Thalamocaulis bubblensis

Thalamocaulis bubblensis
Creator	CheetoLord02
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	C1
Roles	Producer
Classification
Genus	Thalamocaulis
Species	Thalamocaulis bubblensis
Evolution
Date	April 16th, 2019
Ancestor	Vaporemuscus longiceedus
Descendants	Da Vinci’s Waterpolyph

Descended from T. longiceedus in zone 22, this new polyph uses its long stem to filter out air more efficiently. It draws air down the stem, which is now hollow in the middle (like a straw). The air is then stored in cells in the thicker bottom end of the stem. These newly specialized cells act as a filter, removing the co2 from the air and distributing it to the polyph. This helps the polyph gain its co2 much more efficiently, allowing it to grow much faster. The other gasses in the air are released by the polyph through specialized pore cells on the exterior of the stem. The release of this air causes a small vacuum in the stem, and thus as air is released, more air is then drawn in. Generally the released air will cling to the outside of the polyph due to surface tension, and will eventually cause a large bubble to form around the stem. If the bubble gets too large it will be crushed by the water pressure and the air will return to the surface of the water, allowing space for a new bubble to form. The loose vegetative matter below the stem is nearly identical to its ancestor, serving as the main source of photosynthesis in the polyph. Seeds are still formed in pods at the top of the long stem just like its predacessor, however due to the new structural changes in the stem, each polpyh will only grow one stem instead of multiple. The inner diameter of the straw is 2-3mm, and the total diameter is 1cm.