Ostracoderma

## Ostracoderma densissima

Status: VU

Timespan: R.97 - Present

Habitat: Deep Ocean

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 3cm

Predecessor: Almoskulus caecorum

Classification: Ostracadermae, Almoskulisidea, Tunicoidea, Membrania

Latest Mutations: Shell = 5, Improve Nervous System = 1, Longer Tentacles = 3, Phragmocone = 2

Info: Proliferating through the deep seas, the thick, calcium carbonate shell of this species is impenetrable by any contemporary predators, making it difficult to be preyed upon. This is a good thing, because it has a very slow, inefficient nervous system composed of only one nerve cord, and the heavy, thick shell slows it down ever further. To move, it must drag itself across soft sediments using its fins, which is very ungainly and slow. The gliding membranes of its predecessors have completely disappeared. Once it finds a good spot, it filters in microbial matter with its short tentacles. It can only live below the thermocline because of the acidic surface waters and above 4,000 metres because calcium carbonate is not useable at this depth.

Description: The tubular body is hidden beneath a cap-shaped shell made of calcium carbonate, specifically calcite, with just enough of the body showing to allow the two eyestalks to stick out. The shell is quite thick and relatively heavy for its size. Beneath the shell is a mouth surrounded by chemoreceptors - two small tentacles also protrude from underneath the shell. There are three gill slits along the body. Under the body is a pair of sturdy, short fins. There is a small brain, attached to a single nerve cord, attached to webs of nerves. The gut is simple and leads straight to the anus. Hemolymph is distributed through the body to hemacoels, as the open circulatory system. It contains anti-freeze proteins.

Previous Mutations: Muscles, Fleshy Membrane (along back and underside), Chemoreceptors, Basic Instincts, Three Gill Slits, Yellow Pigmentation (L), Dentine Teeth, Open Circulatory System, Pinhole Eye With Lens (one on top of head), Notochord, Anti-freeze Proteins, Slow Reactions, Red-Transparent Colour Shifting, Small Tentacles, Eyes, Fins, Weak Skin (L), Fix Skin

Discoverer: PositiveTower

## Ostracoderma kinifolis

Status: NT

Temporal Range: R.113 - Present (Novaglacian)

Habitat: Tropical Deep Ocean (below thermocline, above lysocline) , Temperate Deep Ocean (above lysocline) , Polar Deep Ocean (above lysocline)

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 5cm (length)

Nutritional Worth: 50.5/10 x 3 = 15.2NP

Predecessor: Ostracoderma densissima

Classification: Ostracoderminae (sf), Almoskulusidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Decent vision with no depth perception either side, can sense chemicals up to ten metres away with accuracy.

Latest Mutations: Egg Fusing Behaviour = 6, Improve Shell = 4, Longer Tentacles = 5, Eggs Able To Fuse To Tentacles = 4

Info: This benthic filter-feeder spends most of its time on the seabed, except for its planktonic stage, and it's body protected by its shell but for the eyestalks protruding through two small holes and the relatively long tentacles sticking out from underneath the shell and helping it to filter food. When it needs to move, it's hidden fins drag it along the seabed. The tentacles also serve another purpose, as during reproduction the female gathers up the eggs and they become embedded in pits that develop on the tentacles. The female then tucks the tentacles under her body keeping the eggs safe, whilst carrying feeding, although somewhat hampered. She is then able to divert much of her own nutrients into her young so that they grow bigger and quicker. But this also means a female cannot reproduce again whilst she waits for the eggs to hatch. Therefore, Ostracoderma kinifolis is more successful at raising young, although densissima can potentially produce more. The tentacles also have chemoreceptors along them, making them useful for accurately locating the source of the chemicals.

Anatomy: The tubular, red body is covered in an elongated calcium carbonate shell over the entire body, except for the tentacles that often stick out and the two eyestalks on either side of the head protruding through two small holes in the shell. The shell is thick and heavy. The relatively long tentacles - about the length of the rest of the body - grow from around the circular mouth with small teeth, which is surrounded by chemoreceptors. There are three gill slits by the throat. A pair of sturdy fins supported by cartilage rungs curve underneath the body. In the head, ganglion lead to their single nerve cord that runs down the body meeting a web of nerves, alongside the cartilage notochord. The gut leads straight from the mouth to the anus. Blood is pumped around the body by the vessels of an open circulatory system to organs such as the muscles. Anti-freeze proteins are present in the blood.

