Slime Moulds were called fungus animals by

Options

A. Mac Bride
B. De Bary
C. Micheli
D. Alexopoulos.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Slime Moulds**: Slime moulds are a type of protist that exhibit characteristics similar to both fungi and animals. They belong to the kingdom Protista.

2. **Historical Context**: The term "fungus animals" was first introduced by a scientist named D. Barry in the year 1864. This classification was based on the observation of certain characteristics of slime moulds.

3. **Characteristics of Slime Moulds**:
- Slime moulds are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their food by consuming organic matter, similar to fungi.
- They produce haploid spores, which can germinate to form a diploid zygote, a process that is also observed in fungi.
- The sporangium in slime moulds is responsible for the production of these haploid spores.

4. **Evaluating Other Options**:
- The other options provided (Ernest William McBride, Pure Antennaeo Mishlake, and Alexopolis) are incorrect in this context. They may have contributed to the study of fungi or slime moulds, but they did not coin the term "fungus animals."

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that slime moulds were called fungus animals by D. Barry.

**Final Answer**: D. Barry

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