Photomimicus plackavalaris

Photomimicus plackavalaris
Creator	HorrortheTerror
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	25, 29
Roles	Decomposer
Classification
Genus	Photomimicus
Species	Photomimicus plackavalaris
Evolution
Date	April 14th, 2019
Ancestor	Unknown
Descendants	No results

Photomimicus plackavalaris is a bioluminescent palaean that attaches themselves to the exoskeleton of Lumicauda testucanus to feed on particulate matter and other dead organic matter. A colony will attach themselves on an L. testucanus using a protein that bonds to both their cell walls and the host’s exoskeleton. While L. testucanus is moving, the colony will be able to catch particulate matter using the microvilli on one end of their cell which they will then phagocytize. They will only leave the colony if another L. testucanus is present or if there is an area with greater amounts of particulate matter/detritus. To do this, they release an enzyme that breaks the protein bonds between them and their host; once free, they will use their flagella to swim toward their desired destination.

The reaction generating light involves the chemical and enzyme: luciferin and luciferase. The reaction involving luciferase catalyzing the oxidation of luciferin, with oxygen acting as the electron acceptor. The light emitted by this reaction helps them attract L. testucanus.

The cell is composed of a flagella one end of their cell with the other being covered in microvilli; the inside of the cell is composed of a nucleus, ribosomes, several vacuoles, and lysosomes. The cell has a length of 5-7micronmeters in total.

They reproduce via mitosis once every hour.