Amber-eyed Kelp

+| Property | Details |+| :--- | :--- |+| **Type** | Anchored |+| **Category** | Kelp |+| **Biome** | Tar Delta |+| **Scan Tool** | Bioscanner |+ +![Amber-eyed Kelp](Amber-eyed Kelp.png)+ +**Amber-eyed Kelp** is an anchored lifeform that appears in the Tar Delta region.+ +## Appearance+ +*Section requires expansion.*+ +## Behavior+ +*Section requires expansion.*+ +## Databank Entry+ +**Kelp kharapos**. A deepwater kelp that feeds entirely on chemicals rather than sunlight. Produces edible spore bodies.+ +### 1. Chemical conversion+The amber-eyed kelp's blades collect rising methane and sulfur from tar seeps. Its bright colors are produced by a hemoglobin-like molecule that binds oxygen and hydrogen sulfide, which it feeds to bacterial symbiotes. The kelp's holdfast dumps waste products into the substrate.+ +### 2. Ecological role+Locally, the kelp converts seep chemicals into the proteins, sugars, vinyls and plastics used by other Protean life. Globally, chemotrophic life probably captures between 50% and 90% of methane and hydrocarbons released by tar seeps, playing a critical role in climate regulation.+ +### 3. Deepsea adaptation+Optogenetic analysis suggests the amber-eyed kelp diverged from shallow water photosynthetic kelps within the last 10 million years. Could a loss of sunlight have caused a major kelp die-back, leaving only deep-water survivors? If so, how recently, and why have shallow kelp populations not returned?+ +### 4. Edible spores+The amber-eyed kelp must spread its spores in deeper, less energy-rich waters, so it loads them with a supply of the sugar alcohol mannitol. Though edible (with adaptations), mannitol can compromise the blood-brain barrier if injected.+ +**Assessment:** vital ecological keystone and effective food source for pioneers on the go.+ +*Source: Scan an Amber-eyed Kelp*+ +## Gallery+ +### Development+ +![Amber Eyed Kelp depicted in Tar Delta Concept Art](Scorpius_Concept_Art.jpg)