Angel Comb

 | Feature | Details |-| --- | --- |+| :--- | :--- | | **Species** | *Cecidia gamikos* ("gamikos gall") |-| **Attitude** | Passive | | **Type** | Anchored | | **Category** | Combs |+| **Attitude** | Passive | | **Biomes** | Karakorum Power Plant, Necrolei Hills, Shallows |   ![Angel Comb](Angel_Comb.png)  -The **Angel Comb** is a very large, sessile organism that parasitises the [[Titan Rockbore]]. It contains a large amount of gene sequences within its core, which can be harnessed to gain [[Adaptations]]. The Angel Comb releases large amounts of standard [[Proteavirus]] into the water around it, infecting all living organisms. However, Angel Combs are often targeted by the [[Bloom]] strain of Proteavirus, subverting them and preventing the production of normal Proteavirus in favor of the Bloom strain. An infected Angel Comb becomes a '''Bloom Core''', which can only be accessed by curing its connected [[Bloom Node]]s.+The **Angel Comb** is a very large, sessile organism that parasitises the [[Titan Rockbore]]. It contains a large amount of gene sequences within its core, which can be harnessed to gain [[Adaptations]].   +The Angel Comb releases large amounts of standard [[Proteavirus]] into the water around it, infecting all living organisms. However, Angel Combs are often targeted by the [[Bloom]] strain of Proteavirus, subverting them and preventing the production of normal Proteavirus in favor of the Bloom strain. An infected Angel Comb becomes a [[Bloom Core]], which can only be accessed by curing its connected [[Bloom Node]]s. +  Angel Combs seem to "call out" to nearby lifeforms, enticing them to approach and share its genes. Infected Angel Combs will call out in the same way, begging for the Bloom to be cured and giving advice on clearing it. Both of these voices are hallucinations of [[Proteavirus#Masefield Syndrome|Masefield Syndrome]], caused by the Proteavirus emitted by the comb. For a list of Angel Combs and their locations, see [[Bloom#Bloom Locations|Bloom]].   ## Appearance   A healthy Angel Comb has four extended leaves with its accumulated genetic data stored in its bright purple core. When a closed Angel Comb is cured of its [[Bloom]] infection, its four leaves extend outward.   ## Behavior  -The Angel Comb acts as a genetic piracy hub. It draws food from the Titan Rockbore below and may be an obligate parasite of these titan-class organisms. By releasing viruses, it steals genes from the surrounding ecosystem to store in its central bulb.+The Angel Comb acts as a genetic piracy hub. It draws food from the Titan Rockbore below and may be an obligate parasite of these titan-class organisms.   ## Locations   For a more complete list of locations, see [[Bloom#Bloom Locations|Bloom]].   ## Databank Entry  -### Angel Comb+> **Source:** Scan an Angel Comb+> > This animal (*Cecidia gamikos*) has no Earthly analog and no clear ecological niche. The ancestral form may be a ctenophore (comb jelly). Of all animals on Earth, comb jellies are the least related to humans. > > **1. Active central bulb** > The central bulb is similar to an enormous cell nucleus. It contains gene sequences from organisms in the surrounding environment. > > **2. Viral loop** > The combs release a large RNA virus into the seawater. This virus (designated Proteavirus) infects all other organisms in the ecosystem. Infected organisms produce new copies of the virus, which return to the angel comb carrying stolen genes from infected hosts. The angel comb conducts genetic piracy on a massive scale. > > **3. External food source** > The angel comb draws food from the titan rockbore below. Angel combs may be obligate parasites of titan rockbores. > > **Assessment:** Touch central bulb for genetic adaptation. Further investigation urgently required. > > **Note:** Users may be curious about the symbiosis between Earthly parasitic wasps and polydnaviruses. The wasp's own genome contains the viral genome, allowing the wasp to create the virus for use in its reproductive cycle.  -### Bloom Core-> This animal (*Cecidia gamikos*) has no Earthly analog. No apparent ecological niche except to reproduce and release virus. The ancestral firm may be a ctenophore (comb jelly).->-> Its core is a viral incubator stocked with genetic material from organisms in the surrounding ecosystem.->-> **1. Complete viral saturation**-> The bloom core's entire body is densely infected with large RNA virus (generated name Proteavirus beta). The only exception is the central bulb.->-> **2. External food supply**-> The core's filter combs are inactive. It receives all its calories from the titan rockbore below, or, if that supply is disrupted, from nearby bloom cankers. Cutting off both food supplies might allow the bloom core to clear its infection.->-> **3. Living bioreactor**-> The central bulb of the core contains genetic sequences from organisms living in the nearby ecosystem. These sequences are used as training material for Proteavirus beta to improve its infectiveness. It is a laboratory for genetic adaptation.->-> **Assessment:** Source of virus for all nearby bloom nodes. Starve and purge viral infection by clearing connected nodes and cankers. Retrieve central bulb for genetic research and adaptation. Further investigation urgently required. Does this organism have a function beyond viral propagation?->-> **Note:** Users may be curious about the symbiosis between Earthly parasitic wasps and polydnaviruses. The wasp's own genome contains the viral genome, allowing the wasp to create the virus for use in its reproductive cycle.-  ## Gallery   ![An uninfected Angel Comb in the Shallows](Digestion_Angel_Comb.png) ![The base, displaying burrowing roots and the base for the core](Angel_Comb_base.png) ![Inside is the core, its open inner shell and the interior of the 'wings'](Angel_Comb_interior.png) ![Each wing is composed of a shell and interior brace with tendrils evident on the exterior side](Angel_Comb_wing.png) ![At night, the Angel Comb shines like a dark beacon](Angel_Comb_night.png) ![An infected Angel Comb becomes a Bloom Core](Heat_Tolerance_Angel_Comb.png) ![A cured juvenile Angel Comb](Juvenile_Angel_Comb.png) ![Interacting with the Digestion Angel Comb](Digestion_Angel_Comb_touch.gif)   ## Trivia  -* The epithet "*gamikos*" is directly taken from the name of type of ancient Greek pottery called a [lèbes gamikòs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8bes_gamik%C3%B2s), in reference to the Angel Comb's distinctive shape.+*   The epithet "*gamikos*" is directly taken from the name of a type of ancient Greek pottery called a [lèbes gamikòs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8bes_gamik%C3%B2s), in reference to the Angel Comb's distinctive shape.