Sporovid family
The sporovid family consists of fungi-like creatures introduced in Pikmin. The family went unclassified until Hey! Pikmin, though the term sporovid was used as the technical name of the Puffstool in the Player's Guide, and these technical names often contained family names. Most members of the species resemble mushrooms, but some are shown to be more parasitic in nature and attach themselves to hosts.
Members belong to the Fungirussus, Aspergilla, or Parasitus genus.
Members
Puffstool
- Main article: Puffstool.
Scientific name: Fungirussus elasticis
The Puffstool is a normally harmless boss in Pikmin and Pikmin 4 that when threatened, is capable of converting the player's Pikmin into Mushroom Pikmin by releasing spores. It has two stubby legs and a large body. Converted Pikmin follow the Puffstool and attack healthy Pikmin and Captain Olimar if they get near. It cannot create Mushroom Pikmin in Pikmin 4, but can confuse Pikmin to prevent them from attacking it.
Puffstalk
- Main article: Puffstalk.
Scientific name: Aspergilla rubedronis
The Puffstalk is a harmless creature found in Hey! Pikmin that comes out of holes. It carries a treasure inside, so it must be defeated to complete the game.
Toxstool
- Main article: Toxstool.
Scientific name: Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis
A Puffstool relative introduced in Pikmin 4 that releases poison instead of panic inducing gas. It can create poisonous mushrooms, spreads patches of sticky mold, and can infect creatures to help spread spores. It can also resurrect slain Moldy Dwarf Bulborbs and Moldy Slooches by exposing their corpses to its spores.
Moldy Dwarf Bulborb
- Main article: Moldy Dwarf Bulborb.
Scientific name: Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis hostus
The Moldy Dwarf Bulborb is a young Bulborb that has been parasitized by Toxstool spores. Throwing Pikmin on its back causes it to release poison gas, requiring the player to either charge it or use White Pikmin against it.
Moldy Slooch
- Main article: Moldy Slooch.
Scientific name: Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis hostus
The Moldy Slooch is a Pyroclastic Slooch that has been parasitized by Toxstool spores. Instead of leaving behind a trail of flames, it produces poison gas, requiring the player to use White Pikmin against it.
Mushroom Pikmin
- Main article: Mushroom Pikmin.
Official family unknown
Similar to the Moldy Slooch and the Moldy Dwarf Bulborb, Mushroom Pikmin are possessed Pikmin created by the spores of a Puffstool. Although they are yet to be confirmed as members of the family, the Japanese website stated that they may no longer count as Pikmin.[1]
Naming
The family name, Sporovid, is a reference to the real-world spores fungi use to reproduce. Aspergilla is derived from Aspergillus, a genus belonging to many species of fungi. Fungirussus is a combination of fungi, and russus, a Latin adjective meaning "red". The genus of the Toxstool, Parasitus refers to its parasitic nature.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
ボケナメコ科? Boke Nameko Ka |
Stupid nameko family | |
 French |
sporovides | ||
 German |
Puffpilz | Puff mushroom | |
 Korean |
멍텅버섯 과 | ||
 Portuguese |
Esporgumelídeos | Sporemushridae | The name is a portmanteau of "esporo" (spore), "cogumelo" (mushroom) and the suffix "-ídeos" (-idae), which is used for naming animal family names |
 Spanish |
Esporóvidos |
Trivia
- The family name Sporovid was first featured in the Nintendo Power Player's Guide guidebook for the original Pikmin game, as was the genus Aspergilla. For unknown reasons, Pikmin 4 ignores the Aspergilla genus, despite it being used in Hey! Pikmin, opting instead for Fungirussus.
