Cyanophytes
Intelligence is a many faceted concept, and there are many types of it around the world varying from the individual sentient humanoid, to the collective hive minds of creatures like the Ougham. The Cyanophytes are a unique type of intelligence that seems to function similarly to a hive mind, but lacks the cognitive higher awareness that would normally be associated with it. A complex mutation of a blue-green algae, these creatures are not one singular organism, but rather an entire community of tiny algal blooms resulting from a form of bacteria that exist in the fresh water systems of Cairne, such as the lakes and the Carrig River . While they remain fairly inert as long as they are receiving enough light to feed upon, in darker location or during dark seasons, they will unify and form distinctly detailed humanoid forms. Using these forms the algal blooms will function as a singular, cognitive unit, luring other creatures into the water. Once there they will use this new form to pull the unsuspecting humanoid under the surface where it will reassume a layer of algae that floats along the top of the water. Utilizing its connection with the rest of the algae and its unique ability to manipulate its form, it will then increase the tensile surface strength of its form, effectively trapping the victim under the surface of the water until they suffocate, poisoning them with a powerful secretion of cyanotoxins and then slowly digesting the body by secreting enzymes around it and drawing nutrients in that way.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Cyanophytes, due to their unique biological makeup as a mutated form of blue-green algae, exhibit a fascinating and complex anatomy and morphology that allow them to switch between passive and active predatory states. In their most basic form, Cyanophytes resemble typical blue-green algae, often seen as a layer of scum or bloom on freshwater surfaces. This form is largely inert and engages in photosynthesis to meet its energy needs.
Under conditions of darkness or when triggered by the need to hunt, Cyanophytes can unify their individual cells to form detailed humanoid shapes. This transformation is both a defensive mechanism and a predatory strategy. The Cyanophytes maintain a blue-green hue, indicative of their cyanobacterial origin, even in their transformed state. This coloring serves as a camouflage in their aquatic environments, particularly in murky or shadowed waters. While appearing solid, their texture remains somewhat gelatinous and pliable, allowing for quick transformations and the ability to engulf or entrap their prey effectively.
Though they form detailed and very human-like eyes, these are purely cosmetic and non-functional. The eyes are part of the mimicry intended to complete the humanoid appearance but do not provide vision. They can replicate other human features quite accurately, especially those of their previous victims, which aids in luring new prey by presenting familiar forms.
In their active state, Cyanophytes can manipulate the tensile strength of the water’s surface, creating a trap that holds their prey just below the surface until they suffocate. They secrete powerful toxins that immobilize and eventually kill their prey. These toxins also aid in the digestion process by breaking down the victim’s body into nutrients that can be absorbed.
Biological Traits
Cyanophytes have a relatively short individual lifecycle, with each bacterial cell capable of living and reproducing within a span of 24 hours under optimal conditions. However, as a collective, the lifespan of a Cyanophyte bloom can extend much longer, continually renewing itself through rapid asexual reproduction.
New colonies or blooms are initially more vulnerable and less efficient in their activities. As they mature, their efficiency in both photosynthesis and predatory behavior improves. Mature colonies have a higher density and a more developed biofilm, providing better structural integrity and enhanced collective behavior. This maturity is crucial for surviving adverse conditions and for more effective hunting.
Over time, environmental stresses, nutrient depletion, or accumulation of waste products can lead to senescence in parts of the colony. This aging process can reduce the overall vitality of the bloom, making it susceptible to diseases and environmental changes.
Genetics and Reproduction
Cyanophytes reproduce primarily through binary fission, a common asexual reproduction method among bacteria. In this process, a single Cyanophyte cell duplicates its genetic material and then divides into two identical cells. This method allows for rapid population growth and can be especially prolific under optimal environmental conditions. The reproduction rate can increase significantly when the Cyanophytes have sufficient nutrients, either from photosynthesis under adequate light conditions or from the organic material of digested prey.
Unlike organisms that have a gestation period, Cyanophytes do not have a delay between conception and birth. The division of cells occurs as soon as the individual parts have grown enough and replicated, which can be as quick as every 30 minutes under ideal conditions. Factors such as nutrient availability, light intensity, and water temperature can influence the rate of cell division. More favorable conditions lead to faster reproduction rates.
