Chainswarmers

Chainswarmers split from their ancestor and developed their colonial nature further. Instead of forming balls with a tight center, individuals which get stuck together form incredibly long hollow worm-like chains. The chains are generally curled into tight spirals, especially in species which form very large colonies, but can stretch out into a line to be broken up for dispersal or to swim or crawl away from predators. Like their ancestor, they perform photosynthesis and fix nitrogen.

Chainswarmers live anywhere where there is water and sunlight. They generally float at or near the surface, their colonies forming important macro-level phytoplankton for filter feeders in the sunlight zone. They also live in freshwater environments. When they are taken out of water, such as at low tide or after a flood, the Chainswarmer colonies will coordinate to slither back to the water so that they do not dry out—a behavior which immediately distinguishes them from the sessile Terran algae they otherwise resemble. They will also uncurl to swim away from predators, though they are not always successful. Their colonies have hollow centers, which are typically filled with water serving as a hydrostatic skeleton for the colony.

Chainswarmer individuals have developed the ability to bud. They do so in a similar manner to their distant ancestor the Mancerxia Florapod, except that the budded offspring immediately join the colony if they are in one. This allows colonies to grow quickly rather than having to depend on finding more Chainswarmer individuals to incorporate. Colonies can also “bud” through the development of a branch in the chain, which eventually breaks off. Chainswarmer individuals retain the ability to spawn, releasing gametes from their mouths into the surrounding water. Unlike their ancestor, Chainswarmers do not form colonies with different species.

There are many species of Chainswarmer. In general, polar species tend to be darker in color to cope with the cold and dim lighting. They can exist in freshwater habitats and can serve as the base for many ecosystems.