Masticephalus

## Masticephalus multiminimacrura

Status: NT

Timespan: R.106 - Present

Habitat: Temperate & Polar Deep Ocean, Tropical Deep Ocean (below the thermocline)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Predecessor: Pictolexipotus communus

Classification: Pictolexipotusidae, Parusolvida,
Tubalacea

Latest Mutations: More cilia, improved chemoreception, whip-tendrils

Info: This species is spread far and wide, and is a common sight in almost every part of the ocean except for tropical water. Masticephalus floats upright and effortlessly in the water column with its umbrella-like feature, and gathers microscopic food into its mouth as the particles sink. It is quite vulnerable to predation, but is slightly faster than its ancestors and has small, fairly weak tendrils that can be used to whip away predators.

Description: Hanging upright in the water, four membranes of flesh run down the yellow body, lined with thousands of tiny cilia. An umbrella-shape of jelly stretches out from the face, with a hole in the middle for the mouth, and four whip-like tendrils protruding from it. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth which has needle-like teeth. Six gill slits sit at the back of the head, one each side and a singular pinhole eye covered by a lens on one side. 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. Males and females appear identical.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus scintillamus

Status: NT

Temporal Range: R.114 - Present (Novaglacian)

Habitat: Tropical Deep Ocean (below the thermocline), Temperate Deep Ocean, Polar Deep Ocean (above 3000m)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus multiminimacrura

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, and can has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.
Latest Mutations: Bioluminescence
Info: Descending below the photic zone of the ocean into water where faint sunlight or no sunlight at all exists, periodic spots of blue light will pierce the gloom. Much of this is caused by this tiny pelagic filter-feeder, Masticephalus scintillamus, as it floats lazily and filters in passing marine snow. Like the rest of its subfamily, it is suspended by a jelly-umbrella with its mouth pointing up, fending off others with a tendril. It is very common.

Anatomy: Hanging upright in the water, four membranes of flesh run down the yellow body, lined with thousands of tiny cilia. An umbrella-shape of jelly stretches out from the face, with a hole in the middle for the mouth, and four whip-like tendrils protruding from it. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth which has needle-like teeth. Six gill slits sit at the back of the head, one each side and a singular pinhole eye covered by a lens on one side. The bottom tip of the body is covered in bioluminescent spots contains luciferin, lighting the tip in blue. 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. Males and females appear identical.
Behaviour: This species is capable of processing information gathered from sense receptors and using that to form a picture of its surroundings. It can then respond to stimuli. It also has basic reasoning.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus szcylaki

Status: LC

Temporal Range: R.140 - Present (Gammavian Stage of the Atroxian)

Habitat: Lower Ocean, 1500 - 3000m

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Predecessor: Masticephalus multiminimacrura

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Improved chemoreception, Keep In Touch

Info: In the lower depths of the ocean, this Masticephalus species drifts on its umbrella and filters marine snow into its mouth with tendrils. They keep in touch with each other chemically, so as to be able to find a mate easier.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed. They remain fairly close to each other.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus yorkei

Status: LC

Temporal Range: R.140 - Present (Gammavian Stage of the Atroxian)

Habitat: Lower Ocean (500 - 1500m)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus scintillamus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, and can has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Improve Chemoreceptors, Stay Together

Info: In the dark, these Masticephalus are reliant on their chemoreception to find food, which can now detect chemicals up to tens of metres away. They are also stay fairly close together, keeping in touch via their bioluminescent section at the bottom of the body.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed. They stay close to other members of the species.

External Features: It has a cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top, containing yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. Blue autogenic photophores dot the bottom part of the body. It has a thin skin layer . A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around the mouth. It has tendrils and a single pinhole eye on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes and osmolytes. Six gill slits sit each side of head. Muscles line each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines leading to the anus. A brain encased in the head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, a notochord running alongside. Male gonads are found only in males and female gonads only in females. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus adalzus

Latest Mutations: Produce more young.

Masticephalus adalzus was a filter feeder, flowing through the surface ocean waters across all but the tropics. It has chemoreceptors on its barbels that further helped it find food. The Coliteuthis and Colodopodus species were better at filtering and took all the food.

Status: EX

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth: (8.8 x 2.3 =) 21NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 10NP / 17NP

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines, leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 2,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Castes/Phases: None.

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 1, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 2

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (fresh), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Cause of Extinction: Outcompeted.

Temporal Range: R.156 - R.157 (Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Northern Hemisphere

Predecessor: Masticephalus edentulus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Lifespan: 2 years.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus brownii

**Info**

Status: LC

Timespan: R.150 - R.157 (Nocturnus Stage of the the Oliverian)

Habitat: Tropical Shallows, Temperate Shallows, Tropical Upper Ocean, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Zooplankton

Size: 2mm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus planktosus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Pictolexipotusidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Violetamata (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Tropical Tolerance

Info: Masticephalus planktosus is so small that not only does it live its entire life as plankton but water is so viscous to it that they are held up without any effort. At this size, it also appears largely transparent. This makes it the first fully planktonic or minute bilaterate animal. Being this small has its advantages, such as needing very little food to get by; they eat microbial zooplankton. They are very common and can be considered to form the basis of the food web, being filtered by larger Masticephalus.
Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Cause of Extinction: Outcompeted.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

**Stats**

Nutritional Worth: (9 x 0.2 =) 2NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 1NP / 2NP

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 2, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 1.5

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (high, quite high salinity), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 1,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with small teeth (2NP, +1 Attack, -0.5 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

## Masticephalus communus

Latest Mutations: Produce more young.

