The basillimat replaced the marine basilliphyta. They are much more adapted to the marine environment. They form thin biofilms on oceanic rocks. The marine basilliphyta split from its ancestor and moved into the ocean. Like their ancestor, they prevent themselves from becoming hypertonic by using their thick cell walls. The cells on the outside are the oldest ones, which act as filters. When they die they release toxins that keep prospective predators away. If a section of the mass starts dying, they are separated from the rest of the mass before they kill the whole thing.
Living Relatives (click to show/hide)
These are randomly selected, and organized from lowest to highest shared taxon. (This may correspond to similarity more than actual relation)
