Steven Paul Wetzel

Butler, PA

United States

Profile Information:

Name
Steven Wetzel
What is your interest in slime moulds? (we need to know you're not a bot or spamster)
I first found out about slime molds when I was culturing termites to feed to my ants. I discovered in the termite terrarium a yellow growth that reminded me of the veins in a leaf. I did some research and found out it was a plasmodial slime mold similar to physarum but was actually badhamia utricularis. My microbiology professor at the time wanted me to put together a presentation for the class on slime molds for extra credit. Since then (2008) I have been gathering information on them and trying to grow them from the wild (gather fallen sticks and put them into a humid terrarium to see what develops).

Comment Wall:

  • Heather Barnett

    Hi Steven, Welcome to slimoco! I'm trying to get some Badhamia utricularis going from sclerota state at the moment, without much luck. They don't seem to like oats in the same way as Physarum. Would be interesting to see/know more about your experiments and observations. Am also interested in the relationships between swarming and agent based behaviours in different organisms. Feel free to share/discuss here... Heather

    Aug 8, 2011

  • Heather Barnett

    Ok, I'll try it with some cardboard and see if it take the bait!

    And yes slimoco is free to join, a portal for all interested in slime moulds...

    The Physarum roseum is exquisite, like blood vessels. Would love to grow some!

    Aug 8, 2011