Round 5a - “Death From Above”
What was once a safe haven for the proto-worms and its descendants has recently become a killing field. Not only have the local species begun to prey on each other, but larger, alien predators have arrived from distant areas on the crest of new currents. These sorts of species were killed out by the massive extinction in the area but finally starting to make a comeback.
Regemsitula is a large, jellyfish-like animal, with the largest reaching a diameter of around 1cm. It is very simple, but an effective predator. When it senses movement on the sea-bed, it descends upon its unsuspecting prey and snatches it with barbed tentacles. The teeth like barbs slice the animal into digestible pieces, which Regemsitula then inhales into its mouth.
This area finally has an apex predator, and on the bright side this makes the ecosystem more stable. The ocean-going and shallow sea inhabitants are not immune from these new predators, but the worms of the ocean floor are the most vulnerable.
(We finally have predators! Woo hoo! I will post the action round soon. Thanks to Atrox for making the art, which is coming soon. Also, I would appreciate it you could try being more specific about your votes. For example, when voting for fins you could tell me how many you want and where etc.)
Squickia caecus (Squick)Atrox Improve Eyes = 1
Open Circulatory System = 3
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This is not a very successful species despite having a circulatory system. This system requires a lot more energy and it cannot find the food as well as
Squickia dente.Features: The pit eyes are depressed into cups in order to ascertain direction, but in this species the photoreceptors have become so depressed that the photoreceptors can only detect light from one, very limited direction. An open circulatory system has developed with muscular vessels pumping hemacoel to body cavities surrounding tissue. Vessels run close to the gills in order to make the most of them.
Distribution: Shallow Sea
Status: EN
Time: R.5
Size: 1.5mm (length)
Lifestyle: Filter-feeder
Predecessor: Squickia dente
Past Mutations:Muscles, Membrane, Pit Eyes, Chemoreceptors, Intuitive Memory, Gills (6), Yellow, (Needle-like) Teeth
Viitria ventri (Viitria)TheGraveKnight Mucus Lining In Stomach = 6
Stomach Acid = 4
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Now large enough to eat the smallest of its relatives, the
Squickia, this species simply swallows them whole. In many cases, the
Squickia do not realise what is happening before it is too late. They are digested alive. At night, Superstes ventri are not able to feed as most of their prey disappears. On the other hand, the predatory worm finds itself as prey to a couple of other species, but has developed a small defensive mechanism; mucous spitting.
Features: This species has developed quite an advanced stomach, whereas most species still just have intestinal bacteria or agent-filled chamber, Superstes ventri has a true stomach. It is able to break down food chemically with its gastric juices, which are also able prevent certain malicious bacteria from infecting the animal. A mucous lining around the stomach provides further protection. Mucous glands in the throat are able to spit mucous out of the mouth.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: VU
Time: R.5
Size: 3mm (length)
Lifestyle: Small Predator
Predecessor: Superstes ustis
Past Mutations:Muscles (I), Pit Eyes, Axochord, Open Circulatory System, Bigger (30%), Axochord
Superstes provectus (Grohkius Speedius)RoboTrannic Improved Muscles = 3
Improve Eyes = 6
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With relatively advanced eyes on the top of its head, this species does a good job of avoiding predators. It is therefore quite a common species, happily minding its own business on the sea-floor. Its competitors have mainly been weeded-out, so it enjoys its occupation of this niche.
Features: In most species of the area, the muscles are arranged quite haphazardly, although roughly longitudinally. However, in this species they have been reorganised for the most efficiency. What’s more, the eyes of this species have come even more like a pinhole camera, as the opening is narrowed. Instead of just blurs, it is able to make out shapes, though still with poor resolution and dim imaging, and is able to distinguish species combined with its memory.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: LC
Time: R.5
Size: 2.3mm (length)
Lifestyle: Filter-feeder
Predecessor: Superstes labes
Past Mutations:Muscles, Open Circulatory System, Axochord, Pseudo-hearts, Eyespots, Memory
Quatora occultatum (Oduntus)aviscerator Improved Eyes = 5
Camouflage Skin = 3
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This species relies simply on its mossy-green colour to shield it from the predators that now patrol the waters. However, the predators do not really use vision to locate their prey so this is not a huge help. It's eyes do help to detect if another species comes to close, and also makes finding moss easier.
