Gigantocytus limuexercitus

Gigantocytus limuexercitus
Creator	OviraptorFan
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	4A
Roles	Decomposer
Classification
Genus	Gigantocytus
Species	Gigantocytus limuexercitus
Evolution
Date	June 4th, 2020
Ancestor	Gigantocytus altumhabitous
Descendants	No results

As populations of Gigantocytus altumhabitous grew along the beaches intraspecific competition for space grew. Some populations began to move further inland taking advantage of untouched food sources. With their chitinous cell walls covered in specialized pores they were already adapted for this change. The biggest problems in the terrestrial environment were reproduction and getting moisture; in both particular cases, their hyphae were the answer.

Hyphae network: Variable
Zoospore: 50μm
Originated in Zone 4A/P

The largest change Gigantocytus limuexercitus have from their ancestors is their colonial nature. The species have individuals are connected together by a shared hyphae system. The zoospore do not separate and when one zoospore's hyphae grows long enough some of the outer ones develop a new zoospore that then develops hyphae of their own. In terms of nutrients, G. limuexercitus utilize the same non-reproductive zoospores of their ancestors which are capable of searching for any kind of decaying organic matter that they can break down. In terms of getting moisture, G. limuexercitus rely on their hyphae to absorb any water in the soil. The interconnected network will transport water and nutrients to parts of the colony that have poor nutrient uptake.

This strategy of exchanging nutrients and moisture allows them to grow massive colonies. If conditions become unfavorable or a colony becomes too large to efficiently sustain they will severe their connections using their enzymes to break down the hyphae, becoming a new colony.