Xenomykorrhizan

While the chemomykoid lineage was adapting into forms of microbial organisms based on chemosynthesis, other mycozoans were evolving into large, networking forms to make better use of their ability to assimilate biomass. With the devastation of coastal ecosystems, large populations of mycoids surged to exploit the abundance of detritus matter. As a result of this explosion, some forms of mycoids adapted to form long, networking chains of cells designed to collect nutrients over greater areas. Some of these organisms in particular began to specialize for life underground, choosing to live beneath the sediment rather than on its surface. These organisms developed massive colonial networks of root systems designed to collect nutrients that were otherwise unavailable to other mycoids, plants, and scavengers alike. This has led to other developments, such as symbiotic relationships with rebounding phytozonas, and the development of specialized structures for reproduction. In particular, the advent of symbiosis with plant-like organisms of Almaishah has led to this group of mycozoans being named xenomykorrhiza.
Pictured here are stand of xenomykorrhiza fruiting bodies are seen, the underground "roots" of the organisms are competing with the sargrasso, and so they two organisms are both found only in patches, however this is only around the fruiting bodies, elsewhere the hyphae of the xeonmykorrhiza will intertwine with the root structures and together make nutrient sharing more efficient for both organisms. [Creature design by Lethal Cuteness]

Basic Information

Anatomy

Xenomykorrhizans are colonial mycoid organisms that primarily grow underneath the sediment. The vast majority of a Xenomkyorrhizan’s biomass consists of weblike networks of long, tubular structures bearing resemblance to the shape and form of the ancestral mycoid species. The cilia have been replaced by additional, finer tubular growths that create an almost feathery appearance to the network (hyphae). These ends are tipped with diploid cells, which divide to create new outgrowths. Out of the two cells, the innermost one will usually divide into haploid cells - which consist of the bulk of the organism. However occasionally this does not occur, resulting in an isolated diploid cell. This diploid cell will form a new outgrowth, thus creating a new branch of the tubular networking structure. Occasionally, a branch of the structure will begin to move towards the surface of the sediment. When this occurs, trace amounts of chlorophyll within the cell will trigger a photosensitive response. The resulting divisions create a small stem shooting out of the sediment capped with a small bud, which is usually in the form of a sphere, teardrop, or semicircle. This organ is the primary node of reproduction, and the bud mainly consists of diploid cells as opposed to the usual haploid cell. These buds often possess pigmentation of some sort - usually red, green, orange, brown, or violet. The interior of the tubular structures mainly consists of long tubes running all throughout the organism, which are used as transportation in order to move nutrients throughout the network - and most importantly to the bud, which is unable to collect organic material for itself. In a symbiotic system, these tubes (called mycelium) will also extend into the roots of nearby phytozoans and connect to vascular systems within their primitive roots and stems.

Genetics and Reproduction

Xenomykorrhizans include both haploid and diploid cells. While the majority of their biomass consists of haploid cells, cells involved in rapid growth at the ends of the individual tubes of mycelium. Diploid cells multiply by stretching out to great lengths before splitting into two. Afterwards, the rear diploid cell performs the same process almost immediately, but much more rapidly and without expending resources to clone it’s DNA - resulting in two long haploid cells. This process is how cellular reproduction occurs within the organism, and how it grows the bulk of it’s biomass. In the event of a photosensitive response to sunlight, the xenomykorrhizan will synthesize enzymes to aid in the production of a bud. These enzymes control gene expression and ensure that gamete development is successful. The mycelium strand that protruded into the sun develops a small, round bud at the tip. This bud is a translucent white at first, however rapidly begins to develop pigmentation as it grows. As the bud swells, the supporting mycelium strand will elongate and thicken, creating a protruding structure resembling a lollipop or mushroom depending on the shape of the bud. All cells within the bud are diploid, however much of the stem will remain haploid. Once construction of functional spores is complete (usually taking around 10 - 15 local days), haploid spores are produced within the bud to be used in reproduction. Sexual reproduction occurs when two strands of mycelium from different xenomykorrhizans collide. When this occurs, a single set of chromosomes is produced by both cells, and the two begin to merge. Next, the new chromosomal sets created for the purpose are combined in between both cells, and will form the nucleus of a third cell that will develop in the space between the two original cells. This third cell will develop its own mycelium network, and eventually a bud at the surface - propagating it’s genome and contributing the genetic diversity of the species.

