Foliumnympheus foliumicroeus
A microscopic photosynthetic Sukopod that lives planktonically in the oceans of Oefsy. Reaching sizes of 150-210μm. They have two major body segments: a cephalothorax containing the head and fin-like appendages and a three-segmented abdomen with a pair of appendages at the end.
The fin-like appendages contain photosynthetic pigments and can be moved up and down to direct the organism. The appendages have two segments, the first being a short segment that stretches much of the cephalothorax and the second appendages which form as the four distinct fin-like parts. The head has a pair of light sensitive organs and a pair of chemosensitive antennae. They are positively phototactic and use the light sensitive organs to detect light and guide the direction of movement. The appendages also act as a surface for gas exchange and will take in oxygen and carbon dioxide from the environment.
The abdominal appendages have a basal segment that serves as an attachment point for three filamentous sensory organs. The appendages serve two purposes: they act as rudders to help steer when F. foliumicroeus does swim and they detect water movements.
As a Sukopod they have a chitinous exoskeleton that they molt to grow. The exoskeleton splits at the base of the cephalothorax on the dorsum of the organism where it will pull its body out.
They reproduce asexual by parthenogenesis. The eggs are released into the water with a small yolk to feed the developing young until it is able to photosynthesize with its appendages. A mature F. foliumnympheus can produce 2 eggs a day. As they develop they will have paired segmented appendages around the mouth that are lost after a few molts. The mouth, digestive tract, and oral appendages are vestigial.
