Hexalgeara purpura

Hexalgeara purpura
Creator	Artemis is gone for a while
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	2
Roles	Producer
Classification
Genus	Hexalgeara
Species	Hexalgeara purpura
Evolution
Date	December 29th, 2018
Ancestor	Algeara redensis
Descendants	Hexalgeara rosea

A descendent of A. redensis, this chemosynthetic purple algae's translucent, hexagonal cells grow in tight spirals on hydrothermal vents in zone 24. It absorbs carbon and heat from the vent's plumes, converting it into energy through chemosynthesis. Reproduction happens via cell division, lengthening the spiral colonies, which can cover a plume in groups of around 100. Each spiral can reach up to 14 cm high, given enough time. Generally, though, when a vent becomes overcrowded, a piece of the spiral will split off to spread and become a new colony. Any potential predators will find that other compounds, absorbed along with carbon from the vents, will make A. purpura quite the ordeal to feed on without adaptations.