Dionae Biology

Dionae are one of the more alien races that one can find in the Orion Spur, besides the Vaurcae. Suspected of originating outside known space, they have been studied for centuries ever since contact with the Skrell, and their subsequent induction into the other societies present within the Spur. The long-lived species have several aspects of its biology that are still to be understood, such as their ability to mimic other species and ingest genetic material to gain a deep understanding of certain memories, experiences and even skills.

Lifespan

Dionae do not have a determinable lifespan. Some may live for minutes, while others can live for millennia in the care of younger gestalts, but this is rare, and largely unheard of throughout the greater Spur except across Hieroaetheria. Academics and researchers, primarily comprised of Skrell, with a growing minority of Dionae, have categorised the lifespan of the species into six critical stages, where provided one manages to survive the prior, they move on to the next. They do not necessarily follow a linear timeline but instead occur based on contextual circumstances, such as the formation of a Gestalt.

Gesnatio

Gesnatio is considered the most fundamental stage of every Dionae. Each and every single one will be exposed to this extremely vulnerable period, commencing shortly after being disgorged from their incubating pod. Studies undertaken in this stage have concluded that until a Gestalt is formed, the Gesnatio period will continue indefinitely. One can also return to this stage, provided that they are thrust into circumstances that result in their isolation from the rest of their Gestalt. Generally, every Nymph is considered to be in the “Gesnatio” stage. They have limited learning capabilities, and only base instincts for the most part – seek safety, seek numbers, seek sustenance. Those finding themselves back in this stage generally have greater experiences which to derive choices from and fare better as opposed to their newly disgorged counterparts.

Coeus

Commencing upon the formation of a Gestalt, Though many are able to reach this stage, many are also blockaded by environmental circumstances from doing so. The Coeus life stage is generally only referred to in circumstances in relation to Cerberus, Cyclops and Argus forms, as the majority of the larger gestalts typically have existed for several centuries, and find themselves placed firmly within either the Geras, Vetus or Penuma stages. They largely do not have immobilising chitin, also doubling as a protective barrier, meaning the pain is considerable to those afflicted within the Gestalt, only really seeing mitigation following the commencement of the chitin growth. This has largely placed them at heightened pacifism unless cornered into circumstances that deem violence necessary; the increased pain pushing them to avoid it wherever and whenever possible. Almost inherent to the Coeus is the instinct to gather around more advanced Gestalts, it is not uncommon for Coeus to be seen tending to them in a child-like fashion – even going so far to acquire employment to provide funds to better elevate their elders; this is at odds with the species general tendencies to explore and understand the greater universe, with many choosing the latter sometimes referred to as “breaking from tradition”, in some circles, this can lead to ostracisation.

Medio

Medio, one of the more common sights across the greater Spur, are those transitioning between Coeus and Geras. They have begun to grow chitin across their formation; limiting mobility but also decreasing the pain felt during the early stages of Coeus. Typically, this life stage is understood to begin following the first growth of chitin on the Gestalt, but it is unclear how it transitions to Geras; some believe it to merely be an ideological transition, where a Gestalt understands their place in the hierarchy, with others suggesting that one becomes a Geras where they have acquired enough experiences to be considered mentors to the younger generations of Dionae. Many consider Medio to be the most likely stage in which Dionae see their mobility declining, and they must begin preparations to be cared for by those considered Coeus.

Geras

Geras, or Elders, are older Dionae that have overcome many adversities to be able to boast their unity for centuries; they are also covered in a decent amount of growths across their Gestalt. As a result of this, they are less mobile, but protected from most forms of damage; they are therefore less pacifistic than their younger counterparts. Due to their more experienced nature, Geras will frequently serve in positions of authority within Dionae hierarchies, as well as have sufficient resources to do so in non-Dionae hierarchies found across the Orion Spur, particularly in the Nralakk Federation. Colloquially referred to as Shepherds by those studying the species, Geras have an almost biological instinct to guide the younger generations, and ultimately seek to serve those that have managed to survive the transition to Vetus or Penuma. Geras approaching Vetus are known to focus solely on ensuring their memories and experiences are passed on, spawning new Gestalts when possible, and finding an appropriate and safe location to essentially spend the rest of their life; most often they will return to a similar environment from which they were first grown from. Uncommonly, some have elected to drift across the stars, until they are absorbed by stars.

