Polysacculina

## General Overview

**Polysacculina**, also known as *Polysacculina Mutanis* is a parasitic entity endemic to **Orcus Prime** in the **Zeta Quadrant**. Originally classified as an illness by the **Megalodon Syndicate** which has been endemic for centuries on Orcus, attempts to study this form of parasite was not made until the mid **25th Century** where it was reclassified into a sapient species due to **Convergent Evolution**.

Polysacculina is a former of parasitic barnacle which exists on the ocean floor of Orcus Prime, near the **Garatan Trench**. Its effects on the Megalodon people, who mostly resided underwater on their world, led to Meglodon physicians creating the illness of "**Trench Madness"**, a somewhat incorrect analogy for the condition of Megalodon infected by Polysacculina.

## Pathology

Polysacculina is a small parasiticidal lifeform resembling a small barnacle which attaches itself to the host. Unlike most parasites, the Polysacculina has shown evidence of intelligence, able to move itself around the host's exterior, usually retreating to obscured places such as under the armpits or in the groin region. Once attached, the **Externa**, or visible part of the parasite which contains a small neural component similar to that of a brain will begin to establish a number of **Interna** within the host body.

These Interna are a serious of biological conduits similar to that of **Nerve Clusters** found in most humanoid species, which can exert some control over the muscles and nervous system of the host. Within a few days, the hosts original nervous system has been completely consumed by the Interna, allowing the parasite to establish full control over the hosts body. At this point, any attempt to medically remove the Externa will result in the death of the host.

Despite taking complete control of the nervous system, the Interna will not destroy the original brain of the host, instead showing signs of **Host Manipulation**, creating behavioural changes in the host to protect itself. The Externa will sometimes move its infection to the womb of a female host and release a series of hormones to make the infected individual to believe they are pregnant, resulting in an almost manic desire to protect the parasite at all costs so that the parasite itself can reproduce.

It is common that the parasite will manipulate hormone reactions in the brain, taking control of the brains ability to create hormones in order to manipulate behaviour. This can lead to the host becoming extremely enraged or attempting to manipulate others all to protect the parasite and allow it to spread its offspring to others. The parasite will also degenerate the natural genitalia of the host, leaving it functionally sterilized to prevent competition.

The parasite itself will also use the host in unusual ways, such as actively prevent research on the parasite from taking place when it discovers it, suggesting some level of sapient intelligence. This can make it difficult to discern infected hosts when a physical examination for the Externa is not possible.

## Zoonotic Shift

Despite this parasite being limited to the Megalodon Species, who have always euthanised members of their species found to be infected, Polysacculina has shown the ability to adapt itself to infect other species, even those from different worlds. The **Megalodon Faculty of Science** issued a disturbing report in 2452 which indicated that Polysacculina may even possess advanced intelligence, seeking to prioritise hosts from off-world so that it can spread itself further out into the galaxy.

It has also shown the ability to infect many lower species, such as fish and even birds from Orcus Prime.