Selmzi Parasite

The Selmzi has been dubbed a worm, slug, amoeboid, and less professionally 'slime', etc. Ultimately, it is a dangerous parasite natural to Kyberus, and has shown ability to become an invasive species if its not handled fast. Left untreated, it will devour animals from their insides, and reproduces asexually by splitting. The Selmzi has a vastly sturdy membrane that can survive in some extreme conditions, including heat, cold (but struggles to move), most liquids, and some physical trauma. As such its sometimes proven hard to kill, and is even among one of the few things a Ryclin cannot ingest. It drinks up nutrient liquids, or emits a toxin that softens the tissue and allows it to be consumed. Often for bigger prey they actually grow across the organ they eat, but keep it slightly in tact so the animal still functions and eats to send more its way. Once finished with the prey, it will swell against the organ and convert the remainder into membrane, often rendering its prey to actually take on some texture of the Selmzi where some critters actually look more like blobs before dying of a spreading infestation. However in some cases they adapt an odd organ, and using this method actually clogs up an animal's natural paths, and causes other problems that kill it first. In a luckier rare instances, it might even pass through the whole body with little harm done. During an infestation, the prey is likely starved of its nutrients, or has similar difficulties related to the effected region.
They start tiny, quickly growing as it feeds. It will often need to grow to the size of a pig before splitting into multiples of up to three, but can grow far bigger to divide more. Alpha Selmzi is the name given to those that actually retain some size and (suspected) intelligence after a split, and can grow to be big while producing smaller Selmzi. Its believed to be a potential mutation, and not that common.

As A Threat

For their reputation and lack of positive use, the Selmzi is one of the most infamous creatures of the natural Kyberus ecosystem. They are among the few natural threats to Ryclin, and among the others already faced by other life forms sharing the planet. Research to stop an infestation inside a host has been an interest for many, but the best form is in modified plant toxins either ingested by pill, or (especially in late infections:) an injection to aim for the direct parasite.
Humans and some similar outsiders have some of the least contact with Selmzi, and often only play victim to being a Selmzi's first host by having one get into their ears through outside water, or similar methods. However humans and others may suffer by a proxy as well, having issues with livestock, or damage to fragile ecosystem areas. However the most effected sentient life is the ryclin, who play a role in virtually being the most beneficial natural host. Effected ryclin often can grow with a parasite to record lengths of fostering a swarm, and fear an infection immensely. In rare cases the stricken hunger conditions also drive the ryclin to act more agitated and hostile to its peers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They most often resemble a slug in shape, but can often be translucent, even invisible to poor eyes. Often no bigger than a finger at the start, they can grow to be larger than a person before choosing to divide. After feeding or a fresh split, Selmzi might take on some pigmentation of its last prey, but will sometimes lose this over time or new sustenance. Older Alpha selmzi may stay quite large once its attained the size.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Some bio-weapon terrorists may locate and contain a selmzi. Within confinement, they are given a small space with air, and water, even fitting into as much as a tiny dart tube with a little water, and can live for many days. Livestock may be introduced to 'renew' and generate more, and in more malicious cases, an infested one could be sold to a farm, or fed directly into a ryclin.

Lifespan

4 Years (if it does't split)