vs

Comatricha alta compared with Comatricha elegans

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 elegans

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 North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (Belgium, Norway, Sweden), North America (United States), 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.

Comatricha elegans is a delicate myxomycete forming slender, stalked, cylindrical sporangia with an intricate internal network of threads (capillitium) that aid spore dispersal. It grows on decaying wood and bark in humid forest environments worldwide. This species belongs to a group of slime moulds notable for their elegant fruiting body architecture and cosmopolitan distribution.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden