Buoyball

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Taxonomy
Ancestors and Descendants
Ancestor: Buoyshroom

Creator: Buffoprington

Habitat: Abacaba Tropical Ocean (Sunlight Zone), North Temperate Abacaba Ocean (Sunlight Zone), South Temperate Abacaba Ocean (Sunlight Zone)

Size: 50 cm Diameter

Diet: Photosynthesis, Filter-Feeder

Reproduction: Asexual Budding

While the bouyshroom was relatively well adapted to the open ocean, it was still plagued by many issues. These issues were solved as the buoyshroom adapted further to the open ocean. This ultimately resulted in the buoyball. Its ancestor's stalk had a tendency to tip over, causing its discs to be positioned beneath the bulb, decreasing the uptake of sunlight. Thus, the buoyball's discs are directly connected to the bulb. This prevents it from tipping over, and also allows it to photosynthesize in any position. Its method of filter-feeding is less energy-intensive, as the tentacles have been replaced with microscopic spikes that line small pores on the surface of the central bulb. These pores soak up both water and nutrients from the popped microbes, while expelling waste. These pores are connected to a network of siphuncles, which will transport the nutrients to the cells, transport water in and out of the central chamber, and export waste from the cells. The central chamber itself also contains pores, which will fill and empty the chamber, allowing it to control its buoyancy. If it sinks in places that are too dark for it to photosynthesizing properly or is attacked by predators deeper in the water column, it will empty the chamber, causing it to rise. If it is exposed to unfavorable conditions or is attacked by something high in the water column, it will fill the chamber and sink down further.