Vesiplanktoid

Descended from the Noplanktoids, a small species of planktonic plent from which this has split, the Vesiplanktoids continue on their ancestors' rich legacy of floating about in the water column while ever at the mercy of the ocean currents. It is a simple lifestyle, though one that has proven successful for this lineage, which has been further bolstered by an evolutionary change to hermaphroditism - for such poor swimmers, no longer would excess energy need to be wasted when it came to finding a mate when any other individual will suffice in regards to their spawning needs. Unlike most Microswarmers, the Vesiplanktoids are fairly unique for possessing a primitive jaw of sorts, rather than the typical gaping maw for sucking in nutrients and water found in their kin. It is nothing too complex, though, being little more than a simple flap-like structure with little strength behind it. When it swings upon, it creates a very slight current that is more than capable of pulling in bits of detritus and other nutrients, as well as other, tinier organisms such as their own smaller planktonic kin like Whip Swarmers, Swarmerkings, and lone Chainswarmers. This change in diet compared to that of the ancestor helps to supplement their photosynthesis, which in turn helps to fuel a faster growth rate as well as their reproductive capabilities. The most prominent feature of this species, the air vesicle-like structures found within their upper pair of tentacles, are still very much present within this species. Much akin to the pneumatocyst of certain seaweeds native to Earth, like them these structures contain buoyant gases such as CO, O2 & N2. This specialized pair of tentacles have, over countless generations, slowly migrated in position towards the top of the body, a location where they are more effective without disrupting this species' balance. However, that is not all that has changed. Not only have these structures become larger, the Vesiplanktoids are now capable of venting them of excess gas should they need to lower themselves in the water column. This process is relatively quick, and can be identified by the presence of small gas bubbles forming and dissipating upon the surface of these tentacles. Afterwards, when they need to, the various life processes of this species - such as photosynthesis - aid them in restoring the gas balance within these vesicles. Such a lifestyle has meant that the side fins of their ancestors - which were already greatly diminished even in them - are now externally nonexistent, having been fully absorbed into their bodies. Some internal support still exist, though, and as such on the very rare occasion a mutant is born that retains their fins, though they are fairly functionless. Just as in the Noplanktoids, despite their apparent vulnerability as they drift about, the Vesiplanktoids retain a potent, hidden defense to ward off predators. Potent toxins build up within the bodies of these planktonic plents, ones that induce terrible blistering and burning lesions upon contact with exposed flesh. The toxins mostly accumulate within the tentacles, and bear a passing resemblance to those utilized by various seaweeds of Earth, in this case lyngbyatoxin A and debromoaplysiatoxins. Selective planktivores tend to quite quickly learn to avoid preying on Vesiplanktoids after one or two painful "learning experiences", though significantly larger, more generalized planktivores are largely unaffected as the doses of toxin required to cause significant gastrointestinal pain within them would require thousands of individual Vesiplanktoids to be consumed. Of course, should conditions be right and nutrients plentiful, a plent bloom can occur... and then even the titans of the deep can succumb. Such events are rare, though, and tend to be localized and thus easily avoided.