Cetesta

Perditesta manibusodon

Cetesta is a family of organisms that descend from ancient Abulospeculids. While no fossils have been found of their land dwelling ancestors, we have evidence to believe they lived as beach scavengers that feasted on ancient "bubblers" (panoplovitids that would often abandon their tails to free their sex organs and beach themselves en mass to produce huge amounts of foam containing gametes before dying on the beaches). These creatures would eventually drift back into the water and evolve into our modern Cetestids.

Within the seas of Wallace II live the modern descendants of this scavenging beast. Within the family of Cetesta are two living genus; Spiriventris and Perditesta. All known members of this family reproduce via the female passing their eggs into the male where it then internally fertilizes the eggs. As the eggs develop, the male then travels to shallower water where it releases the hatching larvae.

Spiriventris hosts two known species. These creatures share a common ancestor that likely scavenged off of the sea floor before developing large orb-like shells on their heads. These orbs are used similarly (but to different effect) among the two species within this genus. Amazingly, these creatures share a unique feature. Their respiratory system and gastrointestinal system have become one in the same. As such, their proboscises have evolved to lead through digestive tubes that end at their breathing holes. Their vestigial anus has joined with their genitalia and now produces a mucus like substance that aids in mating but can be ejected into the surrounding water to deter larger organisms. Their hind-most legs have atrophied and now only serve a purpose in mating. Their foremost legs have also atrophied, though one of the two species has made use of it while the other has allowed them to become vestigial. The two middle limbs act like directing fins while the final segment of its shell has evolved into something of a horizontal fluke to propel the creatures through the water. The eyes of the members of this genus have developed seven different photo-receptors allowing them to see many more colours than us. We believe this ability is used to great effect in combination with their orbs. The two known species within this genus are Spiriventris pulsusorbis and Spiriventris luxorbis.

Spiriventris pulsusorbis was discovered first. Colossal creatures that float out in the open ocean filter feeding on smaller krill-like and plankton-like organisms. Their proboscises have evolved into large drum or barrel-like organs that can pump large amounts of water into the organism. The insides of the proboscises are lined with millions of fractaling hairs. Covered in mucus, these hairs allow the creature to breath from the passing water and digest from any material caught in it before expelling waste and extra water out of the holes on their sides. On the top of its head is a large orb that is filled with an oil-like substance. This organ allows this creature to communicate with other members of its species at great distances through a low frequency sound or in person though the colours that it can produce on the surface of its orb. Their foremost limbs, though atrophied, have developed into cleaning limbs for their large eyes. Males and females travel in large family pods together but the females do not make the journey to shallower water to lay eggs with the males.

Spiriventris luxorbis is much smaller than its filter-feeding cousin. Its orb has developed into an organ capable of emitting a bioluminescent glow. This creature uses these lights to both confuse and almost hypnotize prey and for attracting mates. These creatures are solitary outside of mating season. While the two proboscises on the its left and right have developed into breathing tubes, the center proboscis has evolved a large syringe-like spike. The proboscis has developed the ability to launch forward to spear prey with the spike at the end before injecting digestive mucus and slurping up the insides of its prey.

Perditesta manibusodon is the only known member of its genus. These creatures have vied to abandon its bony plates in favour of speed in the water. As such, its breathing holes have moved towards the top of the creature. Our researchers believe this difference explains why it did not have to evolve the complex respiratory system of its relatives. Its large compound eyes have four different photo-receptors that allow it to hone in on prey. Its proboscises have evolved into long tentacle-like organs lined with sharp tooth-like protrusions. These "teeth" are believed to be able to detect electro-magnetic signals. The display organs of its ancestors have evolved into two large dorsal fins. Manibusodon floods blood into these organs to flash colours to other members of its species to coordinate hunts. The foremost limbs of this creature have evolved into directional fins while the other three have atrophied and are only used to aid in mating. The cartilage that was once used to support the final bone plate of its ancestors has developed into a rayed horizontal fluke for propulsion.