PHASE 2
Generations of pioneer plants cause detritus to build up in and under the ice, which it often sprinkled with volcanic debris also. It seems these conditions allow more complex plants to appear, including poisonous varieties of Uckmites.
Patientspires (Immaculate) appear alongside slow-growing varieties of Uckmites under the gloomier parts of the ice surface. The hardened main body of an adult Patientspire is immune to attack by current predators, but together with Uckmites they help to form a sheltered habitat for larvae and small creatures. Some species have evolved retractable 'leaf' tissues that can disappear when nibbled upon. When the light becomes too weak, most species can hibernate for many decades of Earth-time.
Thzeerian (Kal'thzar) is a rarer plant, mostly found in more stable areas. From tips of its photosynthesising probes to its plankton-trapping roots, it can be many metres in length. But these plants require good access to plankton and nutrients. In most areas the simpler Thzarians continue to dominate the upper reaches of the ice. Meanwhile fast-growing varieties of Uckmites continue to dominate the underside of the ice in sunnier areas, despite being constantly nibbled upon.
The whole Protoauph branch of life continues to flourish, more so than any other. It now boasts
Gogmafina (GoodGame), a surprisingly sophisticated animal, a strong simmer, with something of a nervous system that has evolved in parallel to the Protodidae. Sexual reproduction is a very unusual feature, so far unique to this family, perhaps responsible for a leap in evolution. The greatest swarms are seen when it is time for mating. The most successful varieties are those that have abandoned chemosynthesis altogether, and now feed on single-celled plankton, which can be found at various places in the deep. Great swarms are to be found when the conditions of the ocean currents and deep-sea vents are favourable. But GoodGaminella remain more numerous overall, swarming among the ocean vents.
Some varities of Haeserauph become stronger swimmers and use poison to actively hunt for food. These prosper much more than their ancestors and form the new family of the
Superhaesrauph (Haeseri). Swimming slowly and surely through various depths, they are able to trap plankton and small creatures, including the larvae of their cousins. They have relatively simple bodies, but are the current masters of chemical warfare, using poisons for attack and defence. Symbiosis with bacteria is now used to create the lethal cocktails of toxins. Although not present in the same swarms of numbers, they are very widespread in the oceans.
The Trellinerch family becomes more diverse, with different specialist species effectively working together to support larger 'reefs', each species specialising in a certain kind of chemical reaction, benefiting from each other's waste products. As a result the volcanic spires become a more fertile resource for all kinds of life. The mobile larval stage of Trellinerch also becomes more sophisticated and tougher, some actually depending on explosive eruptions, riding with thermal currents to spread far and wide. These Trellinerch reefs now make up a larger chunk of the world's biomass, and provide food and/or shelter for a wide variety of life (ownership is now 50% Terrance888, 40% Lord Iggy, 10% Merciary).
Although Trellinerch are more numerous, they do not have a monopoly. The
Mernech species (Lord_Iggy) are larger and meaner offshoots that often bully and steal the best spots on the ocean floor. While still dependent on warm water near the vents, and mostly immobile in adult form, they gain most (or all) of their food from digesting passing creatures. They thrive best where the currents bring them deep-water plankton to trap and feed upon, although some species are becoming specialists in attacking neighbouring Trellinerch and draining them of nutrients, regularly 'harvesting' the area around themselves. In return Mernerch are generally harder-shelled and, with spiky tentacles, more dangerous for any predator to nibble on.
Paradids (NPC) are a branch of Huntdids, with small flexible bodies, that use a single, hard spike to drill right inside the bodies of Trellinerch (and sometimes Mernerch too) where they mostly live as parasites, taking their fill of nutrients, safe from the outside world. However, some of the more widespread species are not true parasites, as they digest what would otherwise be waste products, fight off other Paradids, and cause little harm to their host.
The Ogaevorzoa family of simple plant-eaters remains much the same, though some species are adapting to tolerate ever-higher amounts of radiation (ownership has shifted to: 50% 1stcitizen, 50% Abaddon). However there is growing pressure of predation from Shendaphere in particular, prompting the evolution of the
Sligaevore family (Abaddon). Extra sticky and slimy, some species are extra poisonous too, but most find adequate protection by covering themselves with bits of dirt and plant material. Their bodies have a true digestive tract, and grasping appendages that help them to tear off and absorb chunks of slippery plants from the underside of the ice, a diet consisting mostly of the simpler varieties of Uckmites. The limbs also provide a strong grip against any predator trying to pull them off the ice.
With some Shendaphere species being successful as omnivores near the ice surface, the new family of
Photopheres (Vertinari118) appears. Now with a true mouth and more sophisticated digestion, these animals copy the Ogaevorzoa's trick of absorbing photosynthesising organelles from the plants they eat, sustaining them in their own bodies for a while. Thus Photopheres are to be found drifting right below the ice, wherever the sunlight is strong enough, using paddle-like appendages to stay upright, while also trapping and eating any passing animal larvae. Although not very numerous overall, these animals are very widespread and diverse.
In terms of sheer sophistication, the Luminaphere (NPC) is only equalled by Gogmafina. Evolving from free-swimming varieties of Shendaphere, Luminapheres eat other animals exclusively, and have long trailing tentacles to sweep the water for bite-size prey, as well as provide extra propulsion. Their nervous system has become more sensitive, so the tentacles are more coordinated and quicker to react when prey is found. Finally, some species have also begun to make use of luminescent bacteria within their bodies, giving them a faint glow which may attract prey - such as the Ogaevorzoa, most of which have light-sensitive cells, and will associate any increase in light with more plant growth, and thus more food... Other varieties have longer and stronger tentacles to sweep through swarms of Gogmafina and GoodGaminella, enough prey to sustain large population of predators. Although lacking the poison ability of the Superhaesrauph, Luminapheres are the most effective hunters in open water at this time.
FAILED EVOLUTIONS: (sorry

)
Kimianite - not failed exactly, but doesn't yet stand out separate from the Uckmite family.
Citizena - unfortunately couldn't compete with its other omnivorous cousins, and swimming away from plant cover was more dangerous than not.
JellyOmega - electric shock is expensive in terms of metabolism, and unfortunately not that useful against slow opponents with simple nerve and muscle systems. It was unfortunately not a big enough improvement on the Huntdid's existing spikes.
MANA:
GoodGame has 2 (2 received this turn from Gogmafina and GoodGaminella)
Luckymoose has 2 (1 received this turn from Uckmites)
Haeseri has 1 (1 received this turn from Superhaesrauph)
Lord_Iggy has 2 (1 received this turn from Mernerch and Trellinerch)
Kal'thzar has 1 (1 received this turn from Thzeerian and Thzarian)