Mycoid

Mycoids are miniscule decomposers who feed on virtually any organic material that has died and drifted to the ocean floor. While they can still photosynthesize, mycoids gain very little to none of their food this way. [Creature design by Dapper Dino]

Basic Information

Anatomy

The anatomy of mycoids is radically reduced from their phytozoan ancestors. The tendrils are reduced to just two, set on opposite ends of the body. There are no eye spots, and other then some simple annular muscles and a thin layer of photosynthetic cells most of the organism is just an open sack of fluid that diffuses oxygen and nutrients around. The only major innovation is several thousand cilia which conduct external digestion of dead matter, the results of which are then taken into the organism via diffusion. This may not be as efficient as internal digestion, but the enzymes and acids used by mycoids are well adapted to rapidly breaking down dead tissue.

Genetics and Reproduction

Mycoids reproduce by fission, when they reach about 6 mm in total length a cleft will develop in the middle of their body, eventually this will split into two ~3 mm organisms who will then go on their way growing. Their ancestors are hypothesized to have still mated, but at this point even their gonads have atrophied to non-existence.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Mycoids are a major decomposer, and also help seed the substrate with valuable nutrients like nitrates and phosphates.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

These organisms can be found anywhere other organisms die, and so have a virtually world wide distribution in the oceans of ancient Almaishah.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Cecilia

Genetic Descendants

• Chemomykoidia
• Filter Worm
• Xenomykorrhizan

Scientific Name

Mycozoan elegens

Origin/Ancestry

Phytozoa

Average Length

4.5 mm

Geographic Distribution

• Almaishah