Vetus

Rare is it to see a Vetus, they are amongst the eldest of the species, having managed to survive everything that has been thrown at them, and likely are under the constant guide and supervision of younger generations of Dionae; this can particularly be seen in Hieroaetheria, where the First are still cared for by the Government, in part due to negotiations during the Consortium Civil War in the 1700s CE. For the most part, they are likely to be the highest in the Dionae hierarchy, offering advice and orders to be fulfilled due to their immobility – as a result of the growths across their Gestalt. It is not uncommon for those approaching Vetus to merge with one another, and elect to spend the remainder of their existence together, understanding their inability to merely move as the younger Gestalts, but noting additional voices will at least offer a greater advisory ability. Vetus only begin to transition into Penuma where they begin to enter periods of hibernation, meaning a lack of communication for extended periods of time, at least that is what is perceived by those studying such phenomenon.

Penuma

Penuma represents the final and rarest stage of Dionae life, often embodying an immense and ancient form of the species. In this phase, the Dionae have reached a state of extreme immobility, encased in thick bark and overgrown tendrils, resembling a form of alien plant life. The outer layers of this stage make them almost indistinguishable from the natural environment, but beneath the surface, they remain fully sentient and aware of the outside world.

The only known Penuma exists within the Eternal Temple on Biesel; with the Vetus Firsts of the Consortium of Hieroaetheria possibly becoming the second known Penuma provided they survive long enough. Those that reach this stage are believed to be millennia old; with the Eternal Temple citing the Penuma as remainders from the original one destroyed by the Solarian Alliance in Rueltab, with very few survivors being guarded and transported off-world when possible. The dense bark and tendrils impede their ability to absorb sustenance, leading Penuma to develop alternate methods of gathering energy, such as linking with Nymphs on the exterior or forming a moss-like layer over their form. This process is inefficient and may lead to the accumulation of mundane growths that can be burned as nutrients during periods of starvation.

Despite their daunting appearance, Penuma maintains an active consciousness and a profound wealth of knowledge. However, their interaction with the external world is minimal, primarily providing guidance and wisdom only when deemed necessary. Geras often communicate with them to learn from their extensive experiences, but Penuma may respond unpredictably due to their vast, contemplative nature. Instances of Penuma defending themselves against perceived threats have been reported. Their response can include the use of their biomass to entangle and digest intruders, leading some to view them as potentially dangerous. Nevertheless, Penuma's primary focus remains on deep philosophical and esoteric musings. Penuma is revered as the spirit and foundation of Dionae knowledge and culture, offering a link to the species' distant past. Despite their reclusive nature and the challenges of studying them, their presence symbolizes the enduring legacy of the Dionae.

Appearance

Dionae vary in appearance, but they all have a common foundation; an intertwining, fungal-like body that generally comprises a Gestalt, no matter the size or age. It has been compared to a vine in some instances, closely locking into one another that it almost looks like a singular force – but upon closer inspection, one can see that there are actually different Nymphs comprising of a greater Gestalt. Depending on the age of a Gestalt, as well as the environment in which one is exposed, one can have different appearances. The environment in which one is exposed can further more have a deeper influence on one’s appearance, such as the ability to genetically assimilate its surroundings; leading to mimicry in some instances. Generally, those exposed to high-radiation environments develop a much darker appearance, similar to those exposed to radiation found in the Cosmos; however, the notable difference is that these forms of high radiation are typically found in terrestrial conditions. The most likelihood of one experiencing this environment are those found on Moghes – they are akin to a very dark lilac, or even deep green – contrasting against the bleak nuclear wastelands of Moghes. It isn’t uncommon for a Dionae exposed to high quantities of radioactive material to slowly darken over a period of time, as seen in those working closely with nuclear power. In contrast to those within a high-radiation environment, those born and grown within these environments are much lighter than their other counterparts. Their appearance is largely regarded as “abnormal” – not only just to other Dionae but non-Dionae as well. They have a sickly appearance, often appearing almost chrysoprase or prase-like on examination. Typically, those grown in these environments do not survive long – those that do use the experience as a foundation for their name, and all the obstacles they have to overcome to get where they are. Similarly, those that exist in this environment after having been grown elsewhere begin to slowly lighten over a period of time, but only in rare circumstances will a survivor be able to tell the journey.