As individual Cyanophytes reproduce, they can form large colonies that appear as algal blooms on the surface of water bodies. These blooms are not only visible manifestations of their population growth but also critical for their survival strategy, aiding in photosynthesis and the trapping of prey. In some cases, these organisms can also form biofilms on various substrates, including rocks, plants, and artificial structures. This structure provides additional protection and stability to the colony.
Ecology and Habitats
Cyanophytes thrive in freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, and streams that provide a stable environment with a continuous supply of water and nutrients. These water bodies support their photosynthetic needs and offer various prey species during darker periods or seasons of low light. While they primarily inhabit freshwater, Cyanophytes can also be found in brackish environments where freshwater mixes with saltwater. This versatility allows them to exploit a broader range of habitats and increases their chances of survival and proliferation.
Regions that experience significant changes in light availability across seasons are ideal for Cyanophytes. During sunny periods, they can engage in intense photosynthetic activity, while darker seasons trigger their predatory behavior, allowing them to adapt dynamically to environmental changes.
In their basal state, Cyanophytes perform photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight to produce energy, which is their primary mode of sustenance during light-abundant periods. This process also contributes to oxygen production, playing a minor role in the local aquatic ecosystem’s oxygen dynamics. During periods of low light, such as cloudy days or seasons with shorter daylight hours, Cyanophytes transform into humanoid forms to lure and trap organisms. This transformation is driven by their need for additional nutrients that cannot be met through photosynthesis alone during these periods.
Cyanophytes can rapidly reproduce under favorable conditions, leading to algal blooms. These blooms can cover extensive areas of the water surface, impacting water quality by blocking sunlight and reducing oxygen levels in the water, which can be detrimental to other aquatic life. The presence of Cyanophytes can significantly affect water quality, especially when they die and decompose. Decomposition can deplete oxygen levels and release toxins, potentially leading to hypoxic conditions harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Their ability to sense environmental changes through light and vibration is critical for their survival. This sensory perception influences when they switch between their passive photosynthetic state and active predatory state.
Dietary Needs and Habits
During periods of sufficient sunlight, Cyanophytes primarily rely on photosynthesis for their nutritional needs. They convert sunlight into energy using chlorophyll, similar to other cyanobacteria, producing oxygen as a byproduct. This process allows them to sustain themselves without needing to consume other organisms actively.
In low light conditions or when photosynthetic energy is insufficient to meet their metabolic needs, Cyanophytes switch to a predatory mode. They utilize their unique ability to form humanoid shapes to trap and digest organic matter, primarily targeting other aquatic organisms or unsuspecting animals that approach their habitat. Cyanophytes can transform into humanoid figures to lure prey closer, particularly by mimicking forms that are familiar or intriguing to their targets. Once an animal is within reach, they employ their transformed limbs to pull the prey into the water.
After submerging their prey, Cyanophytes secrete cyanotoxins and digestive enzymes to incapacitate and break down the organic matter. This process allows them to absorb nutrients directly from the decomposing matter. An advanced method they use involves increasing the water's surface tension around their prey. This technique traps the victim under the water, preventing escape and ensuring that the Cyanophytes can complete their digestion process without interruption.
Biological Cycle
During longer daylight hours in spring and summer, Cyanophytes engage in extensive photosynthesis. The abundant sunlight allows them to generate the energy required for growth and reproduction, leading to rapid population expansions often visible as algal blooms. Higher temperatures in the warmer months not only facilitate better conditions for photosynthesis but also speed up metabolic processes, including reproduction and growth. The warm water enhances the solubility of nutrients, making them more accessible to the Cyanophytes.
As daylight decreases in autumn and extends into winter, the reduced sunlight limits their ability to photosynthesize effectively. This reduction triggers a shift towards their predatory behaviors as an alternative means to obtain necessary nutrients. Lower temperatures slow down metabolic activities. In regions with severe cold, Cyanophytes may enter a dormant state where their metabolic processes minimize to conserve energy until conditions become favorable again. The decrease in light during autumn and winter, or during extended periods of overcast weather, prompts Cyanophytes to utilize their unique ability to transform into humanoid forms more frequently. This behavioral adaptation allows them to actively hunt and ingest organic materials, compensating for the decreased photosynthetic activity.
