Lattice Colony (Disgustedorite)/Fauna

The fauna, or animal life, found on Lattice come in many shapes and sizes. Some of them may be seen as analogous to animals on Earth, though biologically they are very different.

Most currently extant species are unrelated to each other, due to shrinking ecosystems limiting what kinds of creatures could survive and evolve prior to Gem colonization. Further, the total number of extant species is very low for similar reasons.

Definition
All animals on Lattice have a few features in common which define them apart from animals native to other planets: The vast majority of animals on Lattice also do not have separate biological sexes. However, there are a few exceptions, and thus it isn't always considered a defining feature.
 * They have a gemstone or similar mineral-based object at the core of their being and a body made of crystallized light
 * They have a limited energy supply replenished by eating other life-forms native to Lattice, including plants and in some cases other animals
 * Their reproductive process always involves a seed being buried in the ground for some amount of time to incubate in the ground, apart from the parent(s)

Taxonomy
All life on Lattice is included under the Crystoviral domain of non-cellular life. The animals are all contained within the Holoanimatea kingdom, which is any crystalline life-form that projects a mobile or animated body made of light from its real body.

There are three known extant phylums of Holoanimatea, and the taxonomic listing will be organized accordingly.

Dummyforma
Dummyforma includes holoanimatea species that have set base forms, defined by a "mannequin" which is analogous to a skeleton.

(to be written)

Malleabela
Malleabela includes holoanimatea species that have soft, malleable forms with no defined shape.

(to be written)

Pebbleecha
Pebbleecha includes holoanimatea species characterized by their incredibly small overall size and by their parasitic nature. Their physical forms are limited to a tiny body on the underside of the gemstone, usually with tiny tentacle-like limbs extending from the sides.

(to be written)