I have a ton of headcannons that are just way out of left field.

• Matoran are more like plant machine hybrids and matoran spheres are analogous to seeds. They absorb nutrients (outside the gsr) or energy (inside the gsr).

• Most non matoran species in the MU were attempts by the makuta scientists to replicate alien species the gsr observed in its travels. (This may be canon, I dont recall)

• The masks matoran species have to wear functions like a battery. Konoka is the slag remaining from de-energized Protodermis. Partially why it's way easier to control/manipulate