Round 3 - "Danger on the Horizon"The supply of microbes is on the edge of outright nothingness, some species have responded by seeking new food sources or new locations. Those who have not adapted appropriately loom on the edge of extinction, with a mass die off in the future almost guaranteed. Plaenur gracilis is the most numerous, and thus successful, species of the present moment, able to adjust its buoyancy and move above the silt banks in a relatively controlled fashion. Following behind it are the Jinklii'ad who have the most advanced movement mechanisms, only suffering with their inability to stay afloat unlike the Plaenur. In a different vein, Quantia inchordus is the first species to have developed the ability and means to consume non-microbial food. These three species are the minute titans of this age.
Chaos warningIn two rounds, a natural event will occur inside the ecosystem.
Atrox Notochord = 3
Muscles = 6
Species: Plaenur gracilis
Conservation: Near Threatened
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes
Size: .5mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : Plaenur gracilis has evolved a notochord, a cartilaginous predecessor to the spine. While not extraordinarily useful by itself, the species also developed relatively advanced muscles for the time. Some of these muscles have calcified near the notochord which give the muscle an area on which to flex and the electrical impulses to do so. This has finally allowed the widened sides of the creature to be flexed, combined with the new muscles which can contract and expand the swim bladder this species is able to adjust its height above the sandbanks. Unfortunately this species has no way to determine light level, so only those which do not stray too high and die in the light manage to survive. This species has become the most numerous at the present moment due to its relatively advanced form of movement and its wider access to what limited microbic food remains.
Previous Mutations : Wider Mouth, Wider Sides, Mouth Adjustment, Swim Bladder
BiologicalSomething Nervous System = 4
Improved Photosensitive Clusters = 2
Species: Jiklinii'ad (Jiklinii adistercos)
Conservation: Vulnerable
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes
Size: .5mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : The Jiklinii'ad have developed a notochord, which has connected the muscles of the species, allowing the creature to flex its body to a minor degree and improve its movement. With the repaired muscle and nervous network this creature is able to control its fins, making it the most motion competent species of the period. The photosensitive clusters of this species have developed a lens, which are too opaque and weakens the ability to observe light levels.
Previous Mutations : Chlorophyll, Photosensitive Clusters. Muscles, fins.
QuantumCrab of '18 Improved Stomach = 4
Proto-Teeth = 3
Species: Quantia inchordus
Conservation: Vulnerable
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes, Moss.
Size: .7mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : Quantia inchordus is the first species to advance its diet beyond unicellular organisms. Calcified lumps have developed inside of the creature's mouth, giving it a surface with which to leverage moss off of the rocks imbeded in the sandbank. While not able to take bites, this small ability to gain food elsewhere is crucial to survival now.
Previous Mutations : Muscles, Photosensitive Clusters. Camouflage, Enlarge.
StealthStyleL Repair Notochord = 3
Improved Digestion = 3
Species: Grynyx (Grynyx paulis)
Conservation: Endangered
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes
Size: .5mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : The surviving members of Grynyx paulis were those who gradually thinned down the cartilage thickness surrounding their notochord, this reverts their motor function to the levels of their previous generations. While not entirely connected now, the previously developed paddles have a small cluster of nerves at the base which allow limited spasms to assist the species' crawling movement. Additionally, like the Quantia inchordus, this species has advanced its stomach's capabilities to break down consumed materials to the point of multicellular digestion unfortunately this species does not have any way to eat food other than the dwindling supplies of microbes.
Previous Mutations : Muscles, Photosensitive Clusters. Notochord, Paddles.
mirrormonkey2 Chloroplast = 1
Chloroplast double up = 6 (Counted as a 3 from roll average)
Species: Phyla (Phyla tandes)
Conservation: Endangered
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes
Size: .5mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : Phyla tandes has, in an extraordinary mutation, developed primitive chloroplasts which concentrate and utilize its green pigment to use sun light and its environment to create food. However, the light level in the deep ocean silt banks where this creature is stuck, due to its ineffective swim-bladder, is not consistent enough to make this a primary energy source. Additionally this species still depends on microbes for more meaningful aquisition of materials with which to develop, and since the supply is dwindling while these creatures have no other way to consume matter prospects for the future seem grim.
Previous Mutations : Chlorophyll, Swim-bladder.
ostrich Notochord = 4
Primitive Fins = 1
Species: Struthio vermis
Conservation: Endangered
Habitat: Deep ocean sand banks
Role: Bottom Feeder
Diet: Microbes
Size: .6mm (length)
Reproduction Method: Asexual – when circumstances allow the organism will split in two
General : A species which branched off of Quantia inchordus before they developed camouflage has now developed enough of a population to be considered a proper species and not a fluke. Struthio vermis has developed a notochord, properly attaching itself to the muscles of its ancestors. This allows for a greater and more controlled amount of flexing its body to maneuver through the sand, however protrusions on the side of the body have developed. These protofins are not connected to the muscular system or the creature's nerves in any meaninful way, and often they become wedged into the ground impeding movement.
Previous Mutations : Muscles, Photosensitive Clusters.