Gigantocytus thiccensis

Gigantocytus thiccensis
Creator	HorrortheTerror
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	4
Roles	Base-Consumer, Decomposer
Classification
Genus	Gigantocytus
Species	Gigantocytus thiccensis
Evolution
Date	June 20th, 2019
Ancestor	Gigantocytus armamentus
Descendants	Gigantocytus altumhabitous

• Hyphae network: 1.7mm
  
• Zoospore: 50μm

Gigantocytus thiccensis is a descendant of Gigantocytus armamentus that lives near the shores of zone p. The waters around zone p are rich in phytoplanktons due to the leaching of nutrients from the island and coastal upwelling. One member had incurred a mutation that caused their cell walls to be covered in a protein that binds to polysaccharides such as chitin and cellulose. Phytoplanktonic species, such as F. foliumicroeus and L. cytosol, whose cell walls and exoskeleton are made out of chitin/cellulose were caught in their hyphae and “digested” in a similar manner to how G. armamentus caught drifting particulate matter. The descendants of this individual specialize in feeding on plankton and became G. thiccensis

The hyphae of G. thiccensis is covered in said protein that binds to polysaccharides. When the cell of L. cytosol or exoskeleton of F. foliumicroeus comes in contact with this protein, it sticks to the hyphae, and the synaplot starts releasing enzymes to lyse them and absorb its content.
Nonreproductive zoospores are also used in the capture of plankton. They will swim near the main body looking for plankton. The zoospore also have proteins on their cell walls and will “bump” into their “prey.” The zoospore attached to a plankton will release chemical cues that causes other zoospores to travel to and attach themselves onto the ensnared plankton. Once enough zoospores have attached themselves to said prey, they will swim toward the main body until it is stuck on the hyphae were it is absorbed.

G. thiccensis still commits saprophagy, however, this a supplementary source of food for them now. They reproduce the same way as their ancestor.