Betacalixes

The betacalixes evolved from the cobblesaucer and have spread out in all oceans and beaches. The betacalixes have become more complex with two additional cell layers. Its first two cell layers are the cell wall and photosynthetic layer; while cell wall is all around the outside of the betacalix, it is thinner on the very top to provide easier absorption of sunlight for the photosynthetic layer. The areas with a thicker cell wall tend to be darker in color. Furthermore, on the photosynthetic layer, it retains its ancestor's carotenoids and peridinin to maximize photosynthetic capabilities while reducing damage from ultraviolet rays. The third layer is used for water and nutrient storage, which further improves its ancestral durability should it ever get dry on the beaches. Much like its ancestor, it still feeds via photosynthesis and sucking up debris with its multiple proboscises that stick out from its outer cell layer. The fourth layer is a membrane that prevents its inner contents from leaking out of said proboscises.

There are several different kinds of species of betacalixes including some that live on the Twilight Floor, some that float between the Twilight and Sunlight columns, and those that live in coastal areas and beaches. The Twilight Floor betacalixes have numerous flagella on the outside that help them bring detritus closer to their proboscises and have little of the photosynthetic layer exposed; due to this, they rely almost solely on debris for food. The Twilight-Sunlight betacalixes highly resemble their ancestor and even gain their energy in an identical manner as it. The Coastal-Beach betacalixes have few flagella and have a large photosynthetic layer, which means that it heavily depends on photosynthesis and looks the least like its ancestor. While all betacalixes have a storage cell layer, they’re all at varying levels of thickness with Twilight Floor betacalixes having the thinnest storage cell layer, Twilight-Sunlight betacalixes having a relatively average storage cell layer, and Coastal-Beach betacalixes having the thickest storage cell layer, which is especially handy as they are the betacalixes that deal with dry climates the most.

The most unique adaptation developed from the betacalixes is that it now reproduces by releasing tiny spores from the photosynthetic area. These spores are highly durable against the elements, even moreso than their adult stage by being able to remain dormant for years until they are soaked in an adequate amount of water.