What if..... What if you made a bot, that could use a number of standard conspecs, and check each of them by 'spoofing' conspec returns , and use each one every now and again, monitoring which ones still work. Add in an extra function, this alga's conspec stealing gene, and check to see if the targetted bot A, passes most of the bot's remaining functional conspecs, and B, doesn't steal it's conspec. If the targeted bot steals the bot's conspec, it's an enemy. If it's an enemy, steal it's conspec and kill it. Use the conspec like a fake I.D. to run around unopposed. Imagine Seasnake with such a conspec system. It would destroy the IM in less than a day.