Baseline and Desirable Traits

There are two archetypal baselines in modern Dionae that determine the environments in which they can reside and the traits they lack. The majority of Dionae are often a hybrid of these baselines or have evolved beyond the baseline after incorporating traits from genes they have analysed themselves or received from an ancestor. Baseline Dionae do exist in large populations in more isolated colonies of Dionae.

Terrestial Baseline

The terrestrial baseline is the least evolved form of Dionae that can trace the majority of its ancestors to planet-residing Dionae, of which none further incorporated any alien traits into their genome. These Dionae often lack extreme temperature tolerances and are unable to live in a space environment, however are considerably more socially evolved, with better capabilities for environmental mimicry and forming their own social mannerisms. An example of a trait the terrestrial baseline lacks compared to the voidic baseline would be tolerance to the void. This trait can be harvested from a voidborne creature, allowing a terrestrial Dionae to create a barrier that allows for exposure to the void. This comes less naturally to terrestrial Dionae than the void tolerance seen in voidic baseline, with any developed gas bladders being significantly weaker than Dionae who have a voidic baseline, only allowing shorter distance travel.

Voidic Baseline

The voidic baseline is the least evolved form of Dionae that can trace the majority of its ancestors to void-residing Dionae, of which none further incorporated any alien traits into their genome. These Dionae are capable of living in a void and are capable of utilising gas bladders to propel themselves, however struggle socially, relying more on simple, environmental mimicry that often lacks deeper understanding of what they are mimicking. Voidic Dionae could potentially learn more complex social behaviours by harvesting genetic material from social lifeforms.

Gestalt & Innerworkings

Gestalts have often been compared to fungal mycelium networks, in that upon merging with one another, the Dionae function as one – however, with the notable difference that many comprising the Gestalt often still maintain a sense of individuality, but largely suppress some tendencies for the greater good of unity. Though different mindtypes can occur, which resultingly has an impact on the development of a Gestalt’s personality, they are still considered a unified body – and therefore, act as one. This unification allows for them to not only merely share just sustenance and increase chances of survival, but also unite them in mind. Experiences, memories, and even skills learnt by Nymphs will be transferred – but most importantly, they are able to share their biological adaptions from genetic assimilation; an easier method than teaching one, but instead allowing them to develop it themselves.

Once apart of the Gestalt, survival is considered a paramount base instinct; but not just for oneself, but for all those that comprise it. Obviously, in circumstances that demand sacrifice, a Gestalt is willing to do so, but ultimately they strive to continue their unity without losses. Though merging is a rather painless process, and so is splitting within a brief time of merging, after sustained periods splitting can cause enormous trauma and damage to those comprising of a Gestalt, who have come to rely on the unification. In some circumstances, splitting can even result in death due to the inability of those within to carry on, a profound realisation that “broken-heart syndrome” perhaps even exists in Dionae, incapable of maintaining existence without the others that they have become so closely attached to – both physically, and emotionally.

Genetic Absorption and Neural Translation

Genetic Absorption

Genetic absorption, also more disparagingly referred to as genetic assimilation, is a unique form of evolution seen in Dionae and occurs when a Dionae absorbs a sample of genetic material from a donor specimen, be it another species or another Dionae, where it can then be decoded, studied, and recreated.

On consuming another form of life and soon after the initial grinding and mashing of a food bolus, the immediate rounds of digestion within the digestive vacuole always involve the secretion of certain solutions that aim to break down a cell’s walls, then selectively target the envelope of a nucleus such that the contained genetic material can be accessed. Another solution is then secreted to conglomerate and separate the nucleic acids - DNA, RNA - from other liquids in the digestion vacuole, allowing them to be absorbed on their own. The absorbed genetic material is then transported to an organ, known as the assimilation complex, at the centre of the genetic assimilatory system, where three things happen: the initial transcription of DNA and RNA by a polymerase to produce two replica strands; the memorisation of one of these replica strands by storing it in a genetic memory cell which resides within the assimilation complex; if desired, the mass reproduction of the second replica strand to allow for transportation around the nymph to other cells for absorption into the genome.