Growth Rate & Stages

The xenomykorrhizan spores are usually released upon disturbance by another organism (such as a nearby Rockfish) or when the buildup of spores has neared the maximum capacity of the bud. When either condition occurs, the spores are ejected en masse into the water, where they will drift until they encounter a suitable landing site. When the spore lands on the sediment of the seafloor, it will begin to grow rapidly into a long, tubular structure moving inwards into the ground. This initial strand of mycelium will anchor the xenomykorrhizan to the seafloor, and will collect the nutrients required to stimulate the organisms growth. As the organism gains nutrients, it will begin to grow it’s first bud. This bud contains the initial haploid genome, however due to an additional cellular division at the upper end of the strand, the bud of this organism contains paired chromosomes - becoming diploidal. The mycelium of the organism will continue to develop into a large network under the surface, and will likely create numerous other buds. Because of the nature of xenomykorrhizan biology, an “individual” xenomykorrhizan could theoretically live forever. In practice, however, environmental conditions and overcrowding by other xenomykorrhizans will eventually result in all diploid cells of the original colony dying, and this, in tandem with older cells within the organism, will eventually lead to it succumbing to death.

Ecology and Habitats

Xenomykorrhizans mainly live in the Yama-Kub Shay Major Reef System, and both species can be found dotting the shallow waters around Kub Shay. Beyond this, the two species of Xenomykorrhiza each have different ranges based upon their unique adaptations. Xenomykorrhiza yamensis is named so due to the large population found along the coast of Yama, however it’s range is far greater than this. X. yamensis can be found across the entire reef system, as well as along the coastlines of all three continents and the Katharaian Ridge. . X. niylanensis, however, thrives in a very different environment. While it shares its habitat with X. yamensis around the coastline of Kub Shay, its range also extends to the shores of Niylan where the species thrives. This is due to the symbiotic nature of X. niylanensis and chemochoids. X. niylanensis has evolved pocket-like structures along it’s mycelium that contain colonies of chemochoids. X. niylanensis provides minerals from the ground, and in turn the chemochoids synthesize assimilable materials to X. niylanensis, which can then be traded with phytozoans for glucose. It is worth noting that both species can be found in the interior regions of Kub Shay, with X. niylanensis being found in the interior regions of Niylan as well. Additionally, these organisms are not particularly common at present - thus, findings of Xenomykorrhiza there are somewhat rare.

Biological Cycle

Xenomykorrhiza require organic compounds in an assimilable form, and as a result are mainly detritivorous in nature. Large networks of mycelium are used to collect organic compounds to fuel metabolism. Digestive enzymes are excreted from mycelium into the sediment to digest and bind to nutrients, which are then absorbed into the fungus. Furthermore, mycorrhiza (symbiosis with phytozoans) is becoming increasingly more common, as more xenomykorrhizans have found a niche supplying these autotrophs with nutrients that are essential for photosynthesis in exchange for glucose and other assimilable organic material.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

While the xenomykorrhizans lack eyes or a proper nervous system, cells do possess the ability to detect and respond to stimuli - mainly through the use of two mechanisms. The first of these mechanisms are the trace amounts of chlorophyll that are present within the xenomykorrhizan cell. The presence of this chlorophyll is not enough to photosynthesize, however it is enough to detect the presence of light radiation and is used to detect when a tubular structure has reached the surface. Secondarily, xenomykorrhizans also possess the ability to use chemical and electrical signals sent between cells as a means of responding to stimuli locally - such as increasing toxin production to ward off predators. These sensory abilities are equivalent to those found in chemomykoedia, indicating that the two mutually share a more recent common ancestor than with any other mycoid descendent, as well as that these sensory traits evolved prior to the two groups divergence from each other.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Xenomykorrhizans are known to symbiote with several phytozoan species, the most notable of which is the segmata tail. The symbiosis between these two species has helped to propel both of them to populate numerous portions of Almaishah’s photic zones.

EXTINCT

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Mycoid

Scientific Name

Xenomykorrhiza yamensis, Xenomykorrhiza nilyanensis

Origin/Ancestry

Phytozoa

Lifespan

Singular xenomykorrhizan cell: 60 local days, singular bud: 6 local years, Entire colony: indefinite

Average Height

Bud 2-20cm Roots 1-10 mm thickness

Average Length

Bud: 3-25 cm (at widest point) Root: Varies depending on environmental conditions; maximum length of 8-10 m

Geographic Distribution

• Almaishah