True Bistage Trisphourus

True bistage trisphourus has replaced its ancestor, and, true to its name, has very distinct stages where the “colony” stage is no longer an actual colony, as the cells are unable to survive on their own in this stage. Like its ancestor, it has a free swimming stage as well, and both stages are consumers, eating any cells that are small enough to do so. Due to the smaller size of the first (free swimming) stage, it can only eat smaller prey and is often preyed upon by larger creatures while the second (multicellular) stage is able to break apart larger cells with the multitude of cell tendrils that it uses to feed. The first stage simply engulfs prey that it swims into, while the second stage will consume small cells or parts of larger ones with its tendrils that wrap around food and engulf it, then reform as the food is moved up to the main body.

The multicellular version of true bistage trisphourus forms when a individual of the first stage consumes a significant amount of food, which it then uses to undergo numerous divisions at the waters surface. Forming together side-by-side, the biflagellated free swimming form fuses the two flagella together to form a tendril. Often smaller second stages consisting of only a few dozen cells or less will come together in order to form larger colonies and for genetic exchange. The cells exchange nutrients and genetic material with each other, and due to a hormone produced by the multicellular version, cells in the center will be stimulated to grow longer tendrils, while cells on the edge will have shorter ones. In order to protect from the elements and prevent the top side from drying out, the second stage cells of true bistage trisphourus will pinch off portions of membrane above them, which then dies and dries out, forming a shell to cover the top.

The two stages of true bistage trisphourus now follow a set cycle, the first stage cannot reproduce, and only grows larger as it consumes food. The cells within the second stage, on the other hand, cannot revert back to the first stage, and will die if separated from the main body. Thus, in order to reproduce, the second stage will stop growing upon reaching a certain size, and instead form numerous hard-coated spores along its edges. These spores are released and remain dormant for a few days (allowing them to travel to a new location) before “hatching” and releasing two or three small first stage cells.