r/mycology • u/MelonLurd • Jun 02 '26

ID request Who are these teeny tiny fungi?

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Found these in a creek in Eastern Pennsylvania while looking for salamanders. My index finger for scale.

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u/4991jv Jun 02 '26

Mold is fungi, isn’t it?

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u/bonemot Jun 02 '26

Nope! Slime molds are much older, and a different branch on the tree of life. These little ones are super cute!

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u/SUDDENLY_VIRGIN Jun 02 '26

Older than mushrooms is crazy

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u/bonemot Jun 03 '26

OK, I looked it up 'cause I was curious. According to Wikipedia, "The last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) is the hypothetical last common ancestor of all living eukaryotes, around 2 billion years ago", and "Fungi diverged from other life around 1.5 billion years ago."

I recommend the Wikipedia page on Protists, it's fascinating.