Shuttlebug

Shuttlebugs are a small, passive fauna species. They commonly populate caves, but can also be found in some surface areas, such as the Crag Field, Crash Zone, and Dunes. They are also found in abundance in the Sparse Reef.
==Appearance==
The Shuttlebug has three long flippers at the back end, with three legs in front surrounding a large eye. The sides of each flipper are adorned with a pattern which gives a bright orange bioluminescent glow.
==Behavior==
Shuttlebugs seem to have two states of behavior. Shuttlebugs found on the surface will swim around much like other small life forms, but Shuttlebugs found in caves appear to only swim in place. Occasionally, Shuttlebugs will accidentally leave the caves they are in.
==Data Bank Entry==
A common scavenger at the base of the food chain.
1. Mouth Parts:
Small enough to be of little threat to most organisms, this creature is clearly adapted to feed on the waste products of the ecosystem around it.
2. Three Mandibles:
Used to orient themselves when drifting, and to filter through detritus on cave floors.
3. Three Legs:
High strength muscles can propel the lifeform great distances through the water, as well as ambulating them across the sea floor.
Assessment: Necessary waste recycler - Presence may indicate nearby cave systems
==Gallery==
<tabber>
Screenshots=
ShuttlebugA.jpg|Front view
ShuttlebugB.jpg|Side profile
ShuttlebugC.jpg|Bioluminescence
Shuttlebug4.jpg|Size comparison to the player
Shuttlebugdusty.png|Shot of a Shuttlebug in the dust
|-|
Concept Art=
Jumper Concept Art.jpg|Concept art
Scuttle Crawler storyboard final.jpg 1000x1000.jpg|Animation concept art
Pat-presley-sn-alienseav2.jpg|"Alien Sea v1" Concept Art, featuring Shuttlebugs
</tabber>
==Trivia==
* In early development, they were also known as Shuttle Crawlers and Jumpers.https://trello.com/c/P4crHlwk/488-create-creature-portrait-card Dated March 3, 2014.
* The Shuttlebug's name may be a reference to the projectile in the sport badminton, called a "shuttle", which the Shuttlebug somewhat resembles.
* There is an early design document containing details on multiple unused Shuttlebug behaviors that show they were initially intended to be an intelligent and interactable specieshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit Dated Feb 10, 2014. 
* The Shuttlebug’s body plan is tri-radially symmetrical, a feature unique to the Shuttlebug on 4546B, and not seen on Earth since the Trilobozoans became extinct in the late Ediacaran period.
*The Shuttlebug was originally going to have an egg that could be found and hatched in alien containment. It was never made naturally obtainable for unknown reasons, but the model can be seen in the Primary Containment Facility’s egg room.
==References==
de:Paddelkäfer
es:Lanzadera
fr:Shuttlebug
ru:Прыгун
Category:Passive
Category:Bioluminescent
Category:Bulb Zone
Category:Bulb Zone Caves
Category:Cathemeral
Category:Crash Zone
Category:Crag Field
Category:Deep Sparse Reef
Category:Dunes
Category:Dunes Caves
Category:Fauna
Category:Kelp Forest Caves
Category:Grassy Plateaus Caves
Category:Mountains
Category:Mushroom Forest
Category:Mushroom Forest Caves
Category:Safe Shallows
Category:Safe Shallows Caves
Category:Scavengers and Parasites
Category:Sea Treader's Path
Category:Sea Treader's Tunnel Caves
Category:Sparse Reef
Category:Mountains Caves
Category:Primary Containment Facility