sorocarp

A sorocarp is a reproductive structure produced by certain slime molds and social amoebae that bears spores. In many myxomycetes (slime molds) and related groups, a sorocarp consists of a stalk supporting a sporangial head, sometimes enclosed by a protective wall. The term emphasizes the organized fruiting body on which spores develop and are eventually released, in contrast to a simple plasmodium or ungamete stage.

Structure and development: Sorocarps arise when a plasmodium or aggregating cells differentiate in response to environmental cues such as nutrient depletion. A stalk and a sporangial portion form, with specialized tissue constructing the sporangium where meiosis yields haploid spores. When mature, the sporangial wall dries or ruptures, releasing spores for dispersal.

Function and ecology: The sorocarp elevates spores to aid wind dispersal and long-distance spread, helping the organism survive unfavorable conditions. Formation is typically rapid and transient, closely tied to moisture, temperature, and nutrient availability in the habitat.

Taxonomy and usage: In slime molds, sorocarp is the common term for the fruiting body bearing spores; in older or broader texts it can be used interchangeably with sporocarp, though sporocarp more ordinarily refers to fruiting bodies in true fungi. Sorocarps occur in several groups, including Dictyostelia and various Myxomycetes, where they represent key stages in the life cycle and dispersal strategy.