Periphractax

## Periphractax gladius

Temporal Range: R.118 - R.126 (Novaglacian to Untrustolithic Stage of the Atroxian)

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Southern Hemisphere

Niche: Predator

Size: 9cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Arthroskulus pelagus

Classification: Roharasrinae (sf), Codowecoiidae (f), Probocephala (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Bllurry vision without depth perception to the side but binocular blurry vision to the front, and could sense chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Latest Mutations: Long beak, complete exoskeleton

Info: Periphractax gladius cut a striking figure, unique and recognisable across the Atroxian seas. The lower rostrum of the sharp beak extended to double the length of the upper one, appearing like a sword protruding from the face of Periphractax. Although it could be used as a weapon, the beak was most often used for poking through sediment and skimming along it for hidden prey. Once prey is found the long rostrum was used to slash or impale it's victim. It was rarely used in defence because Periphractax is entirely contained within an chitinous exoskeleton, which provided defence enough until stronger jawed Stellingus evolved later in its existence. However, this species was not very mobile and was replaced by its descendant, which had steering arms.

Anatomy: The entire cylindrical, blue body is encased in a chitinous exoskeleton. Some of the armour has formed a fan-shape protruding from the rear, which can be moved up and down by muscle. Also, the armour behind the head contains a spiracle, allowing oxygen through it. Underneath the armour, the animal has a hydrostatic skeleton composed of strong, longitudinal muscles, which seem to be slightly more powerful than those of its predecessors. At the front, the characteristic sharp beak protrudes from a proboscis, with a lower rostrum twice the length of the upper. There are four pinhole eyes, but none of them look up; two are at the front, and two are on the sides. A muscular siphon at the rear propels out water. Inside their body, they have a simple gut leading to an anus, a stomach containing digestive carnivorous bacteria, a nerve network and small bunch of ganglia, and an open circulatory system filled with blue-green hemacoel. There is also a swim bladder, unconnected to the gut. Anti-freeze proteins flow through the hemacoel.

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

## Periphractax vertobrachium

Status: EN

Temporal Range: R.126 - Present (Untrustolithic)

Habitat: Temperate Shallows, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Southern Hemisphere

Niche: Predator

Size: 9cm (length)

Nutritional Worth:

Predecessor: Periphractax gladius

Classification: Roharasrinae (sf), Codowecoiidae (f), Probocephala (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Has blurry vision without depth perception to the side but binocular blurry vision to the front, and can sense chemicals up to tens of metres away.

Latest Mutations: Steering Arms

Info: On each side, just behind the head is a thin, curved, hollow extension of the exoskeleton. These "arms" are used as rudders to steer the body in its restricting exoskeleton. By lifting the left arm it can turn right and by lifting the right arm it can turn left. It hunts worms in the seabed with a long, sharp beak.

Anatomy: The entire cylindrical, blue body is encased in a chitinous exoskeleton. Some of the armour has formed a fan-shape protruding from the rear, which can be moved up and down by muscle and behind the head are a pair of thin, curved, hollow arms of exoskeleton. Also, the armour behind the head contains a spiracle, allowing oxygen through it. Underneath the armour, the animal has a hydrostatic skeleton composed of strong, longitudinal muscles, which seem to be slightly more powerful than those of its predecessors. At the front, the characteristic sharp beak protrudes from a proboscis, with a lower rostrum twice the length of the upper. There are four pinhole eyes, but none of them look up; two are at the front, and two are on the sides. A muscular siphon at the rear propels out water. Inside their body, they have a simple gut leading to an anus, a stomach containing digestive carnivorous bacteria, a nerve network and small bunch of ganglia, and an open circulatory system filled with blue-green hemacoel. There is also a swim bladder, unconnected to the gut. Anti-freeze proteins flow through the hemacoel.

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