Masticephalus sensitivus is a filter feeder, flowing through the surface ocean waters across all but the tropics. It has chemoreceptors on its barbels that further help it find food.

Status: LC

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth: (9 x 2.3 =) 21NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 10NP / 17NP

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines, leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 2,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Castes/Phases: None.

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 2, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 1.5

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (fresh), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with small teeth (2NP, +1 Attack, -0.5 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Temporal Range: R.156 - Present (Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Northern Hemisphere

Predecessor: Masticephalus sensitivus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Lifespan: 2 years.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus edentulus

**Info**

Status: NT

Timespan: R.134 - R.157 (Untrustolithic Stage of the Atroxian to Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Southern Hemisphere

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus sensitivus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Violymphia (c)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Remove teeth

Info: This is a very common animal throughout its range of the temperate southern ocean, being a small but numerous filter-feeder. They are almost everywhere. Unlike their predecessor, they have no teeth, which improves filter-feeding ability.

Anatomy: Hanging upright in the water, four membranes of flesh run down the yellow body, lined with thousands of tiny cilia. An umbrella-shape of jelly stretches out from the face, with a hole in the middle for the mouth, and four barbels with chemoreceptors protruding from it. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth. Six gill slits sit at the back of the head, one each side and a singular pinhole eye covered by a lens on one side. 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. Males and females appear identical.

Behaviour: This species is capable of processing information gathered from sense receptors and using that to form a picture of its surroundings. It can then respond to stimuli. It also has basic reasoning.

Cause of Extinction: Outcompeted.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

**Stats**

Nutritional Worth: (8.8 x 2.3 =) 21NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 10NP / 17NP

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 1, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 2

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (quite high), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (microbes), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 1,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

## Masticephalus lepusensis

Latest Mutations: Produce More Young

Masticephalus lepusensis is so small that not only does it live its entire life as plankton but water is so viscous to it that they are held up without any effort. At this size, it also appears largely transparent. M. lepusensis is notable for producing double the amount of young that its predecessors do. Being this small has its advantages, such as needing very little food to get by; they eat microbial zooplankton. They are very common and can be considered to form the basis of the food web, being filtered by larger Masticephalus.

Status: LC

Habitat: Tropical Shallows, Temperate Shallows, Tropical Upper Ocean, Temperate Upper Ocean

Niche: Zooplankton

Size: 2mm (length)

Nutritional Worth: (9 x 0.2 =) 2NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 1NP / 2NP

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines, leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 2,000 eggs.

Castes/Phases: Hermaphroditism.

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 2, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 1.5

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (high, quite high salinity), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with small teeth (2NP, +1 Attack, -0.5 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Timespan: R.156 - Present (Oliverian)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Predecessor: Masticephalus brownii

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Pictolexipotusidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Violetamata (c), Bilateria (p)

Lifespan: 1 - 2 years.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus recentibus

**Info**

Status: LC

Temporal Range: R.140 - Present (Gammavian Stage of the Atroxian)

Habitat: Tropical Rainforest, Savannah, Subtropical Desert, Chapparal, Temperate Forest

Distribution: Tartarus

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus edentulus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Violymphia (c)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Freshwater Tolerance

Info: Less than one million years ago, the freshwater of Ezta was patrolled by the Archaiapsarine, a subfamily of Thanostomids. Since the Gammavian Extinction however, a new diverse range of species has started moving in - Masticephalus being one of them. There is no competition here for filter-feeders, so they do well, although they are preyed upon by Diocibus, a Pensaspidusine.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A toothless mouth with chemoreceptors around it and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

**Stats**

Nutritional Worth: (8.8 x 2.3 =) 20NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 10NP / 16NP

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 1, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 2

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (fresh), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 1,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed. The female responds to the stimuli of producing eggs by embedding them in her tentacles and tucking the tentacles under her body.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

## Masticephalus planktosus

**Info**

Status: NT

Timespan: R.140 - R.157 (Gammavian Stage of the Atroxian to the Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Northern Hemisphere

Niche: Zooplankton

Size: 2mm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Masticephalus sensitivus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Smaller

Info: Masticephalus planktosus is so small that not only does it live its entire life as plankton but water is so viscous to it that they are held up without any effort. At this size, it also appears largely transparent. This makes it the first fully planktonic or minute bilaterate animal. Being this small has its advantages, such as needing very little food to get by; they eat microbial zooplankton. They are very common and can be considered to form the basis of the food web, being filtered by what are effectively alien forage fish like Edentulae.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: It has cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped top with yellow pigmentation and four fleshy membranes, each lined with thousands of cillia. It has a thin skin layer. A mouth contains small teeth with chemoreceptors around mouth and on surrounding tendrils, with a single pinhole eye.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits line each side of the head. Muscles run down each side of the body. The gastrointestinal tract from the mouth has a stomach with digestive juices followed by intestines leading to the anus. A brain encased in head connects to one nerve cord which branches into a network of nerves, with a notochord running alongside. It hosts male and female gonads. The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins. Protonephridia, connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

