Bruhlios

The Bruhlios split off from their ancestors, becoming more active and predatory and hunting other microbial organisms. The Bruhlios developed an extended proboscis that is quite mobile to help them with sensing the environment. Most species also possess organelles that are specialized for detecting the differences between light and dark, helping them with detecting movement and respond accordingly. If the proboscis rubs up against detritus or another microbe, the cilia that line their bodies will latch onto the meal and bring it closer to their oral grove to then be enveloped and digested. The cilia that line their bodies also help the Bruhlios with moving around in the water column, since they are still strictly aquatic. While the genus group is most abundant within the oceans, they are also present in brackish and freshwater habitats all over Sagan 4 and have thousands of species. Species that are specialized to living within freshwater habitats possess contractile vacuoles to expel excess water.

For the most part, Bruhlios reproduce through binary fission, splitting into two identical clones of the parent. On certain occasions, however, Bruhlios will partially fuse together and exchange genetic material via swapping micronuclei before separating. This in turn promotes genetic diversity, which is particularly helpful for Bruhlios when they experience great environmental stress and they need to adapt quickly.