Protopathogena crysta

Protopathogena crysta is a pathogen that affects the various species of crystal flora native to the LadyM Ocean and surrounding coastlines. P. crysta uses a digestive chemical known as chitinase to dissolve the tough outer cells composing the crystal layer of the crystal flora. Once the pathogen has eliminated enough of the outer layer to expose the fungal core, it will attack the inner core. In addition to damaging the ability of the infected organism to collect minerals and decaying matter, the newly exposed core is opened up to attack from a whole host of other organisms. Due to the thick cell membrane of P. crysta, the digestive enzymes of the crystal flora do not have much of an effect on it. Instead, they end up working in favor of the pathogen, keeping other single-celled organisms from approaching the crystal flora.