Protostel

Protostel is a type of sorocarp found in certain myxomycetes, commonly known as slime molds. A sorocarp is the fruiting body of a slime mold, which contains spores. The protostel is characterized by its simple structure. It consists of a stalk and a sorus, which is the spore-containing part. The stalk is typically made of cellular material, while the sorus is an aggregation of spores, often surrounded by a protective layer.

The development of a protostel begins with a mass of amoeboid cells, or plasmodium, which eventually differentiates into the stalk and sorus. The spores within the sorus are released when the sorocarp matures and are then dispersed by wind or water. These spores germinate under favorable conditions to form new amoeboid cells, completing the life cycle.

Protostels are considered a primitive form of sorocarp among myxomycetes. Their simple organization contrasts with more complex sorocarp types found in other slime mold groups, such as aethalia and pseudoplasmodia. The study of protostels provides insights into the evolutionary relationships and developmental processes within the Myxomycetes. They are typically found in moist, shady environments, such as on decaying wood or leaf litter.