This all translates to Dionae being able to consume the genetic material of another form of life and incorporate choice traits they have identified into their own genome, essentially making them mobile genetic labs capable of modifying themselves, using analysed traits from other lifeforms or Dionae to base their own adaptations off. It also translates to the accidental absorption of genes that have unanticipated or potentially harmful impacts on a Dionae, hidden behind a desirable trait that provoked the Dionae to absorb the gene. For example: the absorption of some genes may slowly alter the behaviour or appearance of a Dionae in addition to providing a desired trait such as greater heat tolerance; the unintentional absorption of a virus could result in rapid propagation throughout all of a Dionae’s cells, rapidly weakening, hijacking bodily processes and/or killing them.

Neural Mirroring

Another unique adaptation among Dionae is the capability of neural mirroring when consuming the central neural structure of an organism – this is mostly performed as a part of genetic absorption but can be done outside of it as well. Also carried out within the Dionae’s assimilatory complex, it involves the minute biomass mimicry on a cell level of a particular absorbed neural structure, a mycelium-like network of Dionae biomass overlaying and mirroring the absorbed neurons. If mirrored precisely enough, the resulting now-Dionae neural structure can be incorporated into the nymph responsible for assimilatory processes, translating either a hazy memory or a general blueprint for behaviour or skill, which it can then share with any other nymphs within a gestalt.

Unlike genetic absorption, this process is significantly less precise and often fails to mirror larger or more complex neural structures: any memories translated are often core memories that have been reinforced multiple times with short but well-built-up neural structures; any behaviours or skills are only the most well-practised and well-cherished skills of the donor.

Similarly to genetic absorption, there lies an inherent uncertainty and risk whenever a Dionae incorporates a mirrored neural structure into its own. With no control over which pathways are the strongest within genetic information, memories and behaviours learned are not known until a sample is consumed: learned behaviours may be undesirable, resulting in personality changes; skills learned may be wholly useless to a Dionae and serve only the lifeform of the donor. More catastrophically however, strongly reinforced neurological pathologies can be carried over to a Dionae: the mirroring of a pathway reinforced by seizure use can result in seizure-like symptoms in Dionae, where the nymphs have surges of overactivity and spasming, rendering them useless for communication or function for short periods of time; the mirroring of deteriorated or dead neural structures, such as those impacted by dementia or left without oxygen supply following a stroke, only serve to slow down a nymph’s own cognitive processes.

Genetic and Environmental Mimicry

Mimicry is one of the Dionae’s most fascinating – or nefarious to some – abilities, studied by many across the Spur following the introduction of the species, with the skrell and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals at the forefront of research into Dionae mimicry. Dionae are known to exhibit two types of mimicry: genetic mimicry and environmental mimicry, also known as simple mimicry.

Environmental Mimicry

Environmental mimicry, also known as simple mimicry, is a voluntary form of mimicry exhibited in Dionae. It can be a visual mimicry, which is achieved by a Dionae consciously shaping its biomass to achieve a certain look or function, or it can be an auditory mimicry where a Dionae is able to recognise and repeat sounds it has heard. For example, a gestalt that has lived around skrell for a significant duration may elect to redistribute biomass around its head structure to give the appearance of headtails, as well as having a catalogue of chirps and warbles it has memorised and can replicate, though perhaps out of context sometimes. Environmental mimicry is often inaccurate, with only the broad strokes of an appearance, behaviour or sound being captured: a gestalt may be able to reproduce a sound it has heard, but it lacks the biological structures to ensure the sound is perfect, it lacks the social context to know when reproduction of that sound is expected; a gestalt may be able to broadly mimic the appearance of another species, though will miss finer details or specific functions of the mimicked characteristic. Environmental mimicry is quick, however, and can often be used in a pinch, whether for survival or hunting.

Genetic Mimicry

Genetic mimicry is a consequence, intended or unintended, of genetic absorption. Whether due to selection, inaccuracies when sampling genes from genetic material, or a gene having more than one effect on the phenotype than it was selected for, some genes absorbed will alter the appearance, sound or behaviour of a Dionae. For example, a gestalt that has absorbed a large number of genes from human genetic material will gradually and subconsciously begin to take on a more human physical structure, even incorporating some internal features, such as the creation of a neopharynx in a social nymph to more exactly create human sound. Genetic mimicry is a much slower process that is often involuntary but is often more exact, less disconcerting and convincing to the mimicked species. Genetic mimicry requires a substantial amount of genetic material to have any impact and also requires the mimicked structures to have been consumed by the gestalt. A neopharynx for more perfect human sound replication cannot form without having consumed the pharynx structures of a human to provide the Dionae’s assimilation complex the physical context any absorbed genes will act upon.

