“What looks like a sea is actually a vast colony, a matrix symbiotic life-forms.”
- ― Alien Planet's narrator, on Ike's flyover of the Amoebic Sea
The Amoebic Sea covers around 5% of Darwin IV's surface. It is made up of a massive group of single-celled organisms. It holds the remaining water from Darwin IV's long-departed sea.
Environment[]
All oceans on Darwin IV evaporated millions of years ago, leaving behind massive Salt spirals and dead coral. As such, the Amoebic Sea is the largest body of 'liquid' on Darwin IV, and serves as the planet's only major ocean. Many creatures live on the shores of the Amoebic Sea. The sea appears to lay on a flat, mainly unobstructed plain, most likely on the seabed of Darwin IV's former sea. Aside from a rock in which Ike hid within, the amoebic sea reaches indefinitely with no other observable landmarks.
Story[]
Alien Planet (Movie)[]
Ike discovers the Amoebic Sea
Day 149 []
The Amoebic Sea first appears on Ike's journey to find the unresponsive Leo. After flying through a graveyard of Salt spires left from Darwin IV's former oceans, Ike comes upon the "Waves" of the Amoebic Sea. Upon discovery, he flies closer to the surface and extends a clawed arm fitted with a blunt tool. Unable to puncture the surface of the sea, he stows the arm and proceeds at a higher altitude.
He flies over the purple sea in order to reach Leo but maintains his purpose to observe the planet's surface and life forms. As he edges in closer to the surface, the sea releases multiple rectangular arms that grasp at Ike to no avail. He then is able to observe the predatory habits of the sea.
Ike follows Emperor Sea Striders over the sea
Day 150[]
During Ike's voyage, he is bombarded by a mineral storm. He finds refuge within a solitary rock sticking out from the sea. He extends his tendril-like grasping arms and pulls himself closer to the rock in an effort to protect himself from the volatile barrage. During the storm, Ike's sensors detect the largest creature on Darwin IV, the Emperor Sea Strider. From his perch, Ike realizes that the Emperor Sea Striders may be feeding on the Amoebic Sea and pulling chunks of it into their bulbous feet.
As the storm ends, Ike continues towards Leo, coincidentally following the same path as the Emperor Sea Striders. Their predatory behavior becomes present towards the Sea Strider Nymphs who are caught by the sea's extended tube arms. Ike leaves the pair of Emperor Sea Striders and the Amoebic Sea to move to the foothills.
Interactions with other wildlife[]
Predators[]
Adult Emperor sea strider may feed on the Amoebic Sea, using mouths on the bottom of their feet to skim the surface and eat the sea's abundant microbial liquid. Emperor Sea Striders appear to live their entire lives on the Amoebic Sea, possibly including reproducing. Diskflyers, Stripewings, and Sac-backs also feed on the sea.
The Amoebic Sea attempts to feed on Ike
Prey[]
The sea itself also eats the young of the emperor sea strider. On an occasion, it attempted to feed on Ike as he observed its behavior.
Trivia[]
- The Amoeba, a microscopic life form in real life, behaves similarly to the Amoebic Sea. During feeding the Amoeba uses its body to trap and consume food. Although the Amoebic Sea is not likely composed of Amoebas, they may have been an inspiration.