Viofotavgessoma

***Viofotavgessoma*** is a genus under Arpaktikoaltidae and is distinguished by its ability to bioluminesce using chemical reactions. It first evolved around 350 million years ago from an unknown member of the tribe Alatoneroini, likely a member of *Alatonero*, driven to evolve bioluminescence to compete with the rapidly growing ecosystem of the open ocean. Its ability to emit light from its skin is unique in in the kingdom of Animalisaliena, as most other convergent evolutions of bioluminescence did not feature the same methods. Later descendants of the genus retained this ability, strengthening and tuning it to conform to evolutionary pressures, leading to a relatively small bioluminescent clade of wish which eventually was largely outcompeted by other bioluminescent animals and more active predators in their area. Changing land masses also led to changing waters, being a primary cause for rapid speciation of the genus along with its unique ability.

## Anatomy

The anatomy of species *Viofotavgessoma* consists of the typical five sections of a member of Arpaktikoaltidae, as well as a special type of cell just below the outermost layer of skin known as a lumictye (derived from Latin "lumi", meaning "light" and "cyte", a common suffix for cells). Lumicytes function through breaking down protiens delivered to them in particular ways to produce chemicals that release light when combined into a reaction, saving these chemicals in small "containers" until they are to be used, either in self-defense or attracting prey. These cells connect using small tubes, aiding in the distribution of these chemicals if any individual cell is lacking. If a member of the genus feels the need to activate this ability, it can light up an area of skin, typically a small one, by combining these chemicals within each cell, releasing light. Muscle contractions move these cells up along with the outermost layer of skin, pushing other skin cells out of the way and allowing the emitted light to escape more easily.

Members of this genus range roughly from 1 foot (0.3 meters) to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, though the overwhelming majority rarely grow above 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) due to the need to create a minimal surface area to decrease the demand for bioluminescent chemicals in the skin.

## Habitat

The first members of *Viofotavgessoma* lived in Quintus Oceanum, just south of Secundoterra. They spread quickly, however, into other areas, as their unique ability was unmatched by many local populations, such as in the later genus *Viofotavgisoura*, which took over the already existing population in less than 2 million years. In some cases, this led to an overpopulation issue, eventually decreasing their numbers from the inside. Some took to more coastal regions, where small Xenoinsects often dwelled along with their slightly larger predators, both acting as prey to members of this genus. One species in particular, *Viofotavgessoma litorvita* (named after Latin for beach and life), especially excelled in this, reducing the local population by over 2% in some coastlines.

## Diet

The diet of these animals is largely similar to that of other member of Arpaktikoaltidae, being small animals, such as other members of the family (occasionally even other members of the same genus or species), Oligans and their relatives, small Xenoinsects, and various Ostikiepithymia. In some cases, their diet is specialized to maximize the output of chemicals needed for bioluminescence, as these chemicals can be difficult to produce in large quantities.

## Evolution

The first member of this species, *Viofotavgessoma epizon*, evolved about 350 million years ago from members of the tribe Alatoneroini. It is unknown exactly which species it evolved from, but it is thought to likely be a member of the genus *Alatonero*. The newly presented niche of bioluminescence led to great success in this species, causing it to evolve into a whole genus. This genus later turned into more, becoming the tribe Vifotavgessomini and eventually being the namesake of the family Vifotavgessidae. It continued to spread throughout Hume III's oceans, primarily in Quintus Oceanum, having success even in deeper waters, such as in the cases of *Viofotavgessoma luxtenebris* (named after Latin for light in dark) and *Viofotavgessoma altaqua* (named after Latin for deep water). Coastal species also saw great success, thriving off of the diverse ecosystems that had not yet accustomed to bioluminesent threats. Having less success were the surface-dwelling members, primarily only represented by the singular species *Viofotavgessoma cacumenus* (named after Latin for surface). Later members of the clade descending from the genus prospered in small quantities as prey evolved fear and avoidance of bioluminescence, still surviving in some species in modern times.

## Taxonomy

Domain: Exogiinosefkaryotis

Kingdom: Animalisaliena

Subkingdom: Enmetazoae

Phylum: Xenochordata

Subphylum: Psariaskoulikion

Megaclass: Epithymia

Superclass: Skoulikionpsaria

Class: Ostikiepithymia

Subclass: Efchimelovo

Order: Psithyrismenoprosopoiformes

Suborder: Programmataanichnefsiskatooidei

Clade: Idiotamcaptionemviventem

Subclade: Ourapterygio

Section: Mobileidiotamcaptionem

Clade: Arpaktikoaltisidae

Family: Arpaktikoaltidae

Tribe: Arpaktikoaltini

Genus: ***Viofotavgessoma***

Species under *Viofotavgessoma*:

*Viofotavgessoma epizon*

*Viofotavgessoma bingusi*

*Viofotavgessoma septentrionesprimaterrus*

*Viofotavgessoma luxapit*

*Viofotavgessoma orientemprimaterrus*

*Viofotavgessoma neomar*

*Viofotavgessoma bathalassus*

*Viofotavgessoma vesperus*

*Viofotavgessoma litorvita*

*Viofotavgessoma luxtenebris*

*Viofotavgessoma altaqua*

*Viofotavgessoma cacumenus*