| abstract | - The zerg were native to Zerus, a hostile ash world near the core of the Milky Way. The first spawning pool on Zerus was the catalyst for the creation of the zerg. The pool split the genetic information ("essence") of the proto-zerg that entered it. The proto-zerg competed within; those that ate their counterparts evolved, and became the first zerg. The practice of evolution by consumption, and the principle of survival of the strongest, were fundamental to the zerg. The zerg were minature insectoids and the most insignificant lifeform on the planet. In this form they were discovered by Amon and his xel'naga, who were an ancient extra-galactic species who sought to manipulate the creations of their brethren in order to create host bodies that could end the Infinite Cycle. The Infinite Cycle merged two species, one with the purity of form and the other with the purity of essence, and would guide them to the xel'naga so they could impart their essence and live on, and Amon sought to create an army to exterminate all life to prevent the cycle from continuing. Amon and his followers previously imparted the purity of form on the protoss, and saw the zerg as ideal candidates for the purity of essence. From their orbiting worldships, the xel'naga spurred the zerg's evolution through proto-genetic manipulation. The zerg survived and thrived; they evolved into parasites, burrowing into more resilient creatures, feeding on nutrient-rich spinal fluids, and finally gained control of their hosts. Zerg biochemistry evolved by assimilating genetic information from host species. The zerg used their new bodies to manipulate their environment. Only the most evolutionarily advanced species were made hosts and assimilated; lesser species were eradicated. The zerg ensured they remained the dominant species at all times. The zerg steered the evolution of assimilated species, mutating them to have armor-piercing spines, razor-sharp limbs, and ultra dense carapaces. The xel'naga were shocked by the rate of mutation; within a few generations the first assimilated species were unrecognizable. The diverse zerg strains became a unified species.
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