Ok, this doesn’t sound as interesting at first as it really is. Dictyostelium discoideum is not really a mould and is only sometimes slimy. In fact its a form of ’social amoeba’.

What is really interesting about it is that normally these amoeba live alone, but when starved of food they work together to form a structure millimetres long that is able to reach towards light. After the structure is formed spores are released in an effort to continue survival.

This process was first discovered in 1947 by John Tyler Bonner. Scientist today are still fascinated by the fact that these brainless creatures can work together to ensure their survival. It is believed that these amoeba secrete chemical signals once they start to starve and this is what cause this seemingly intelligent organisation.

Slime-mould aggregation

There are many creatures on this planet that work together in similar ways such as bees, ants and termites, but I think slime-mould aggregation is a particularly amazing example.