Types of Mimicking

Parasitic Mutualism

Parasitic mutualism refers to a close relationship between a Dionae and an elected host of which it mimics, usually using environmental mimicry and safe, voluntary genetic mimicry. Seen in the Conglomerate Choir of Nralakk in which the Dionae took on the appearance and acoustic elements of the Skrell to better harmonize with the species and the values that they stood for, in addition to the Dionae present across the Izweski Hegemony that oftentimes replicate elements of Unathi. Though the name conveys a rather pessimistic connotation, it is largely seen as a benefit, where the Dionae do not need to undergo the process of extended assimilation as seen in other species that may be introduced to another alien society – speeding the process up quite significantly too, which many across the Spur see as a boon rather than the typical disadvantage of a parasite.

Competitive Masquerading

Competitive masquerading is a more defensive approach to mimicry seen in Dionae, with the most significant example being the Pests of Titan Prime. In contrast to parasitic mutualism, it typically does not have any benefit to the host of the Dionae and can often be harmful if more malicious environmental mimicry is used or the Dionae prey on the host species to harvest material for genetic mimicry. The Pests of Titan Prime often had to replicate the behaviour of their captors in order for their continued survival, where the goal was never integration. Competitive masquerading is still undergoing substantial study for better understanding, with research being led by the Zo’rane as they offer reparations for the damage done to the Dionae that they had mistakenly carried with them for over half a millennia.

Evolution and Reproduction

Evolution

Evolution works very differently in Dionae compared to other species; at the time scale that Dionae work with, making small, naturally selected adaptations that get passed onto offspring is infeasible for the species’ evolution, and a thing of Dionae past. Instead, Dionae evolved, in addition to their fascinating means of altering their own genome to a degree, a means of quickly sharing genes without the need to reproduce, as well as quickly encoding learned behaviours into a gene.

When merged together, interconnected nymphs are capable of bridging their neural and genetic assimilatory systems. In addition to allowing the formation of certain mindtypes and gestalt structures to share information and cognitive processes, connected nymphs can freely share genetic memory cells – the cells containing the blueprints of genes previously learned by a Dionae. This allows Dionae to share genes deemed beneficial with other Dionae. Dionae are also capable of encoding learned behaviours into a gene which has an effect on another Dionae’s neural system, essentially creating a small blueprint that lays the foundation for another Dionae to learn a beneficial skill or behave a certain way. Combined with the ability of neural translation, a Dionae can encode memories or behaviours learned from another creature’s neural structure to pass on. As above, the memory cells containing the blueprint for this gene can then be shared with another merged nymph, allowing a beneficial skill or behaviour to propagate to other Dionae.

Due to the potential harm of bridging genetic assimilatory systems, as a merged Dionae could choose to send memory cells containing harmful genes or even viruses, some nymphs elect to avoid bridging assimilatory systems in most cases. This leads to the classification of Selfish and Selfless Nymphs, where Selfish Nymphs hoard beneficial genes for themself and refuse to bridge with other nymphs to share genes, whether due to risk of harm or personality and where Selfless Nymphs are open to bridging assimilatory networks for the purpose of propagating beneficial genes among the Dionae species. An unofficial third classification is the Self-Destructive Nymph, a term for a Dionae that shares harmful genes that negatively impact the evolution of another Dionae and its offspring.

Reproduction

Reproduction remains important for the Dionae species and remains a means in which to propagate genes to offspring who may then go on to further propagate a gene, whether through the above process by sharing genes with other Dionae or by going on to have their own offspring. For a Dionae to reproduce, they must first sacrifice one of their nymphs which will become the Seeding Nymph from which biomass will form a seed pod and other nymphs will grow. The choice to sacrifice a nymph alone is a large one, due to the memories and personality that will be lost with them, however, this nymph will contain all of the genes and ideally all of the genetic memory cells that will be passed on to the next nymphs that will grow within the seed pod.