Cause of Extinction: Outcompeted.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

**Stats**

Nutritional Worth: (9 x 0.2 =) 2NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 1NP / 2NP

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 2, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 1.5

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (fresh), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 1,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with small teeth (2NP, +1 Attack, -0.5 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

## Masticephalus sensitivus

**Info**

Status: LC

Timespan: R.123 - R.157 (Novaglacian Stage of the Atroxian to the Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Northern Hemisphere

Niche: Pelagic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Pictolexipotus communus

Classification: Pictolexipotusine (sf), Squickidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Can sense chemicals from 10s of metres away, has acute chemical sensing, and has blurry eyesight in one direction with no depth perception.

Latest Mutations: Chemoreceptors on barbels

Info: Masticephalus sensitivus is a filter feeder, flowing through the surface ocean waters across all but the tropics. It has chemoreceptors on its barbels that further help it find food.

Description: Hanging upright in the water, four membranes of flesh run down the yellow body, lined with thousands of tiny cilia. An umbrella-shape of jelly stretches out from the face, with a hole in the middle for the mouth, and four barbels with chemoreceptors protruding from it. Chemoreceptors sit by the mouth which has needle-like teeth. Six gill slits sit at the back of the head, one each side and a singular pinhole eye covered by a lens on one side. 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. Males and females appear identical.

Cause of Extinction: Outcompeted.

Discoverer: StealthStyle

**Stats**

Nutritional Worth: (9 x 2.3 =) 21NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 10NP / 17NP

Physical Stats: Speed = 1.5, Stamina = 1, Stability = 1, Attack = 2, Strength = 1.5, Support = 1, UV Resistance = Weak, Filtration = 1.5

Systemic Stats: Osmoregulation = 1 (fresh), Respiration = 2 (cutaneous respiration, ram ventilation), Digestion = 2 (meat), Circulation = 1, Excretion = 1, Immune System = 1, Coordination = 1, Reflexes = 1.

Abilities: Permeable Skin. Below Freezing Metabolism. Fluid Freeze Prevention.

Perception: Blurry Sight. Detects chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Locomotion Type: Beat cillia. Suspension.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 1,000 eggs. Hermaphroditism.

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. It knows to eat and avoid being harmed.

External Features: Cylindrical body but with an umbrella-shaped (+Suspension) top with yellow pigmentation (3NP, +Weak UV Resistance) and four fleshy membranes (8NP, +1 Stability), each lined with thousands of cillia (4NP, +0.5 Speed). Thin skin layer (3NP, +1 Immune System, +1 Respiration, +Permeable Skin). A mouth (+1 Filtration) with small teeth (2NP, +1 Attack, -0.5 Filtration) and chemoreceptors (1NP, +2 Chemoreception) around mouth and on small tentacles (8NP, +1 Attack, +1 Filtration) and a single pinhole eye (2NP, +Blurry Sight) are on the head.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes (3NP, +Below Freezing Metabolism) in addition to enzymes. Six gill slits each side of head (8NP, +1 Respiration). Muscles on each side, attached to body wall (10NP, +1 Speed, +1 Strength, +0.5 Support). Gastrointestinal tract from mouth has stomach with digestive juices (4NP, +1 Digestion) followed by intestines (4NP, +1 Digestion) leading to exit. Brain (6NP, +1 Coordination) encased in head connects to one nerve cords which branch into network of nerves (8NP, +1 Reflexes). Notochord runs alongside (3NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Male and female gonads (6NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). The hemacoel cavity, open circulatory system (+1 Stamina, +1 Circulation) has violet blood containing hemerythrin and anti-freeze proteins (3NP, +Fluid Freeze Prevention). Protonephridia (4NP, +1 Excretion, +1 Osmoregulation), connected to hemacoel, expels waste through pores.

## Masticephalus soderqvistii

Latest Mutations: Lose teeth

Masticephalus soderqvistii is so small that not only does it live its entire life as plankton but water is so viscous to it that they are held up without any effort. At this size, it also appears largely transparent. M. soderqvistii is notable for producing double the amount of young that its predecessors do. Being this small has its advantages, such as needing very little food to get by; they eat microbial zooplankton. They are very common and can be considered to form the basis of the food web, being filtered by larger Masticephalus.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Tropical Shallows, Tropical Upper Ocean

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2.3cm (length)

Nutritional Need: (120NP/10) x (2.3/10) = 2NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: (2 x 0.6) x 0.9 = 1NP / (Larvae = x 0.9) 2NP

Abilities: Anti-Freeze. Barrier Immune System. Circulation. Cutaneous Respiration. Liquid Excretion. Moderate UV Resistance. Permeable Skin. Solid Excretion.

Perception: Blurry Vision (one side). Chemoreception 2 (Senses chemicals 5m away). Light Detection (opposite side to Blurry Sight).

Stats: Coordination 1. Digestion 2 (can break down multicellular matter, 10% off). Filtration 2. Intelligence 1. Respiration 2. Stability 1. Stamina 3. Strength 1. Support 1. Swim Speed 1.5. Walk Speed 0.5

Intelligence / Behaviour: Processes information and responds based on fixed behaviours. When observing a predator; swim away. When hungry; sense for food. When ready to reproduce, sense for other adults and move towards them, then attempt to mate with the source.

External Features: The soft skin of the cylindrical body is covered in yellow pigments. The mouth has eight cirri with chemoreceptors. On one side of the body is a pinhole eye, on the other an eyespot. An umbrella-shaped lobe surrounds the head and four membranous lobes running down the body have cillia on them.

Internal Features: Behind the head are six gill slits. An open circulatory system carries fluid across the body, and anti-freeze glycoproteins travel in the fluid. There is also a nephridium and muscles lay longitudinally along the body. A tube from the mouth meets the intestines, which leads to the anus. A brain in the head is connected to the nerve cord with branches of nerves, with a notochord running along side it. A testes and an ova can be found.

Reproduction: Sexual, Ovuliparity (External Fertilisation). 2,000 eggs.

Castes/Phases: None.

Locomotion: Suspension, Cilliated Rowing. Active (20NP).

External Features: Blue pigments (2NP, Moderate UV Resistance). Skin (3NP, Permeable Skin, Cutaneous Respiration, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Barrier Immune System). Mouth (+1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (6NP, +Blurry Vision). Eyespot (2NP, +Light Detection). Cirri (4NP, +1 Filtration). Umbrella lobe (2NP, +Suspension), Membranes (2NP, +1 Stability), Cillia (2NP, +1 Swim Speed).

Internal Features: Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina). Open Circulatory System (6NP, +Circulation, +1 Stamina). Anti-Freeze (2NP, +Anti-Freeze). Nephridium (7NP, + Liquid Excretion). Longitudinal Muscles (3NP, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength, Allows Crawling). Stomach (10NP, +1 Digestion, +Can Break Down Multicellular Matter). Intestines (7NP, +1 Digestion, +Solid Excretion). Brain and nerve network (22NP, +1 Coordination, +1 Intelligence). Notochord (4NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength). Testes (5NP). Ova (5NP).

Temporal Range: R.175 - Present (Nocturnus Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Uteenessa Ocean

Lifespan: 1 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus lepusensis

Classification: Pictolexipotusinae (sf), Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus bathyus

Latest Mutations: Lose Teeth, High Pressure Metabolism, Low Salinity

Masticephalus soderqvistii is so small that not only does it live its entire life as plankton but water is so viscous to it that they are held up without any effort. At this size, it also appears largely transparent. M. soderqvistii is notable for producing double the amount of young that its predecessors do. Being this small has its advantages, such as needing very little food to get by; they eat microbial zooplankton. They are very common and can be considered to form the basis of the food web, being filtered by larger Masticephalus.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Deep Ocean

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 2mm (length)

Nutritional Need: 136 x 0.2/100 = 0.3NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 0.3 x 0.25 = 0.08NP per round (Needs to intake 0.08/0.7 = 0.1NP per round)/ 0.3NP

Abilities: Anti-Freeze. Subzero Metabolism.

Perception: Chemoreception 2 (5m from mouth). Sight 1 (Blurry Images to the side). Light Sensing (To the side).

Stats: Coordination 2. Digestion 2. Filtration 2. Immunity 1 (Barrier Immunity). Liquid Excretion 1. Respiration 1 (Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, Only Works Underwater). Solid Excretion 1. Stamina 1 (Small Body). Support 1.5. Strength 0.5. Swim Speed 0.5. Swim Stability 1. UV Resistance 2.

Intelligence / Behaviour:

External Features: Within the skin of the cylindrical body, there are yellow pigments. At the front of the body, cirri with chemoreceptors extend past the mouth with teeth. A jelly-filled dome rings around the front like a collar. Behind the head are three gill slits and on one side a pinhole eye and on the other an eyespot. Four membranes that host cilia run longitudinally down the body.

Internal Features: Cells contain lysozymes and anti-freeze substances flow through the open circulatory system of the body. Close to the outer wall are found the gonads and the nephridium. It has a musculoskeletal system. Further inside the body is a stomach, which leads to intestines. The ganglion join the nerve cord, which is protected by a notochord.

Reproduction: Sexual. 1,000 eggs per spawning. External Fertilisation.

Castes/Phases: Hermaphrodites.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Ciliated Paddling. Suspension.

External Features: Skin (3NP, +1 Immunity, +Barrier Immunity, +Cutaneous Respiration). Blue Pigments (2NP, +2 UV Resistance). Cirri (7NP, +1 Filtration). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Jelly-Filled Dome (2NP, +Suspension). Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation, +Only Works Underwater). Membranes (2NP, +1 Swim Stability). Cilia (2NP, +0.5 Swim Speed, +Ciliated Paddling). Pinhole Eye (2NP, +1 Sight). Eyespot (2NP, +Light Sensing).

