <em>Comatricha</em>, class Myxomycetes, order Stemonitidales. The species epithet tenerrima, meaning very delicate, likely refers to the particularly fine structure of its capillitium or sporangial walls. Like other members of the genus, <em>C. tenerrima</em> inhabits moist, decaying substrates such as rotting wood and leaf litter in forest environments, where the plasmodial feeding stage actively moves across surfaces to consume bacteria, yeasts, and organic particles. The transition to the reproductive stage results in the formation of stalked sporangia releasing spores for aerial dispersal. No geographic range information is provided in the current record. The species does not possess conventional biological traits such as body size or mass, and no quantitative data are available. <em>C. tenerrima</em> has not been assessed on the IUCN Red List.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden