chimaeroids

Chimaeroids are a proposed class of hypothetical organisms that would exhibit characteristics of both animals and plants. The term itself is derived from "chimeras," mythical creatures composed of parts from different animals, and "oids," meaning "resembling." The concept suggests that such organisms could potentially harness energy through photosynthesis, like plants, while also possessing the mobility and heterotrophic feeding behaviors typical of animals.

The biological feasibility of chimaeroids is a subject of scientific speculation. While some organisms, like certain sea slugs, can incorporate chloroplasts from algae they consume and utilize them for photosynthesis, this is generally considered kleptoplasty rather than true chimaeroidy, as the photosynthetic machinery is not a permanent, integrated part of the slug's own cellular structure. True chimaeroids would require a fundamental genetic and cellular integration of photosynthetic capabilities into an animal-like body plan.

Potential mechanisms for the evolution of chimaeroids are largely theoretical. One possibility involves symbiotic relationships evolving to an extreme degree, where the photosynthetic partner becomes an indispensable, integral organelle or tissue within the host organism. Another avenue could involve horizontal gene transfer on a massive scale, allowing animal cells to acquire and effectively utilize genes responsible for photosynthesis. Currently, there is no direct evidence for the existence of chimaeroids in nature, and their biological realization would represent a significant departure from known life forms.