Eumycetozoea

Microscopic animal forms, frequently known as slime animals, that consist of an irregular semifluid mass of multinucleated ameboid protoplasm; although grouped as a class of the superclass Rhizopoda (subphylum Sarcodina), some of the mycetozoan forms closely resemble certain species of pseudomycetes and are sometimes classified as members of the Myxomycetes, the slime molds. SEE ALSO: Proteomyxidia. [eu- + G. mykes (myket-), fungus, + zoon, animal]