Glass Sprouts
Scintillatis hyalos produced Hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water, as a side effect of its electrogenesis. This attracted Polyphagii azotogens, as it uses Hydrogen gas in Nitrogen fixation and methanogenesis, and S. hyalos was benefitted by a consistent source of nitrogen. Scintillatis vitriga (Glass Sprouts) is a descendant of S. hyalos that specializes in facilitating this relationship.
The most notable adaptation in S. vitriga are clusters of thin, leaf-like nodes, 5-10 millimeters tall, that support colonies of P. azotogens. These nodes are composed of a dense cortex of mycelia, protecting a cavity of less dense mycelial networks that contain P. azotogens. The nodes sprout above the substrate to maximize exposure to mechanical disturbances, and by extension, production of piezoelectricity and Hydrogen gas.
To facilitate H2 gas production, a new enzyme has developed which catalyzes the electrolysis reaction when triggered by an electrical current. The enzyme is membrane-integrated and densely occurs near the electricity storing organelles. H2 gas produced is discharged into the cavity and consumed by P. azotogens while Oxygen gas is respired and the cortex reduces diffusion of ambient Oxygen to protect sensitive anaerobic processes like Nitrogen fixation. Meanwhile, the methane produced by P. azotogens is absorbed by S, vitriga before it’s released into the environment.
The cells of the node and P. azotogens receive sustenance from decomposed organics which diffuse into cavity or through the mycelia. The symbionts can exchange nutrients, interactions between both organisms are controlled by hormones and other chemical signals.
Both organisms can also derive energy from kinetotrophy: P. azotogens can technially use the energy from piezoelectricity by metabolizing Hydrogen in methanogenesis, and share it with S. vitriga. However this is process is incredibly inefficient and cannot be considered a significant source of sustenance. (It’s cool tho, hence the mention)
Nodes form in areas where mycelia experience nitrogen deficits. Zoospore lattices will cluster
around P. azotogens cells to initiate node growth. They then differentiate into the cortex and cavity before growing upward.
Outside of this, S. vitriga consists of lattices of zoospores that decomposes ambient organic matter. They also retain electroreceptors and the ability to communicate with other other grids. P. azotogens can also interact with S. vitriga outside of the node, exchanging nutrient and energy, and aggregating different types of enzymes to more efficiently breakdown organic matter.
Reproduction involves both asexual fragmentation and sexual reproduction: 2 grids respond to each other's electrical signal and grow towards each other, exchange genetic material through conjugation, and form a comb of zoospores that breaks off to form new colonies.