Internal Features: Lysozymes (5NP, +Subzero Metabolism). Gonads (14NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism). Blood Vessels (7NP, +1 Stamina, +Small-Body Circulation). Anti-Freeze Substances (2NP, +Anti-Freeze). Muscular System (11NP, +0.5 Support, +0.5 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed). Stomach (7NP, +1 Digestion). Intestine (7NP, +1 Digestion, +1 Solid Excretion). Notochord (4NP, +1 Support). Ganglion (10NP, +1 Coordination). Nerve Cord (10NP, +1 Coordination). Nephridium (11NP, +1 Liquid Excretion).

Temporal Range: R.193 - Present (Astathean Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Lifespan: 2 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus lepusensis

Classification: Pictolexipotusinae (sf), Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus aeaeaensis

Latest Mutations: Brackish Tolerance

This filter-feeder glides through fresh and brackish water along the currents around the continent of Aeaea, filtering any passing small food with the cirri around its mouth. If it has to move, it can row with lines of cilia.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Brackish and Freshwater in Subtropical Winter Semi-Arid Barrens and Subtropical Arid Barrens

Niche: Filter-Feeder

Diet: Any fresh meat it can get.

Size: 2cm (from cirri to end)

Nutritional Need: 143 x 2/100 = 2.9NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 2.9 x 0.25 = 0.7NP per round (Needs to intake 0.7/0.6 = 1.2NP per round)/ 2.9 x 0.9 = 2.6NP

Abilities: Anti-Freeze. Exothermic. Liquid Excretion. Low Pressure Tolerance. Osmoregulation (Brackish and Freshwater). Permeable Skin. Small-Body Circulation. Solid Digestion. Subzero Metabolism.

Perception: Chemoreception 2 (detects chemicals 5m from mouth). Sight 1 (see blurrily on ventral side, monocular vision). Light Sensing (dorsal side).

Stats: Buoyancy 1 (Adjustable Buoyancy). Coordination 2. Digestion 1 (100% Meat, Digests 60%). Filtration 2. Immunity 2. Respiration 2 (Stationary Respiration, Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, 10% off). Stamina 3. Strength 1. Support 1. Swim Speed 1.5. Swim Stability 2. UV Resistance 1. Walk Speed 0.5.

Intelligence / Behaviour: 1. Hungry > Search for food. 2. Food > Filter with cirri. 3. Tired > Rest. 4. Pain > Swim away. 5. Maturity > Reproduce.

External Features: The cylindrical body with a jelly-filled dome has yellow skin. At the front are cirri, followed by the circular mouth and chemoreceptors. There are six pairs of gill slits. Along the body are four membranes with lines of cilia on them. On the ventral side of the body is a pinhole eye and on the dorsal side is an eyespot.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes and piezolytes. The body has a hemacoel and a few small blood vessels from the gills and large saccate metanephridium. The blood is violet because it contains hemerythrin. Anti-freeze threitol sugar alcohol flows around the body. It has a gonads. It has muscles across the body. It has a monogastric digestive system. From the ganglia in head is a single, ventral nerve cord with nerves running off with a nearby notochord.

Reproduction: Sexual Reproduction. External Fertilisation. 1,000 eggs per spawning.

Castes/Phases: Hermaphroditism.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Paddles with cilia.

External Features: Light Pigmentation (2NP, +1 UV Resistance). Jelly-Filled Dome (3NP, +1 Buoyancy, +Adjustable Buoyancy, +Suspension). Membranes (2NP, +2 Swim Stability). Cilia (2NP, +1 Swim Speed, +Ciliated Paddling). Skin (3NP, +1 Immunity, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Stationary Respiration, +Cutaneous Respiration, +Permeable Skin). Cirri (7NP, +1 Filtration). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (2NP, +1 Sight, +Monocular Vision). Eyespot (3NP, +Light Sensing).

Internal Features: Piezolytes (5NP, +Low Pressure Tolerance). Lysozymes (1NP, +Subzero Metabolism). Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation, +Only Works Underwater). Open Circulatory System (3NP, +Small-Body Circulation, +1 Stamina). Anti-Freeze Compound (2NP, +Anti-Freeze). Large Nephridium (19NP, +Liquid Excretion, +Osmoregulation). Muscular System (7NP, +1 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +Wriggling). Monogastric Digestive System (18NP, +1 Meat Digestion, +1 Veg Protein Digestion, +1 Immunity, +Solid Excretion). Centralised Nervous System (20NP, +2 Coordination, +Stimulus Response, +Subconscious Functions, +Body Movement Control). Notochord (4NP, +1 Support). Gonads (14NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism, +External Fertilisation).

Temporal Range: R. 224 - Present (Atrobocean Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Aeaea

Lifespan: 1 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus recentibus

Classification: Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus fuscus

Latest Mutations: Brown, Lose Anti-Freeze, Lose Lysosymes

Floating around on a jellyfish-like bell, this filter-feeder lives only in the murky waters of one estuary on Aeaea. It is brown, so better camouflaged against this backdrop and also has no anti-freeze or lysosymes because it does not come into contact with below freezing conditions. It filters any passing small food with the cirri around its mouth. If it has to move, it can row with lines of cilia.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Brackish in Subtropical Winter Semi-Arid Barrens

Niche: Filter-Feeder

Diet: Any fresh meat it can get, filtering particles of 0.2mm or less.

