Star-of-Bethlehem Crystalblight

The polar regions of Darwin proved to be difficult for the Five-Fingered Crystalblight to colonize, as surviving the cold, dark waters is nearly impossible for the five-fingered crystalblight. However, some populations persisted and gave rise to the star-of-bethlehem crystalblight.

The Gametophyte and Sporophyte of the star-of-bethlehem crystalblight have acclimated to the waters of Darwin Polar Coast. Both have developed darker photosynthetic pigments, allowing them to photosynthesize in darker waters. However, this is where the similarities end. The Sporophyte will live as long as its host does, leeching nutrients from it with its embedded mycelium. When winter arrives, the sporophyte will use the hormones used to initiate hibernation in its host to initiate its own hibernation. This results in the Sporophyte entering and leaving hibernation at the same time as its host. It has also developed more photosynthetic crystals, allowing it to gain more carbon from photosynthesis. The mycelium itself is thicker and insulates the sporophyte from the bitter cold that characterizes its habitat.

The Gametophyte has changed little internally. However, the gametophyte now hosts a wide variety of new external features, including changes in color, shape, and size. The star shape of the gametophyte allows it to gather more sunlight than its ancestor. The extra points resulting from the star shape also help deter predators. It has also grown larger, allowing it to trap more heat than its ancestor. The gametophytes are far more short-lived than the sporophytes, only surviving over the course of the summer. They grow rapidly before perpetually producing and releasing gametes into the water column. Unable to survive off of photosynthesis and filter-feeding over the winter, the gametophytes will die en masse over the fall due to a lack of food.