Homo Ichtyus Sapiens

*I'd be surprised if there weren't others, and if there aren't, there will be eventually.*
- Old Gregor

***Homo Ichtyus Sapiens*** or ***Ichtyus Sapiens***, also called **Fish Men**, **Mutations** or **Mutos**, are a new species of human in Waterworld with adaptations to survive in an aquatic environment.

The Mariner, the main character in the 1995 film and the wider franchise and the live action stunt show, is a *Ichtyus Sapien*.

## Biology

The Mariner appears outwardly similar to humans, although he has gills behind his ears which allow him to breathe underwater, and webbed feet which allow him to swim at great speeds. He also had a hardy constitution, able to withstand crushing pressures at deep depths and take on large foes such as whalephins.

The novel implies that the Mariner is likely half human, and not a 'full-blood' *Ichtyus Sapien*. In the comics, the Mariner finds a book on the history of the Foundation which includes a depiction of an apparent full-blooded *Ichtyus Sapien*. This being appears much less human, with elongated limbs, an inhuman face and scale-like skin.

## History

The origins of *Ichtyus Sapiens* are never definitively stated. The film and the novelisation would seen to imply that they are a natural evolutionary adaptation to the new ocean-covered world.

However, the comics strongly suggest that *Ichtyus Sapiens*, including the Mariner himself, were created in an artificial environment by genetic engineers within The Foundation.

Part of the Mariner's driving force is to not only find more of his kind, but as to where they came from also.

## Population

The Mariner is the only *Ichtyus Sapien* seen in the film and wider franchise. It is unknown how many *Ichtyus Sapiens* there are.

It is mentioned in the novelisation of the film that his mother was an *Ichtyus Sapien*, or she was at least part. Also, in the comics the Mariner sees a depiction of a full-blood *Ichtyus Sapien* in a history book of the Foundation.

It is possible that there are more *Ichtyus Sapiens*, but given that "mutations" are treated with fear, discrimination and death at the hands of many atollers, it is likely that they avoid population centres and are solitary.

At the end of the film and the comics, the Mariner continues in his quest to find more of his kind. If a second volume of the comics had been commissioned, it is very likely that this is what it would have involved.

## Inspiration

### Fictional

* *Ichtyus sapiens* have a similarity to a number of alike monsters in popular culture, not limited to:
	+ Deep Ones from the mythology of H.P. Lovecraft
	+ Gill-man, "The Creature from the Black Lagoon", a classic movie monster and it's legacy
	+ The Mirelurk Kings, Swamplurks and Lakelurks from the *Fallout* series
	+ Abe Sapien from the *Hellboy* comic books, series, films, and games. Abe Sapien is also referred to as an **Ichthyo sapien**, and like the Mariner is potentially last of his species

### Non-fiction

* The Bajau Laut peoples of Southeast Asia, also sometimes referred to as 'Sea Nomads', live mostly on offshore flotillas and have done for millennia. They have developed genetic traits that are not only adapted to life at sea, but also enable them to dive deeper and longer, including a more efficient circulatory system, larger lung capacity and bigger spleens that allow for larger oxygen levels in the blood.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/bajau-sea-nomads-free-diving-spleen-science
2. ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/04/bajau-sea-nomads-diving-evolution-spleen/558359/