Soil Microdragon

Soil Microdragon
Creator	HorrortheTerror
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Soil Microdragon, Hatched Microdragon
Zones	J
Roles	Base-Consumer
Classification
Genus	Pyrrhocytos
Species	Pyrrhocytos chomos
Evolution
Date	August 6th, 2020
Ancestor	Vampiric Microdragon
Descendants	Winged Microdragon

Dimensions: 50μm(length), 15μm(height)

Pyrrhocytos mykatovorrum, driven away by high ferric oxide concentrations, was able to disperse into the developing substrate of zone J when water levels rose from seasonal rainfall. It adapted to its new niche as a soil microbe, leading to Pyrrhocytos chomos.

P. chomos now feeds on Nanocalvus zephyrum and Extremosuperstes acidogenii, experiencing a height increase to accommodate the latter. It has retained its chemoreceptive organelles, though they've been modified to detect greater concentrations of hydrogen ions, and the 3 bunch bunches of cilia that it uses in motility. It still reproduces through mitosis.

P. chomos gets its one of its common names from the cyst that it forms when under unfavorable conditions, particularly xeric. Encystation evolved to protect against seasonal dry spells: metabolic and reproductive rates were lowered to reduce usage of water and other resources; then the deposition of polymers around the cell developed to prevent desiccation during dormancy. These cysts superficially resemble eggs and excystation can be described as "hatching".