Seeding pods are very fragile and must be formed in a safe area that is habitable by the reproducing gestalt and that has enough ambient radiation. A lot of care goes into locating a suitable area for a seeding nymph to create a seed pod, then ensuring it remains safe, with the reproducing gestalt either remaining near or paying visits until the seed pod has matured, which can take anywhere between one and one-hundred years. Once matured, the seeding pod will disgorge one fledgling nymph with all of the inherited genetic material every one to ten years, up until the seed pod expires after disgorging the tenth to twelfth nymph.

Physiology

Radiotrophy

It is a common misconception that Dionae are photosynthetic. Rather, they possess a radiotrophic factor that is beyond the efficiency of what be achieved through conventional science and most understood biology. Radiotrophy, a trait commonly found in fungal xenofauna, usually requires wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum high enough to qualify as an alpha or greater particle waves: In order for cellular energy to be generated, radiation is needed. Compared to xenofauna with similar traits, Dionae possess radiotrophy so acute that it can generate cellular energy from wavelengths lower on the electromagnetic spectrum, up to visible light. This unique method of metabolizing energy, according to theory, put evolutionary pressures on Dionae to evolve the ability to search and detect wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, which led to the ability to communicate via it, culminating in the unique linguistic dialect of rootsong, and giving Dionae the ability to communicate over long distances, albeit with delays depending on surrounding conditions. Dionae occasionally require sustenance to replace cell death, reproduce, grow larger, and create biomass for use. For gestalt collectives, this is done by forming an enlarged food vacuole made out of biomass around the item after the gestalt intakes it. As the item is broken down via enzymes, the resulting nutrients are transported to the closest nymphs and then distributed across the entire nymph-mycelium complex for further processing. Individual nymphs use a sharp, extendable proboscis to feed, and gestalt collectives may also choose to feed on small things in the same manner as well. Dionae are capable of digesting almost anything, however dietary preferences are skewed towards variety in the elemental or mineral composition of the item, and sheer caloric intake: a typical gestalt would find a depleted bar of tritium fuel more appetizing than a candy bar, as an example.

Genetic harvest efficiency

When a Dionae harvests an individual, the knowledge or genetic information acquired is highly variable, depending on the parts ingested, the state they were in, and the quantity. Blood is considered the safest and least invasive method of harvest. However, it is the most inefficient, often requiring steady transfusions over a long period of time to internalize anything meaningful long-term. In practical settings, blood is used quickly to utilize technical information or skills over a short period of time, or recreationally, as the blood of those under the effects of narcotics or other drugs will transfer a proxy high to the gestalt.

From here, learning efficiency based on tissue samples is as follows, in order from least efficiency to most:

• Blood samples
• Flesh and tissue samples
• Organ tissue samples
• Bone marrow
• Dead nerve tissue samples
• Spinal fluid
• Active nerve tissue
• Brain matter

As more efficient samples are used, however, the mental and psychosomatic strain put on the gestalt increases. Depending on the freshness of the harvest, the Dionae in question will re-experience pain receptors of the sample firing off as it’s dissolving in a digestion vacuole. For sapient or intelligent species, this also can mean reliving the experience of dying, depending on the freshness of the harvest. Too many of these kinds of harvests will often reduce a gestalt to a voided vocals mindtype. Accounts from mourning mass Dionae describe a full body harvest as “dying a second time.” For these reasons, Dionae that have to process meat for sustenance must fully drain and cook their choice of meal until it is well done. Dry-aged meats and other forms of preservation tend to be popular as well.

Biomass

Biomass is special tissue in gestalts that nymphs are capable of producing and manipulating. It is capable of converting back and forth between specialised tissue into undifferentiated cells, not unlike that of many types of terrestrial invertebrates. Ordinarily, biomass forms the soft tissue between nymph and mycelium connections, storing calories and softening impacts on behalf of the gestalt. However, biomass is also used to create a wide variety of organic constructs, from specialised organelles or appendages for the gestalt to building materials and even weapons. What a gestalt can create is limited by accrued genetic information from harvests, techniques developed through experience or scientific study, and the individual gestalt’s imagination. No two gestalts understand the same biomass techniques and different communities of gestalts often develop biomass abilities adapted to their environment or living circumstances. The largest constraining variables on these constructs are the metabolic and caloric costs. A gestalt cannot deplete their biomass reserves too quickly without means to replenish them, or else they will begin to deplete the reserve soft tissue that cushions and protects the entire gestalt complex. Dionae that expend biomass too quickly become weak, brittle, and lethargic.