Darwin Octocrystal

The darwin octocrystal split off from its ancestor as a population expanded into the poorly-lit depths of the Darwin region. Typically being found at depths between 100 and 200 meters, the darwin octocrystal has switched to a carotene-based photosynthetic pigment that allows for it to photosynthesize at depths where no light aside from blue, green and purple light can penetrate. At these depths, the crystal appears black due to the lack of orange light. However, there is a population in West Darwin Temperate coast that grows closer to the surface due to a lack of competitors. Specimens growing in temperate zones exhibit shorter hibernation times and typically grow larger than their polar counterparts.