Mustache Detritis
Mustache Detritis are the result of symbiosis between Denitrifying Detritis and the Lazarus Krakocia. They are named for the manner in which this symbiosis physically manifests. The krakocian component is endosymbiotic. Much like the krakocian endosymbiotes found in hexapodians, the krakocian cell is mostly inside the detriti cell apart from the five flagella which stick out of the cell. These are located just above the cell mouth, making it look like a mustache. The detriti uses the krakocian’s chemoreceptors, which are attuned to the “smell” of silicone, to locate dead siliconians. As the dead siliconians are typically surrounded by or coated in silicone, the detriti then applies the krakocian’s siliconease to break it down so it can access the organic matter trapped inside. This symbiotic tag team has the effect of reducing the amount of silicone buildup in the environment, even helping to shrink “kinetic sand deserts” created by Oilcons.
Like other Detritis, Mustache Detritis navigate their environment using both cilia and flagella. Rather than having a limited number of cilia, Mustache Detritis instead are almost completely covered in them like a fur coat. This grants them much finer control over how they move. When siliconian detritus is scarce, they may also feed on other dead organisms or actively hunt small cells. To thrive in low-oxygen environments, where siliconia are often found, the Mustache Detritis retain their Detriti ancestor’s ability to use nitrate in place of oxygen during respiration.
There are thousands of species of Mustache Detriti. They can thrive just about anywhere where there is moisture, from soil to oceans, though they prefer benthic sunlit habitats where siliconia are abundant. Those which live in the so-called “kinetic sand deserts” created by Oilcon activity produce significantly more siliconease than other species, allowing them to fight the substrate-parching influence of silicone oil. A number of species live deep in the water table where siliconian detritus and silicone oil eventually seeps, helping to remove the oil from the environment faster than it would be if it were only being degraded through reactions with clay. Some species may also live in hydrothermal vents, where some siliconia are miraculously present. In general, they adapt to different conditions by having faster or slower metabolisms to match food availability.