Size: 2cm (from cirri to end)

Nutritional Need: 141 x 2/100 = 2.8NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 2.8 x 0.25 = 0.7NP per round (Needs to intake 0.7/0.6 = 1.2NP per round)/ 2.8 x 0.9 = 2.5NP

Abilities: Exothermic. Liquid Excretion. Low Pressure Tolerance. Osmoregulation (Brackish). Permeable Skin. Small-Body Circulation. Solid Excretion.

Perception: Chemoreception 2 (detects chemicals 5m from mouth). Sight 1 (see blurrily on ventral side, monocular vision). Light Sensing (dorsal side).

Stats: Buoyancy 1 (Adjustable Buoyancy). Coordination 2. Digestion 1 (100% Meat, Digests 60%). Filtration 2. Immunity 2. Respiration 2 (Stationary Respiration, Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, 10% off). Stamina 3. Strength 1. Support 1. Swim Speed 1.5. Swim Stability 2. UV Resistance 3. Walk Speed 0.5.

Intelligence / Behaviour: 1. Hungry > Search for food. 2. Food > Filter with cirri. 3. Tired > Rest. 4. Pain > Swim away. 5. Maturity > Reproduce.

External Features: The cylindrical body with a jelly-filled dome has brown skin. At the front are cirri, followed by the circular mouth and chemoreceptors. There are six pairs of gill slits. Along the body are four membranes with lines of cilia on them. On the ventral side of the body is a pinhole eye and on the dorsal side is an eyespot.

Internal Features: Each cell contains piezolytes. The body has a hemacoel and a few small blood vessels from the gills and large saccate metanephridium. The blood is violet because it contains hemerythrin. It has a gonads. It has muscles across the body. It has a monogastric digestive system. From the ganglia in head is a single, ventral nerve cord with nerves running off with a nearby notochord.

Reproduction: Sexual Reproduction. External Fertilisation. 1,000 eggs per spawning.

Castes/Phases: None.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Paddles with cilia.

External Features: Dark Pigmentation (2NP, +3 UV Resistance). Jelly-Filled Dome (3NP, +1 Buoyancy, +Adjustable Buoyancy, +Suspension). Membranes (2NP, +2 Swim Stability). Cilia (2NP, +1 Swim Speed, +Ciliated Paddling). Skin (3NP, +1 Immunity, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Stationary Respiration, +Cutaneous Respiration, +Permeable Skin). Cirri (7NP, +1 Filtration). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (2NP, +1 Sight, +Monocular Vision). Eyespot (3NP, +Light Sensing).

Internal Features: Piezolytes (5NP, +Low Pressure Tolerance). Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation, +Only Works Underwater). Open Circulatory System (3NP, +Small-Body Circulation, +1 Stamina). Large Nephridium (19NP, +Liquid Excretion, +Osmoregulation). Muscular System (7NP, +1 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +Wriggling). Monogastric Digestive System (19NP, +1 Meat Digestion, +1 Veg Protein Digestion, +1 Immunity, +Solid Excretion). Centralised Nervous System (20NP, +2 Coordination). Notochord (4NP, +1 Support). Gonads (14NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism, +External Fertilisation).

Temporal Range: R. 230 - Present (Atrobocean Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Aeaea

Lifespan: 1 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus aeaeaensis

Classification: Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus lineatus

Latest Mutations: Lose Anti-Freeze, Lose Lysosymes

Floating around on a jellyfish-like bell, this filter-feeder lives only in the murky waters of one estuary on Aeaea. It has no anti-freeze or lysosymes because it does not come into contact with below freezing conditions. It filters any passing small food with the cirri around its mouth. If it has to move, it can row with lines of cilia.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Brackish in Subtropical Winter Semi-Arid Barrens

Niche: Filter-Feeder

Diet: Any fresh meat it can get, filtering particles of 0.2mm or less.

Size: 2cm (from cirri to end)

Nutritional Need: 141 x 2/100 = 2.8NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 2.8 x 0.25 = 0.7NP per round (Needs to intake 0.7/0.6 = 1.2NP per round)/ 2.8 x 0.9 = 2.5NP

Abilities: Exothermic. Liquid Excretion. Low Pressure Tolerance. Osmoregulation (Brackish). Permeable Skin. Small-Body Circulation. Solid Excretion.

Perception: Chemoreception 2 (detects chemicals 5m from mouth). Sight 1 (see blurrily on ventral side, monocular vision). Light Sensing (dorsal side).

Stats: Buoyancy 1 (Adjustable Buoyancy). Coordination 2. Digestion 1 (100% Meat, Digests 60%). Filtration 2. Immunity 2. Respiration 2 (Stationary Respiration, Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, 10% off). Stamina 3. Strength 1. Support 1. Swim Speed 1.5. Swim Stability 2. UV Resistance 1. Walk Speed 0.5.

Intelligence / Behaviour: 1. Hungry > Search for food. 2. Food > Filter with cirri. 3. Tired > Rest. 4. Pain > Swim away. 5. Maturity > Reproduce.

