Hitchhiker Gildling

The hitchhiker gildling split from its ancestor, the gildling, and has moved north to Razo Volcanic, where it "discovered" the orbit voltflora. They now live in the microclimates formed by the massive flora, the voltfora's weight causing water to collect in pools by its side, as well as giving off large amounts of heat. However, the large spaces in-between the flora meant inefficient reproduction for the gildlings. They have changed their lifestyle to compensate for this. When a spore lands, it will shift its cell shape so that small "arms" will penetrate between pores in the soil or flora. If it senses enough sunlight, it will begin to grow its long leaves, which stretch outward. If they come in contact with itself or another hitchhiker gildling cell, the cell membranes will join. If not, however, it will begin to swell and form a new cell. The upper leaves generally double back, increasing the photosynthesizing space. The gildling, therefore, forms a large colony of cells that share nutrients amongst each other. When the winds are strong enough, some gildling will detach their tentacles, and their hold on the soil, and float away as spores, starting the cycle again. Occasionally a spore will not detect enough light, usually meaning that it has landed inside the tunnel of the voltflora, and even occasionally the rocket-seed. Instead of growing leaves, it will increase its shell's thickness. This allows them to follow the voltflora, even spreading it to the other volcanic biomes it inhabits, with its thick shell allowing it to stay inactive even in space for long periods of time.