For students, faculty, personnel from federal and state agencies, museums, environmental organizations and consulting firms
Slime Molds: Miniature Marvels of Nature August 7 - 13 Instructor: Steven Stephenson Location: Eagle Hill Institute, Steuben, Me The slime molds (or myxomycetes, as they are known to biologists) are a group of fungus-like organisms usually present and sometimes abundant in terrestrial ecosystems. The fruiting bodies produced by slime molds are somewhat suggestive of those produced by certain fungi, although they are usually considerably smaller (often no more than 1-2 mm tall). Because of their size, most slime molds tend to be rather inconspicuous in nature, but they are not difficult to find if one knows when, where, and how to look for them. Slime molds do not have a particularly attractive name, but many examples produce fruiting bodies that are miniature objects of considerable beauty. The purpose of this seminar is to provide the basic information needed to collect, study, and develop an understanding of the biology, taxonomy, ecology, and global distribution of these fascinating organisms. Dr. Steve Stephenson ([email protected]) is a research professor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He received his Ph.D. in 1977 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. His research interests center on the distribution and ecology of slime molds, and he has collected and studied these organisms on all seven continents and in very major type of terrestrial ecosystem. He is the author or coauthor of seven books and more than 350 book chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals. His books include “Myxomycetes: a Handbook of Slime Molds” (Timber Press), “Myxomycetes of New Zealand” (Fungal Diversity Press) and “The Kingdom Fungi: The Biology of Mushrooms, Molds, and Lichens” (Timber Press). For general information, go to http://eaglehill.us/programs/nhs/natural-history-seminars.shtml For course calendar and course descriptions, go to http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/nhs/nhs-calendar.shtml For application information and cost breakdown, go to http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/general/application-info.shtml For more information, contact [email protected], 207-546-2821 x 1