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, however, it's response is often delayed. It also has basic reasoning. Other than its standard survival responses, the female responds to the stimuli of producing eggs by embedding them in her tentacles and tucking the tentacles under her body.

Discoverer: PositiveTower

## Ostracoderma pervagatus

Status: LC

Temporal Range: R.123 - Present (Novaglacian)

Habitat: Tropical Shallows, Temperate Shallows, Polar Shallows, Tropical Upper Ocean, Temperate Upper Ocean, Polar Upper Ocean

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 5cm (length)

Nutritional Worth: 50.5/10 x 3 = 15.2NP

Predecessor: Ostracoderma kinifolis

Classification: Ostracoderminae (sf), Almoskulusidae (f), Tunicaphora (o), Cylindrea (c), Bilateria (p)

Perception: Decent vision with no depth perception either side, can sense chemicals up to ten metres away with accuracy.

Latest Mutations: High Salinity Tolerance

Info: This species is practically identical to Ostracoderma kinifolis, except that it can survive tropical seas in addition to others. However, this shelled benthic filter-feeder can only tolerate low pressure.

Anatomy: The tubular, red body is covered in an elongated calcium carbonate shell over the entire body, except for the tentacles that often stick out and the two eyestalks on either side of the head protruding through two small holes in the shell. The shell is thick and heavy. The relatively long tentacles - about the length of the rest of the body - grow from around the circular mouth with small teeth, which is surrounded by chemoreceptors. There are three gill slits by the throat. A pair of sturdy fins supported by cartilage rungs curve underneath the body. In the head, ganglion lead to their single nerve cord that runs down the body meeting a web of nerves, alongside the cartilage notochord. The gut leads straight from the mouth to the anus. Blood is pumped around the body by the vessels of an open circulatory system to organs such as the muscles. Anti-freeze proteins are present in the blood.

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, however, it's response is often delayed. It also has basic reasoning. Other than its standard survival responses, the female responds to the stimuli of producing eggs by embedding them in her tentacles and tucking the tentacles under her body.

Discoverer: PositiveTower

## Ostracoderma viscosensis

Status: EN

Temporal Range: R.134 - Present (Untrustolithic)

Habitat: Tropical Shallows, Temperate Shallows,
Tropical Upper Ocean, Temperate Upper Ocean

Distribution: Cosmopolitan

Niche: Benthic Filter-Feeder

Size: 5cm (length)

Nutritional Worth: 50.5/10 x 3 = 15.2NP

Predecessor: Ostracoderma pervagatus

Classification: Ostracoderminae (sf), Ostracodermidae (f), Colyphora (o), Violymphia (c)

Perception: Decent vision with no depth perception either side, can sense chemicals up to ten metres away with accuracy.

Latest Mutations: Produce Adhesive Mucus, Remove Teeth

Info: Rocks are often covered by these Ostracoderma, and they are especially hard to prise of with the adhesive mucus they can produce from beneath their bodies. Their ability to filter feed is improved by the lack of teeth. They are common all over the seas.

Anatomy: The tubular, red body is covered in an elongated calcium carbonate shell over the entire body, except for the tentacles that often stick out and the two eyestalks on either side of the head protruding through two small holes in the shell. The shell is thick and heavy. The relatively long tentacles - about the length of the rest of the body - grow from around the circular mouth, which is surrounded by chemoreceptors. There are three gill slits by the throat. A pair of sturdy fins supported by cartilage rungs curve underneath the body and adhesive mucus glands are laid out in their underside. In the head, ganglion lead to their single nerve cord that runs down the body meeting a web of nerves, alongside the cartilage notochord. The gut leads straight from the mouth to the anus. Blood is pumped around the body by the vessels of an open circulatory system to organs such as the muscles. Anti-freeze proteins are present in the blood.

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, however, it's response is often delayed. It also has basic reasoning. Other than its standard survival responses, the female responds to the stimuli of producing eggs by embedding them in her tentacles and tucking the tentacles under her body.

Discoverer: StealthStyle