Our Ocean Planet
This is our imaginary ocean planet Evo-1
EVO-1
The imaginary planet we have created is an ocean planet with an ocean 100-125 km deep. In this deep ocean, there are abundant and mineral-rich hydrothermal vents and sulfidic cave ecosystems underneath. These regions are inhabited by chemosynthetic organisms such as giant tube worms, sulfur-reducing bacteria (Beggiatoa species) and methane-producing archaea (ANME-1). Symbiotic relationships exist between these species, increasing the lipid production of individuals and increasing the efficiency of chemosynthetic reactions. This ecosystem has the necessary nutrient and energy infrastructure for organisms that can evolve over time.
The Planet's Creatures
Tritulons
Tritulons (Tritulonidae) are large, multicellular organisms resembling giant tube worms, growing up to 3-4 meters in length. They live around hydrothermal vents and form symbiotic relationships with sulfur-reducing bacteria, obtaining energy through chemosynthesis. Their flexible, dense muscle tissues allow them to withstand the extreme pressure and low temperatures of the deep ocean. Their tube-like bodies protect them from water currents and help them gather nutrients in mineral-rich environments. As a key part of the food chain, Tritulons provide shelter for smaller organisms and serve as a habitat for symbiotic species and parasites.
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Ophidocarins
Ophidocarins are snake-like predators with long, slender bodies. They have reached the top of the food chain by hunting small chemosynthetic organisms like tube worms, shrimp, and bacteria. With an advanced digestive system, sharp teeth, and quick movements, they are efficient hunters. Their flexible bodies allow them to navigate strong currents around hydrothermal vents. As top predators, they maintain population balance by controlling the growth of other organisms in the ecosystem.
Kavrions (Cavriotheca) are slow-moving, shelled organisms adapted to deep ocean cave systems. They use their strong jaws and double shells to break down minerals and feed on chemosynthetic bacteria living in sulfur-rich structures on cave walls. Their hard shells and advanced tactile organs help them thrive in low light, high-pressure environments. Kavrions contribute to the cave ecosystem by maintaining the mineral cycle, creating new habitats as they dig through cave walls, and serving as a primary food source for other organisms.
Kavrions
Fluorescent Anemones (Fluorescoidea) are stationary polyps that attach to the deep ocean floor. They possess bioluminescent properties, emitting light around hydrothermal vents to attract other organisms. These anemones form symbiotic relationships with bacteria that feed on chemicals from the vents, providing them with energy. Their bioluminescence facilitates symbiotic interactions, acting as a mechanism to attract energy sources. Additionally, they have tough tissues that allow them to withstand the chemically rich hydrothermal environment. Fluorescent Anemones help maintain chemical balance in the ecosystem by attracting and interacting with other chemosynthetic organisms.
Fluorescent
Metanovores are complex, methane-consuming multicellular organisms, around 50 cm long, with flat, reptile-like bodies that crawl along the deep ocean floor. They obtain energy by absorbing methane gas produced by chemosynthetic archaea through specialized organs. Their gill-like structures allow them to absorb methane directly, and they are well adapted to methane-rich waters and extreme deep-sea conditions. As top consumers of methane, Metanovores help maintain energy balance in the ecosystem by regulating the methane cycle in harmony with methane-producing archaea.
Metanovores
Simulation of the Evolutionary Process
Initial Period (0-1 million years): With the emergence of hydrothermal vents enriched by cryo-volcanic activity, simple chemosynthetic organisms begin to proliferate in these environments. These organisms lay the foundations of the food chain that will sustain their vital cycles by utilising the available minerals and chemical compounds.
First Ecological Equilibrium (1-10 million years): Simple organisms based on chemosynthesis begin to develop symbiotic relationships as they multiply. Tube worms enter into symbiotic relationships with sulfur-reducing bacteria, making the nutrient cycle more efficient. Organisms begin to form more complex biological structures by increasing energy production by chemosynthesis.
Diversification of ecosystems (10-100 million years): As ecosystems around hydrothermal vents develop, similar life forms emerge in different parts of the planet. Methane-producing archaea species begin to play an important role in energy production. Ecosystem diversification leads to more complex symbiotic relationships between different species.
Advanced Evolution (100-500 million years): Over time, chemosynthetic organisms develop more complex structures. As cryovolcanic activity changes, different ecosystems emerge and competition between species increases. Some species learn to live in underwater cave ecosystems, while others migrate to deeper or shallower regions.
Potential Multicellular Life (after 500 million years): The development of complex organisms accelerates and species evolve to form more sophisticated food chains. The development of multicellular organisms allows ecosystems on the ocean floor to become more complex. This evolutionary process indicates that the planet could host more complex life forms in the future.
