Mantiswolf

Mantiswolf

The mantiswolf (Doryglossa Novispavo) is a large carnivorous Ambulospeculid native to a few of the islands south of Wallace 2´s largest continent. With a length of 4,2m (female) to 5,4m (male) it is the largest extant member of the Doryglossa family. It is easily distinguished from other members by its large display structures made up by its vestigial 4th pair of legs, which are greatly reduced in other species.
It is the top predator on almost all the islands it can be found on due to its size and lack of competition. It specializes in ambush hunting, using its powerful 2nd and 3rd pair of legs to drive itself quickly towards its prey to then impale it with its specialized proboscis.
Evolution
The mantiswolf and its relatives descend from a common ancestor called D. Eskilensis that split into the lineages that resulted in the extant species about 25 million years ago. D. Eskilensis had an omnivorous diet and lifestyle that was retained in a few descended species but was lost in D. Novispavo and its closest relatives in favour of a carnivorous diet.
The extant members of the Doryglossa family reside on the large islands south of the largest continent. They used to inhabit much the mainland but due to their specialized nature and competition from more adaptable rivals they have all but gone extinct on the mainland with only a few populations remaining.
Description
The mantiswolf is the largest member of the Doryglossa family. Males have an average length of 5,4m and an average mass of 620kg. Females have an average length of 4,2m and an average mass of 480kg. The main difference between the sexes are the rudders made up of the vestigial 4th pair of legs. These serve the purpose of directing wind while running at high speeds as well as slight gliding for infants, to help escape predators. For male specimens the flaps are much larger than for females and gain a lot of colourful hair-like filaments during the mating season rather than the typical pale brown during the rest of the year.
The head of the mantiswolf has convergently evolved with the gomphiobians, using modified armour to pierce prey items and to fight for dominance or mates. In addition to the two huge compound eyes there is a third eye between them. This eye allows for more focused vision straight ahead, aiding in hunting. Two armour plates have been adapted to be lowered in front of the compound eyes, protecting them from harm. Essentially functioning like eyelids for earth vertebrates.
The central proboscis has been adapted for hunting by a combination of a spring-load mechanism and the tip being formed into a spear-like weapon lined with small hooks. The three proboscises join up into one singular tube that continues into the digestive system. The first part of this tube can be seen outside the body with a row of small armour plates. This part can be expanded to either store food or to add an extra element of intimidation combined with the display structures.
Behaviour
D. Novispavo is a mostly sole hunter that is specialized in ambush hunting, often found hiding in dense vegetation impaling small game with its proboscis or pouncing larger prey. D.Novispavo acts like a large feline most of the time, preferring to relax than to constantly be on the hunt.
During the mating season the males gain the colourful filaments on their rudders. This does make hunting more difficult, but the mating season only lasts a short time. Letting air rapidly flow through their “lungs” while tensing them allows the males to create a loud growling sound that can be heard from 4km away. This is used to intimidate smaller males and to challenge equal size males, not only during the mating season. When two males meet, they will flash their huge rudders at each other to compare size. The smaller of the two will back away without a fight. If the two males are of equal size, they lower their “eyelids” and engage in shoving contest that often escalates to an all-out fight where one contestant is often badly injured or sometimes even killed. The winner gets to successfully mate.
When their young are born, the females take care of their offspring for about 3-4 weeks when the quickly developing infants are capable of fending for themselves. They are only 70cm long at that age but are just as terrifying to the small wildlife as the adults are.