Eovinj/Ecology

Overview**Ecology**

		- **Eo-Temnospondyli** are a clade of Eovinjic amphibians which possess velvety or scaled skin and predominantly live on land (though some have returned to marine environments), with an aquatic larval stage. The Eovinjai belong to this clade.
		- **Eo-Lepospondyli** are a more "primitive" clad of Eovinjic amphibians which have thin, porous skin and are all aquatic or semi-aquatic in their adult lives.
	+ **Eo-Reptilia.**

## Apex Predators

### Leviagons

**Leviagons** are the largest predators on Eovinj. A cosmopolitan group of mighty marine reptiles, all species have a double-hinged jaw of continuously replenished teeth, a short neck, and streamlined body. They are predominantly ambush predators, lurking among reefs and seabeds before pouncing. Many have evolved to superficially resemble the rock, coral, and seagrass around them, and often allow themselves to become encrusted with barnacles.

### Supermantids

**Supermantids** are a family of large, carnivorous insects which can be found throughout Eovinj's south-hemisphere islands. Distinguished by their prominent forelegs, which are generally not use for locomotion, powerful wings, and triangular heads, supermantids tend to be apex or near-apex predators in their respective ecosystems.

#### Crane mantis

 **Social Behavior** | Hunting pairs

The **crane mantis** is a large species of supermantid native to the savannas and scrubland of southern Matsutama. At 1.2 meters tall when mature, it is a terrestrial hunter, with long legs which allow it to run in rapid bursts of speed. The mantid's raptorial legs are sharp and muscular, allowing it to rapidly take down pursued prey.

Crane mantids will typically hunt small and moderate-sized prey, including snakes, lizards, and small or young antelopes. While capable of flight, they generally only do so to reach roosting spots in trees.

#### Kangsu fishing mantis

The **Kangsu fishing mantis** is a supermantid which typifies a widespread subfamily of fish-eating mantids, and is the largest example of them. Native to the shores of the Kangsu Gulf, it primarily preys on marine and littoral fish and shellfish. Its raptorial legs are built like barbed spears, operating on an extremely quick unfolding and striking reflex.

### Velvetitans

**Velvetitans**, more commonly known as **velvet wyrms** or **colossal velvet worms**, are an order of large, many-legged panarthropods with velvety-textured skin and a generally worm-like body plan. Most also bear a set of "oral papillae" which allow them to eject glue-like slime to immobilize prey. They belong to a much larger and more diverse group of panarthropods known as **velveteens**.

#### Velvetaconda

The **velvetaconda** is a species of velvet wyrm native to the undergrowth of the Miyakanhai rainforest. At 6-10 meters long, it is the largest velveteen species by both length and weight.

#### Hydra velveteen

The **hydra velveteen** is a semi-aquatic velvet wyrm native to the subtropical wetlands of Rajin. It is distinguished by a set of nine long, prehensile papillae from which it ejects its slime.

The hydra velveteen is a crepuscular ambush predator, lying low in bodies of water, its papillae resembling wetland plants. Upon sensing a viable target, it will rapidly unleash a deluge of its slime from several papillae at once, dragging the target underwater once it is immobilized.

## Midlevel Consumers

### Pterabites

**Pterabites** are an airborne temnospondyl species historically trained by Eovinjai as hunting companions. Many different breeds exist, and can be found across the planet. Due to Eovinj's moderately high gravity, they have extremely lightweight skeletons and large, muscular wings, and are among the few flying vertebrates native to the planet.

### Bownewts

**Bownewts** are a group of small lepospondyl amphibians distinguished by their wide, horned skulls, in many species giving them a bow or boomerang-shaped head.

### Leatherback slothzard

The **leatherback slothzard** is a large, insectivorous reptile species native to small inland savannas. Featuring a long snout and prehensile tongue, it and other **slothzards** feed almost exclusively on small terrestrial invertebrates.

The slothzard has a tough, leathery hide, as implied by its name, typically colored black with bright red and yellow dorsal stripes. Its feet are flat and circular, and it tends to be slow-moving except when startled or threatened.

Almost all slothzards are diurnal and solitary, and rely on a mix of warning coloration and a tough hide to ward off predation.

### Batfrog

The **batfrog** is a type of flight-capable lepospondyl amphibian found in dense temperate and tropical rainforests Eovinj. Its forelimbs are adapted to function as wings, with a thin membrane stretched between its fingers.