ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA Edition 428193 - Earth English Definition: 'Electromotive Ecology' A language English1 scientific expression characterizing biospheres where the primary vector of energy ingress is electromagnetic induction. Such environments are exposed to intense and fluxuating magnetic fields as found in the vicinity of a magnetar2 or in close orbit with a P-dwarf.3 Lifeforms are metallic in nature and consume both electric charge and current as nutrient. Energy is either harvested from the ambient magnetic flux or consumed from other members in the local sustenance chain. Within such ecologies, life is dependent upon group eight (VIII) transition elements - iron (Fe) and copper (Cu).4 For such materials be plentiful on or near the surface of a nurturing body such planets will be high density, 6-8 g/cm3. But must also low in mass, 0.5-2x1021 kg, (on the order of Ariel) to prevent stratification that forces heavy elements into the core. Low gravity also compensates for the weight and structural fragility of some native lifeforms. The consequence is a small planetary diameter - 1050-2660 km.5 Physically electromotive organisms are 50-80% metallic, with lighter elements, silicon (Si), carbon (C), etc. additions to their biology. Sometimes nucleotide chemistry develops for heredity encoding.7 But, in form, electromotive organisms are crystalline and develop in the same manner. At the molecular scale these crystals are described as naturally occurring nanites6 - micro machines, like viruses - replication occurring through a form of lattice mitosis stimulated by collected static electricity from the environment. Mesoscale organisms often manifest numerous radiating antenna-like structures in the form of spires, struts or batons. Such appendages are sized to tune maximum absorption of the magnetic flux generating electric current within the organism. Life of higher complexity is often collectivized8 to compensate for greater individual fragility and consume energy from other resident organisms rather than harvesting from the flux themselves. But unlike other ecologies, physical consumption is replaced by inductive transference through direct or near contact with flux harvesting life. This is also how collective organisms share resources and bind to the greater whole. Within the confines of the Milky Way Galaxy, there is no evidence of a technical civilization evolving from an electromotive ecology. However, the historical records of Civilization Gardener report that one exists within the Pin Wheel Galaxy (M101).9 As with other examples of such ecologies, this civilization is a collective containing only 8861 identifiable individuals at time of last contact 3017 years ago. Such ecologies are often bereft of a bright central star and are consequently labeled "dark worlds" or by similar translations. This title is often inaccurate. Local light is generated by the same magnetic flux that supports the biosphere. Excited atmospheric molecules release energy in the form of light similar to a planetary aurora. Flux may also induce surface materials and resident lifeforms to glow. Additional light may come from nearby bodies such as a parent P-dwarf. Not darkness, though light levels are less than 5% of a photoconsumption ecology.10 Notes: EGO: Encyclopedia Galactica Object See references: 1Civilization Humanity: Linguistic Types 2Definition: 'Magnetar' 3Definition: 'Purple Dwarf' 4Periodic Table Of The Elements 5Civilization Humanity: Scientific Standards 6Civilization Humanity: Molecular Scale Technologies 7Biochemical Data And Heredity Recording Media: Varieties 8Definition: 'Collective Organism' 9Civilization Gardener: History 10Definition: 'Photoconsumption Ecology'