External Features: The cylindrical body with a jelly-filled dome has yellow skin. At the front are cirri, followed by the circular mouth and chemoreceptors. There are six pairs of gill slits. Along the body are four membranes with lines of cilia on them. On the ventral side of the body is a pinhole eye and on the dorsal side is an eyespot.

Internal Features: Each cell contains piezolytes. The body has a hemacoel and a few small blood vessels from the gills and large saccate metanephridium. The blood is violet because it contains hemerythrin. It has a gonads. It has muscles across the body. It has a monogastric digestive system. From the ganglia in head is a single, ventral nerve cord with nerves running off with a nearby notochord.

Reproduction: Sexual Reproduction. External Fertilisation. 1,000 eggs per spawning.

Castes/Phases: None.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Paddles with cilia.

External Features: Light Pigmentation (2NP, +1 UV Resistance). Jelly-Filled Dome (3NP, +1 Buoyancy, +Adjustable Buoyancy, +Suspension). Membranes (2NP, +2 Swim Stability). Cilia (2NP, +1 Swim Speed, +Ciliated Paddling). Skin (3NP, +1 Immunity, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Stationary Respiration, +Cutaneous Respiration, +Permeable Skin). Cirri (7NP, +1 Filtration). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (2NP, +1 Sight, +Monocular Vision). Eyespot (3NP, +Light Sensing).

Internal Features: Piezolytes (5NP, +Low Pressure Tolerance). Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation, +Only Works Underwater). Open Circulatory System (3NP, +Small-Body Circulation, +1 Stamina). Large Nephridium (19NP, +Liquid Excretion, +Osmoregulation). Muscular System (7NP, +1 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +Wriggling). Monogastric Digestive System (19NP, +1 Meat Digestion, +1 Veg Protein Digestion, +1 Immunity, +Solid Excretion). Centralised Nervous System (20NP, +2 Coordination). Notochord (4NP, +1 Support). Gonads (14NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism, +External Fertilisation).

Temporal Range: R. 239 - Present (Atrobocean Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Aeaea

Lifespan: 1 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus aeaeaensis

Classification: Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## Masticephalus verticillatus

Latest Mutations: Freshwater Tolerance

Floating around on a jellyfish-like bell, this filter-feeder lives across the brackish and freshwater of the dry continent of Aeaea. It filters any passing small food with the cirri around its mouth. If it has to move, it can row with lines of cilia.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Brackish and Freshwater in Subtropical Winter Semi-Arid Barrens, Subtropical Arid Barrens

Niche: Filter-Feeder

Diet: Any fresh meat it can get, filtering particles of 0.2mm or less.

Size: 2cm (from cirri to end)

Nutritional Need: 141 x 2/100 = 2.8NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 2.8 x 0.25 = 0.7NP per round (Needs to intake 0.7/0.6 = 1.2NP per round)/ 2.8 x 0.9 = 2.5NP

Abilities: Exothermic. Liquid Excretion. Low Pressure Tolerance. Osmoregulation (Brackish and Freshwater). Permeable Skin. Small-Body Circulation. Solid Excretion.

Perception: Chemoreception 2 (detects chemicals 5m from mouth). Sight 1 (see blurrily on ventral side, monocular vision). Light Sensing (dorsal side).

Stats: Buoyancy 1 (Adjustable Buoyancy). Coordination 2. Digestion 1 (100% Meat, Digests 60%). Filtration 2. Immunity 2. Respiration 2 (Stationary Respiration, Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, 10% off). Stamina 3. Strength 1. Support 1. Swim Speed 1.5. Swim Stability 2. UV Resistance 3. Walk Speed 0.5.

Intelligence / Behaviour: 1. Hungry > Search for food. 2. Food > Filter with cirri. 3. Tired > Rest. 4. Pain > Swim away. 5. Maturity > Reproduce.

External Features: The cylindrical body with a jelly-filled dome has brown skin. At the front are cirri, followed by the circular mouth and chemoreceptors. There are six pairs of gill slits. Along the body are four membranes with lines of cilia on them. On the ventral side of the body is a pinhole eye and on the dorsal side is an eyespot.

Internal Features: Each cell contains piezolytes. The body has a hemacoel and a few small blood vessels from the gills and large saccate metanephridium. The blood is violet because it contains hemerythrin. It has a gonads. It has muscles across the body. It has a monogastric digestive system. From the ganglia in head is a single, ventral nerve cord with nerves running off with a nearby notochord.

Reproduction: Sexual Reproduction. External Fertilisation. 1,000 eggs per spawning.

Castes/Phases: None.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Paddles with cilia.

External Features: Dark Pigmentation (2NP, +3 UV Resistance). Jelly-Filled Dome (3NP, +1 Buoyancy, +Adjustable Buoyancy, +Suspension). Membranes (2NP, +2 Swim Stability). Cilia (2NP, +1 Swim Speed, +Ciliated Paddling). Skin (3NP, +1 Immunity, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Stationary Respiration, +Cutaneous Respiration, +Permeable Skin). Cirri (7NP, +1 Filtration). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2NP, +2 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (2NP, +1 Sight, +Monocular Vision). Eyespot (3NP, +Light Sensing).