Behaviour
As a collective entity composed of individual bacterial cells, Cyanophytes exhibit a high degree of cooperation. This is necessary for their survival and effective functioning, especially when forming large blooms or biofilms. Cooperation is also crucial when they transition into their humanoid form for hunting, as this requires a coordinated effort from numerous individual cells. Cyanophytes naturally tend to form colonies that can grow into extensive algal blooms. These colonies are not just aggregations of cells; they are integrated units that work together to maximize photosynthesis, enhance stability, and optimize predatory effectiveness.
When threatened by predators, Cyanophytes can employ several defense mechanisms. They may increase the production of toxins (cyanotoxins) which are deterrent and harmful to many aquatic organisms. This chemical defense helps protect the colony from being consumed. If the production of toxins is insufficient to deter a predator, Cyanophytes can disperse or change their configuration to make themselves less appealing or harder to consume. This might include dispersing into thinner layers across the water or temporarily reducing their visible biomass.
One of the most distinctive behaviors of Cyanophytes is their ability to lure prey by mimicking the shapes of humanoid figures or sometimes animals. This deceptive behavior is crucial for their predatory lifestyle, especially during periods of low light when photosynthesis is not sufficient to meet their energy needs. Once the prey is within reach, Cyanophytes typically use their transformed limbs to pull the prey underwater, increasing the surface tension to trap it. They then secrete enzymes and toxins to kill and digest the prey, absorbing the nutrients directly from the decomposed material. Cyanophytes are known for their ability to exploit their prey thoroughly. Once they capture a creature, they use every part of it, leaving nothing to waste. This efficiency is crucial in environments where organic inputs might be limited.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The cyanotoxins that these organisms secrete are some of the more powerful naturally occuring poisons available, and are harvested by those that know how to safely acquire them for various medical and often nefarious purposes.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Cyanophytes are commonly found in freshwater lakes where conditions are stable and nutrients are abundant. Lakes provide a large surface area for photosynthesis and ample opportunities for these organisms to form extensive blooms. The flowing waters of rivers and streams can also host Cyanophytes, especially in slower-moving sections where sediment and organic material accumulate. These environments support their growth and predatory behavior, as they can use the currents to their advantage in dispersing and trapping prey. Smaller bodies of water like ponds are ideal for Cyanophytes due to their often nutrient-rich environments and reduced water flow, which allows for stable bloom formations and effective hunting grounds for their transformed states.
Where freshwater meets the sea, in estuaries, Cyanophytes can thrive in the brackish conditions. These areas often have high levels of organic material and nutrients brought in by tides, which can support both their photosynthetic and predatory lifestyles. Similar to estuaries, coastal wetlands provide a mix of fresh and saltwater that can be conducive to Cyanophyte populations. The dynamic environment supports a diverse food web, in which Cyanophytes can play a significant role.
While Cyanophytes can potentially inhabit any suitable freshwater or brackish environment globally, specific known locations include:
- Carrig River: A notable river where Cyanophytes have been observed, benefiting from the river’s nutrient flow and diverse biological community.
- Cold Belly Lake: A lake known for its clear waters and abundant sunlight, ideal for photosynthesis.
- Dunn Dierdiere Bog: Bogs offer unique ecological niches with high organic content, suitable for Cyanophytes during their predatory phases.
- Lost Lake and The Silver Eye: These lakes provide isolated environments where Cyanophytes can dominate the local ecosystem under favorable conditions.
Average Intelligence
Cyanophytes, despite their complex behaviors and ability to adapt to various environmental conditions, do not possess what would traditionally be classified as intelligence, especially when compared to sentient organisms. Their actions, while sophisticated and sometimes seemingly strategic, are driven by biological imperatives rather than cognitive processing.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Despite lacking true sensory organs like eyes or ears, Cyanophytes have developed a highly sensitive environmental perception system. They can detect vibrations and movements in the water, which helps them identify potential prey or threats approaching their territory, and their cells are sensitive to changes in light levels, which triggers their transformation from inert algae into active hunters.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Cyanophytes occasionally form symbiotic relationships with certain types of bacteria and fungi, which can colonize the biofilms they create. These relationships can enhance their stability and resilience, contributing to the overall structure of the microbial community in their habitats.
Scientific Name
Pseudoplethoria cyanohominis
Origin/Ancestry
Cyanobacteria
Lifespan
Approximately 24 hours
Average Height
Varies in its Cyanophyte form.
Average Weight
Varies in Cyanophyte form.
Geographic Distribution
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