Adhacia

Adhacia is a Neopteron first appearing in Monster Hunter Wildlands.

## Physiology

Adhacia is a small to mid-sized Neopteron, ranging from the size of a small Zamite to the size of a Jagras, and are similar to their larger counter part, the Tuatha Adhacia. Their bodies are oval-like in shape and flat, and they are well adapted to an aquatic environment, the carapace being a dark brown-green in colour, with a single black stripe going down the middle. The hind pair of legs is long, flattened, and fringed to provide surface area that aids in flotation and swimming. The spiracles (openings through which the Neopteron breathes) are on the abdomen just under the back tip of the carapace. Each limb ends in a small claws tipped with fine hairs that trap bubbles from an organ within its main body, allowing it to float on the top of the water. The strangest part of the creature is its head, with a mostly beetle-like shape save for seven tentacles where the mouth should be seen. Each tentacle is a dark green and has dark brown-green carapace covering it, but are more fleshy than any other part of the creature, and are used to grab their food. Instead of a beak, the labra and labium of the mouth have evolved to grind water plants like seaweed with ease. Their eyes are more reminiscent of an octopus, being a mixture of greens and blues in colour with a single long horizontal black pupil.

## Abilities

Adhacia are very clumsy by nature and would prefer to avoid confrontation, but will attack any who threaten their leader with their bodies by ramming into threats as they spin around, or hitting them with their legs and tentacles. They can use their mouth to ingest water to spit at foes from a distance as a ranged attack when their foes may have backed off or would be approaching. They also have a unique method of attack involving a bubble-creating organ within their thorax, creating a bubble in their mouths to float at foes, or as they spin around create multiple bubbles, which can confuse their attackers and cause bubbleblight.

## Ecology

### Placement in Food Chain

Adhacia are very low in the food chain, being small monsters, but are not preyed on by many predators due to their tough shells and knack for a quick getaway. Their relationship with the larger Tuatha Adhacia also deters some predators, as they do not wish to be injured by the fiercer alpha. However, there are a few predators strong, brave or swift enough to take down an Adhacia with ease, such as Litanu, Aktakythos or Siorghielle, who will happily predate on these small creatures.

### Behaviour towards other Monsters

As mentioned previously, Adhacia are very curious creatures, who would approach most monsters that may come to their home for food or water. Nothing can deter they curiosity save for large predators, though young Adhacia may not recognise the danger and be snapped up quickly.

### Specific Locale Interactions

Adhacia can often be seen combing the beaches and river of the Verdant Expanse, eating water plants or simply wandering, when they are not floating on or swimming in the water.

### Special Behaviors

Adhacia will approach any Hunter that is near them, and if said Hunter performs the gesture "Tickle", the Adhacia will bounce happily before dropping a material that it may carry (In-game these take the form of parts of the Adhacia, like the shell or tentacle).

## Carves

* Low Rank
* High Rank
* G Rank

### Habitat Range

Adhacia are found near sunny bodies of water, making the Verdant Expanse a perfect home for them, due to the river flowing through it to the ocean, so they can forage for food in both.

### Ecological Niche

Adhacia feed exclusively on water plants, and their feeding ensures that is no overgrowth of these plants to take all of the oxygen from the water, keeping the rivers clean and fresh. As they are small monsters they may also feed larger predators, ensuring the cycle of the Verdant Expanse's waters are constantly fed and turning.

### Biological Adaptations

Adhacia are capable of both floating on and diving underneath their aquatic home, thanks to having lungs and sacs of air to store oxygen in for when they dive underneath the water. Their six strong legs are capable of scuttling quickly on land and pushing themselves through the water with a similar speed. These legs are also lined with a webbing made up of tiny hairs that trap bubbles so it can float along the surface of the water, which it does when playing or when crossing a river. These bubbles are created from an organ within its thorax, which emerge from its mouth, and are then carried by its tentacles to its legs, and are applied to the legs so that it may float.

## Behaviour

Adhacia are very intelligent creatures, and highly inquisitive, being curious of any unfamiliar creatures that would wander close to their home. They will not attack on sight, and instead would inspect the creature. They can sometimes be friendly with humans who approach, even dropping useful items for them when played with. When threatened they will attempt to run away, skittering back to the water to make an escape, though they are clumsy on land. The only time that they stand and fight is when their alpha, the Tuatha Adhacia, is threatened, and will try to ensure their safety.

## Notes

* Adhacia is the younger counterpart to the Tuatha Adhacia, similarly to Hermitaur with Daimyo Hermitaur.
* Adhacia was created for the Mini Marine Contest.