Internal Features: Piezolytes (5NP, +Low Pressure Tolerance). Gills (4NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation, +Only Works Underwater). Open Circulatory System (3NP, +Small-Body Circulation, +1 Stamina). Large Nephridium (19NP, +Liquid Excretion, +Osmoregulation). Muscular System (7NP, +1 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +Wriggling). Monogastric Digestive System (19NP, +1 Meat Digestion, +1 Veg Protein Digestion, +1 Immunity, +Solid Excretion). Centralised Nervous System (20NP, +2 Coordination). Notochord (4NP, +1 Support). Gonads (14NP, +Sexual Reproduction, +Hermaphroditism, +External Fertilisation).

Temporal Range: R. 239 - Present (Atrobocean Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Aeaea

Lifespan: 1 year

Predecessor: Masticephalus fuscus

Classification: Pictolexipotusidae (f)

Discoverer: StealthStyle

## **Masticephalus magnabrachus**

Latest Mutations: Longer Cirri

Only at night does this simple, tiny filter-feeder rise from the depths in large groups to filter-feed close to the surface. This is probably to avoid predators.

Status: Unlisted

Habitat: Deep Ocean

Niche: Zooplankton Filter-Feeder

Size: 2mm (length - from cirri to end)

Nutritional Need: 115 x 0.2/100 = 0.23NP

Food / Oxygen Requirement: 0.23 x 0.25 = 0.06NP per round (Needs to intake 0.06/0.65 = 0.09NP per round)/ 0.23 x 0.8 = 0.2NP

Abilities: Anti-Freeze. Exothermic. Medium UV Resistance. Permeable Skin. Osmoconformer (Quite High Salinity). Subzero Metabolism.

Perception: Chemoreception 1. Sight 0.5. Light Sensing.

Stats: Coordination 2. Dexterity 0.5. Digestion 0.5 (100% Meat, 65%). Filtration 2. Immunity 0.5. Respiration 2 (Cutaneous Respiration, Ram Ventilation, 80%). Stamina 3.5. Strength 0.5. Support 1. Swim Speed 1. Swim Stability 1. Tunnelling 0.5. Walk Speed 0.5.

Intelligence / Behaviour: 1. Hungry > Search for food. 2. Food > Filter with cirri. 3. Tired > Rest. 4. Pain > Swim away. 5. Maturity > Reproduce. 6. Other member of species > go towards. 7. Daylight > Move Into Darkness

External Features: The cylindrical body is blue. At the front are long cirri, followed by the circular mouth and chemoreceptors. There are six pairs of gill slits. Along the body are four membranes with lines of cilia on them and a jellyfish dome at the top. On the ventral side of the body is a pinhole eye and on the dorsal side is an eyespot.

Internal Features: Each cell contains lysozymes and piezolytes. The body has a hemacoel pumped by a dorsal vessel and a few small blood vessels from the gills and saccate metanephridium. The blood is violet because it contains hemerythrin. Anti-freeze threitol sugar alcohol flows around the body. It has a gonads. It has muscles across the body. It has a monogastric digestive system. From the ganglia in head is a single, ventral nerve cord with nerves running off.

Reproduction: Sexual Reproduction. External Fertilisation. 1,000 eggs per spawning.

Castes/Phases: Hermaphroditism.

Locomotion: Active (20NP). Paddles with cilia.

External Features: Medium Pigments (2.5NP, +Medium UV Resistance). Membrane (2.5NP, +1 Swim Stability). Cilia (2.5NP, +0.5 Swim Speed). Skin (5NP, +0.5 Immunity, +1 Respiration, +0.5 Stamina, +Cutaneous Respiration, +Permeable Skin). Long Cirri (5NP, +1 Filtration, +0.5 Dexterity). Mouth (0NP, +1 Filtration). Chemoreceptors (2.5NP, +1 Chemoreception). Pinhole Eye (2.5NP, +0.5 Sight). Eyespot (2.5NP, +Light Sensing). Jellyfish Dome (2.5NP).

Internal Features: Piezolytes (2.5NP, +Low Pressure Tolerance). Lysozymes (2.5NP, +Subzero Metabolism). Gills (5NP, +1 Respiration, +1 Stamina, +Ram Ventilation). Open Circulatory System (10NP, +2 Stamina, +Small-Body Circulation). Anti-Freeze Compound (2.5NP, +Anti-Freeze). Nephridium (5NP, +Liquid Excretion). Muscular System (10NP, +0.5 Strength, +0.5 Walk Speed, +0.5 Swim Speed, +0.5 Tunnelling, +Wriggling). Monogastric Digestive System (10NP, +0.5 Meat Digestion, +0.5 Veg Digestion, +0.5 Immunity, +Solid Excretion). Centralised Nervous System (10NP, +2 Coordination). Notochord (5NP, +1 Support). Gonads (5NP, +1 Evolution, +Sexual Reproduction, +Sexes, +External Fertilisation).

Temporal Range: R. 273 - Present (Samadaran Stage of the Oliverian)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Lifespan: 4 years

Predecessor: Masticephalus bathyus

Classification:

Discoverer: StealthStyle