Gulpers (Magnastoma)

It is unknown what lurks in the abyss. Images of huge, toothy leviathans come to mind, the giant squid and sleeper sharks of Earth. Elonios has its own set of abyssal monsters, one of which is the order of highly-derived marine Retestomatidans known as Gulpers.

Gulpers are thought to be found throughout the oceans of Elonios, with species being discovered in various waters across the globe. The smallest average around a meter while the largest are estimated to grow to be 20 meters of more. All species are rare and poorly-studied, the best-known have only been sighted a dozen times or so in their natural habitat. Most are filter-feeders, though a few larger species actively hunt schools of small prey.

They are most closely related to anelii, and it is thought that they are descended from some extinct kind of Bulbous Anelii that evolved its limbs into paddle-like organs for swimming. Unlike anelii, however, they are capable of higher cognitive function, though not by much, and are mobile, active creatures with well-developed "mouths".

Gulpers are predominantly abyssal creatures. All species prefer a depth of a few miles down or more, the exception being mature Bearded and Great Grey Gulpers who often venture to lighter waters to hunt schools of small prey. Though smarter than their ancestors, they are simple creatures whose lives consist of swimming and eating. They feed by gulping in water with their large, muscular "mouths", straining the water for small animals and marine snow with hundreds of tiny cilia. The head type varies from species to species, some having vaguely catfish-like mouths and others having what seems to be a more mobile version of their anelii ancestors' maws. They have elongated, streamlined bodies that taper into anywhere from four to one paddle-like fins, their primary means of propulsion. Some more primitive species have large fin-like structures along their sides, chiefly the Abyssal Gulper. They also bear a second set of gills, these being hair-like and suspended on a pair of fleshy stumps. It is believed Gulpers evolved these to provide the extra oxygen they need for their higher-activity lives, the simple anelii gills not being enough to sustain them. Despite their apparent rarity, the number and diversity of species discovered so far indicates they must be a fairly successful group, and it has been said that there may eventually be large, surface-dwelling forms.

Known Species

Abyssal Gulper: One of the largest, with the biggest recorded specimen measuring 41 feet in length. It is thought that they may be capable of growing larger. The Abyssal is the most primitive extant Gulper, with four rudimentary paddles and a "mouth" very similar in structure to the stationary Bulbous Anelii it is descended from. It is found deeper than any other gulper, drifting along in total darkness, constantly vacuuming up seawater in a never-ending search for food. They have a number of biolights on the front of their body designed to attract small prey and large, sensory hairs alongside their many tiny cilia. These are rare creatures, with only three documented sightings.

Great Grey Gulper: A large, streamlined species, the longest known gulper at almost 20 meters. There are under a dozen documented encounters, all of them occurring when a specimen ventured to the surface to feed. Great Grey Gulpers are faster and more intelligent than most of their relatives due to their more active feeding style. Though they do filter-feeder via the traditional gulping, they often actively hunt schools of small prey and have reduced cilia and better sensors as a result. Two-paddled tail, parallels that of Earth Whales.

Great Bearded Gulper: Largest known Gulper, the only species subjected to any serious studies. Found offshore near the northern reaches of Elonios, highly-derived catfish-like "mouth" unique among gulpers. Three of the tagged specimens measured over 40 feet, largest was 55. More heavily built than most species, has developed powerful fin-like structures near the head. Younger animals live exclusively in the abyss, large adults spend much of their time feeding near the surface, actively hunt schools of small prey. Retreat deeper when disturbed. Huge, two-paddled tail.

Balloon Gulper: Small, pale species. Unusually wide, balloon-shaped body unique among gulpers. Only one encounter, specimen was 5 feet in length. Four, simple paddles, thinner "mouth" than other species. Specimen was observed bobbing around near the seafloor, would lunge at small prey.

Armored Paddletail: A smaller, heavily armored Gulper found near the seafloor. 4 documented sightings, largest was six feet (morphological differences indicate this may be a species of its own), others were around a meter. Paddles around several miles below the surface, feeds on marine snow and small animals. Observed taking Lumpcrabs and Aneliiphages off of a dead Bulbous Titan Anelii. Unusually wide, T-shaped tail.

Cthulian Gulper: A bizarre species, highly derived with six fleshy, tentacle-like appendages replacing the traditional "mouth". It is believed this variant split from other gulpers early on in their evolutionary history, developing a different kind of mouth. However, it functions similarly, being used to gather up large quantities of water which are filtered for the marine snow and small organisms it feeds on. The observed specimens ranged in size from 1 to 1.5 meters, with a grey, teardrop-shaped body and two round tail-paddles. The eyes are placed higher up on the "head" than other gulpers, and the secondary gills are smaller. All recorded observations occurred several miles below the surface, near the seafloor.

Eloniosan Manta: A large gulper, highly derived with massive, wing-like fins situated behind the head and reduced cilia. Twenty feet in width, thirty in length. Dark grey with a long tail, equipped with a singular paddle. Bears two pairs of biolights on the "head", originally mistaken to be eyes. