Oilcons

In response to predation and competition, Oilcons split from their ancestor, lost their complex multicellular stage, and developed the ability to produce large amounts of polydimethylsiloxane, or silicone oil. This makes the sand or soil surrounding them hostile to other cells, and even to larger flora, as it sticks to itself and, especially on land, does not retain water anywhere near as well. In essence, large concentrations of Oilcons turn the substrate into kinetic sand. Still bound to the presence of methane, Oilcons fortunately cannot exist in large enough concentrations to destroy vast swaths of habitat, but the levels of silicone oil in the substrate will increase as time goes on if it is not controlled. Oilcon activity can still already kill small patches of flora in some cases, letting them help themselves to sunlight as well as methane from the methanogens residing in the decaying remains.

As their new strategy depends on being buried, Oilcons are mainly found just underground. Underwater, the effect they have on the sand around them makes them difficult for any predators, even krakocians, to access. As such, they have less need for their silicone resin coating, so this is thinner than it was in their ancestors. As secondarily-unicellular descendants of Coinstacks, the Oilcons obtain pure silicon by converting silica to monosilicic acid first, much like terran rice plants, rather than using the quartz-photosynthesis of other siliconia.

There are many species of Oilcon. Originating from polar Coinstack stock, they retain a more orange color. Some species are colonial, and a few terrestrial and riparian species have regained transport cells and the ability to grow roots from their colonies--though, they remain primarily unicellular and lack the structured form their ancestors had. Polar species generally have some ability to go dormant over winter.