The author of this book has spent much of his life collecting and studying slime molds, a fascinating but understudied group of fungus-like organisms. His efforts have taken him to all seven continents and to examples of every major type of terrestrial ecosystem. The book is a chronicle of a lifelong journey that began when the author was a graduate student in a mycology class at Virginia Tech, where he was first introduced to slime molds, and continued on to an academic career that allowed him to become one of the world's leading authorities on these organisms. Along the way, the author has visited many interesting places and has interacted with most of the internationally known experts on slime molds. He the author or coauthor of 12 books and more than 470 book chapters, general interest articles and papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Animal, plant, fungus—just what kind of living thing is a slime mold? How do these slimy blobs move from place to place? And how do slime molds help clean up rotting leaves and other dead stuff in backyards and forests? In this brand-new title, learn the answers to these questions and more—and prepare to get slimed! This new Science Slam! title will introduce readers to the secret, oozy world of slime molds. The book is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce children to bizarre and interesting facts. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will hold readers’ interests with a viselike grip. And, best of all, the activities are gooey and fun!

The art works are the outcomes of scientific experiments that aimed to design computing devices made from slime mould. Slime mould Physarum polycephalum is a single-cell organism visible by the unaided eye. The slime mould computes by optimising its shape, electrical activity or location in response to stimulations. This fascinating mix of art and science offers an awe-inspiring look at the ways in which slime mould explores its environment and performs computation. Art works allow us to see the world through the "eyes" of the slime mould and show that the absence of a brain does not exclude an amorphous living creature from intelligence.

Myxomycetes: Biology, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology, Second Edition provides a complete collection of general and technical information on myxomycetes microorganisms. Its broad scope takes an integrated approach, considering a number of important aspects surrounding their genetics and molecular phylogeny. The book treats myxomycetes as a distinct group from fungi and includes molecular information that discusses systematics and evolutionary pathways. Written and developed by an international team of specialists, this second edition contains updated information on all aspects of myxomycetes. It incorporates relevant and new material on current barcoding developments, plasmodial network experimentation, and non-STEM disciplinary assimilation of myxomycete information. This book is a unique and authoritative resource for researchers in organismal biology and ecology disciplines, as well as students and academics in biology, ecology, microbiology, and similar subject areas. Written in a simple, concise and relatively non-technical style, allowing for a broad readership within biological, environmental and life science programs at academic and research institutions Contains the comprehensive body of information available on myxomycetes under one cover, with contributions from the leading authorities in their respective areas of expertise Provides straightforward, compiled information about myxomycetes and the potential of this group for basic and applied research Offers completely updated material in every chapter, including new material on barcoding and Physarum polycephalum biological factors

This book identifies all the species one is likely to encounter, with extensive information on their structural features, distribution, and ecological associations. Superbly illustrated, including keys, it is an introduction to their biology as well as a field guide. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.

Cognitive Science provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the study of the mind. The authors examine the mind from the perspective of different fields, including philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, networks, evolution, emotional and social cognition, linguistics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the new framework of embodied cognition. Each chapter focuses on a particular disciplinary approach and explores methodologies, theories, and empirical findings. Substantially updated with new and expanded content, the Fourth Edition reflects the latest research in this rapidly evolving field.