Attempting to identify what the pin-mould-like protrusions are on this this slime mould, my father did a Google image search and came across a stock image [1] with the title “Blistum byssiseda, parasite on host slime mold called Cribraria argillacea”.

Upon further investigation, I found that this is actually a mash-up of two names for the same fungus called Stilbella byssiseda, previously named Blistum orbiculare.

S. byssiseda is a fungus that parasitises slime moulds, including Cribraria argillacea and Lindbladia tubulina [2].

The host of my specimen was Cribraria argillacea [3].

REFERENCES

[1] — https://www.alamy.com/a-fungus-called-blistum-byssiseda-parasite-on-host-slime-mold-called-cribraria-argillacea-image454401682.html

[2] — https://www.bioinfo.org.uk/html/Stilbella_byssiseda.htm

[3] — https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/382035-Cribraria-argillacea/browse_photos