Bottenmask

Name means: Bottom Worm
They possess elongated bodies and flat undersides that house an uncountable number of microscopic hairs called cilia. The cilia rhythmically undulate to make a mucus secreted by the organism flow forward, allowing the Bottenmask to glide along surfaces, much like smaller species of flatworms on Earth. With this method, they can reach a top speed of 15 meters an hour, which is more than enough considering their lack of predators and abundant feed.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Bottenmasks possesses two organs located around their posterior opening. Inside these organs, gametes are produced and stored, making them the reproductive organs or gonads as they shall be referred to. Females (those who release the larger gametes) periodically release their eggs along with an adhesive mucus on the sea floor. This creates a cluster of eggs swaying with the currents. The adhesive slowly degrades and releases its compounds into the nearby waters, which the males are highly receptive to. Once a male gets a whiff of eggs, they will either approach the cluster for reproduction purposes or consumption. If the eggs belong to a different species, it tends to be the latter. Otherwise, the male will most likely release his gametes onto the egg cluster or eat them if he is especially hungry.

Once the eggs are fertilized, they will develop quickly. Within only a couple of days, the zygotes (fertilized eggs) will resemble miniature versions of their parents and swarm the ocean floor with their numbers. Most succumb to either violent currents or larger bottenmasks. If a young bottenmask survives for about 4 weeks, it will reach sexual maturity and be able to continue the cycle.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Cilia around the mouth create a current that directs food particles into the organism. Usually, their diet consists of either detritus (dead organic matter piling on the seabed) or the uppermost layers of the Microbial Mats. When organic matter enters the organism, it encounters a hollow tube running through the entire bottenmask. Along the walls of the tube are more cilia that both create a current to transport waste towards the posterior opening, and catch the valuable particles. When an organic particle is caught, enzymes are released from the tube's walls. The particles are then broken down into small enough chunks to diffuse through the wall. On the other side is an organ that has high concentrations of strong enzymes and beneficial Utankärna that further break down the particles into nutrients. Thereafter, the nutrients are dispersed throughout the organ through diffusion, providing the necessary materials to all cells of the bottenmask. Additionally, the bottenmask also requires oxygen for their metabolism, but their small size allows them to siphon it straight from the waters. Additionally, the oxygen-binding protein hemocyanin is present in their digestive organ, which gives the organism's innerds a greenish-blue color. The proteins store oxygen and release it to keep the metabolism running when the surrounding waters are deprived of it.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Sakätare