Features: This is another species that has developed a pinhole eye, and so it is poorly able to make out shapes. It also has chromatophore cells on the surface containing a green pigment.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: VU
Time: R.5
Size: 2.1mm (length)
Lifestyle: Herbivore
Predecessor: Quatora rursus
Past Mutations:Muscles (I), Digestive System (Gizzard & Bacteria), Pit Eyes, Chisel Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Fins, Axochord
Quatora similis (Oduntus)agenttine Improved Eyes = 6
Improved Nervous System = 5
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Quatora occultatum and
Quatora similis share very similar lives, except
Quatora similis has a slightly easier time recognising predators and so gets away quicker.
Features: This is yet another species that has evolved pinhole eyes via the narrowing of the eye opening. This allows the species to see shapes. It has also developed a simple memory, so can recognise species to avoid.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: NT
Time: R.5
Size: 2.1mm (length)
Lifestyle: Herbivore
Predecessor: Quatora rursus
Past MutationsMuscles (I), Digestive System (Gizzard & Bacteria), Pit Eyes, Chisel Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Fins, Axochord
Tyranna caultrifauciusImmortal_Dragon Teeth = 2
Gills = 4
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This species has plenty of room and food in its habitat and so it does well by that account. The only problem is that they often find themselves as a snack for the
Regemsitula. On the other hand, these predations do not threaten the stability of this population.
Features: This species has evolved calcified masses of dentine teeth, although they are located inside the throat of the species. They cannot be used for any external purpose but they would have slice up tougher food. It also has four gills on each side of its body that increase its surface area and get more oxygen pumping through the open circulatory system.
Distribution: Ocean Floor, Open Ocean
Status: NT
Time: R.5
Size: 2.3mm (length)
Lifestyle: Filter-feeder
Predecessor: Tyranna comedenti
Past Mutations:Muscles, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Tail, Axochord, Digestive System (Intestinal Bacteria & gizzard)
Rostros acris (Niv)Trash Beak = 6
Digestive System = 4
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Another brutal killer of worms, unlike the specialised
Viitria, Rostros acris will prey on anything with flesh. When it detects prey, it quickly propels itself with its flippers with enough force for its sharp beak to penetrate weak skin. It pulls a chunk out of the animal, and eats it. It is quite small, so one chunk is often enough, although the victim is often left to bleed to death. It's only predator is
Regemsitula.
Features: A calcified protrusion on the tip of the proboscis became a hardened beak, which continued to grow until it became very sharp. Both the top and bottom section are long, and sharp enough to pierce a worm’s skin. It has also picked up bacteria in the intestine which can absorb the nutrients from simple multicellular food, although it can’t deal with large chunks.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: LC
Time: R.5
Size: 1.9mm (length)
Lifestyle: Small Predator
Predecessor: Nivia natare
Past Mutations:Bitter Chemical, Chemoreceptors, Proboscis, Hydrostatic Flippers
Orthus Talonus (Orthus Talonus)soundwave Fins = 2
Notochord = 4
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This is the first known chordate. Due to the position of its fins, the head of
Orthus Talonus is pushed downward, so it generally filters along the sea-floor, rather than the open ocean. As it has an efficient muscular frame, it is a quick swimmer and manages to live well, unless it's being preyed on.
Features: Two fleshy fins on either side of the rear keep the head of
Orthus Talonus pushed down. The axochord muscles stiffened until they became a cartilaginous rod, known as a notochord, running down the length of the animal. The notochord provides a place for muscle attachment, causing easier movement. Although the notochord is stiffer and tougher than what the rest of the contemporary species have, it is still fairly flexible.
Distribution: Ocean Floor
Status: VU
Time: R.5
Size: 2.6mm (length)
Lifestyle: Filter-feeder
Predecessor: Tyranna musculi
Past Mutations:Muscles, Electroreceptors, Open Circulatory System, Tail, Axochord, Gills (3), Muscle Placement