Almoskulus

## Almoskulus caecorum

Status: CR-

Timespan: R.57 - Present

Habitat: Continental Slope (Mid Ocean), Shallow Sea

Distribution: Temperate and Polar Seas & Continental Slope down to 500m

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Nutritional Value:11.8

Size: 2.3cm

Predecessor: Argoskulus rubrumi

Classification: Almoskulusidae, Squickidea, Tubulosa

Latest Mutations: Eyes = 6, Fins = 5, Defense = 1

Info: Blank, white eyeballs hang off the edge of short, protruding eyestalks that stick out straight to the sides of the head. These are the most complex eyes on Ezta. This gives them much increased coverage in terms of sight, and can see pretty much all around them, although it comes at a fairly hefty nutritional price. In order to have eyes on stalks, Almoskulus caecorum evolved a white sclera to contain the compartments of the eye, and a vitreous humour to hold its shape. There eyes are blank looking because they have no iris or pupil to control the amount of the light that reaches them. Another adaptation of this animal is the emergence of a pair of pectoral fins, close to the head. This do not aid in swimming much, but rather can be used to walk quicker across the seafloor, where the spend most of their time. They also position the head upwards and improve filtration a little. This fins are short but sturdy and curve underneath. In a pinch, these fins can be used to spring upwards and utilise their membranes to glide. To avoid predators is even more crucial for this species, because their skin is especially weak and easy to cut. They thrive best on upper continental slopes, where light still reaches, but also are found commonly in open, relatively deep areas of shallow temperate and polar seas. Below the light level, their eyes becomes useless, and their weakness has no defence.

Description: The tubular body has a fleshy membrane running along the top and underside. Blank, white eyeballs hang off the edge of short, protruding eyestalks that stick out straight to the sides of the head. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth, as well as a pair of small tentacles, with three gill slits at the back of the head. This fins are short but sturdy and curve underneath the tubular body, which varies between red and transparent. At the front of its nervous system, is a tiny brain. Its mouth has a primitive gut leading straight to the anus. An open circulatory system bathes organs and muscles in hemacoel; this contains anti-freeze proteins to stop bodily fluids from freezing.

Previous Mutations: Muscles, Fleshy Membrane (along back and underside), Chemoreceptors, Basic Instincts, Three Gill Slits, Yellow Pigmentation (L), Dentine Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Pinhole Eye With Lens (one on top of head), Notochord, Anti-freeze Proteins, Slow Reactions, Red-Transparent Colour Shifting, Small Tentacles

Discoverer: Louix

## Almoskulus normacuta

Status: LC

Timespan: R.77 - Present

Habitat: Shallow Sea, Deep Ocean

Distribution: Temperate, Polar Seas & Deep Ocean

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Nutritional Value: 10.2NV

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Predecessor: Almoskulus caecorum

Classification: Almoskulusidae, Squickidea, Membrania

Latest Mutations: Fix Skin

Info: This took over from its predecessor Almoskulus caecorum in the Northern Hemisphere. It had tougher skin that did not rip so easily, but it is still not particularly tough. It lives in all parts of the ocean where it's eyes are useful, except for tropical. This means it lives from 500metres under the surface to the shallowest parts of the seas. It serenely poses on the seafloor, filtering falling marine snow for food.

Description: The tubular body has a fleshy membrane running along the top and underside. Blank, white eyeballs hang off the edge of short, protruding eyestalks that stick out straight to the sides of the head. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth, as well as a pair of small tentacles, with three gill slits at the back of the head. This fins are short but sturdy and curve underneath the tubular body, which varies between red and transparent. At the front of its nervous system, is a tiny brain. Its mouth has a primitive gut leading straight to the anus. An open circulatory system bathes organs and muscles in hemacoel; this contains anti-freeze proteins to stop bodily fluids from freezing.

Previous Mutations: Muscles, Fleshy Membrane (along back and underside), Chemoreceptors, Basic Instincts, Three Gill Slits, Dentine Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Pinhole Eye With Lens (one on top of head), Notochord, Anti-freeze Proteins, Red-Transparent Colour Shifting, Small Tentacles, Eyes, Fins

Discoverer: StealthStyle