Mudferra

Mudferra split from their ancestor and became semi-aquatic, filling out the iron cycle in the various wetland and beach habitats. They can also live in especially wet terrestrial environments, such as rainforests. They have developed sexual reproduction using waterborne spores, which emerge from their exposed stalks. Their waterborne spores have allowed them to spread globally to all landmasses with sufficient iron. Like their ancestor, they redox iron in the area, which allows higher iron fauna and flora to move in. Also similar to their ancestor, some form symbiotic relationships with rustmolds, providing nutrients in exchange for minerals. They thrive in wet substrate, but they are also known to break up coastal rocks to access the iron inside. Unlike their ancestor, which reproduces only by fragmentation, Mudferra can also bud using runners. When fragmented, all fragments containing a connection ball can regrow into new individuals. The connectors between the connector balls now have root-like fuzz which assists in water and iron collection. There are many species of Mudferra. Being distantly derived from tundra-dwellers, they are highly resilient and easily able to withstand ice in polar habitats. They can be found in riparian, estuary, and beach biomes of all temperature types, as well as in the muddy temperate and tropical rainforests. Species are difficult to distinguish, as they vary little externally apart from size and location.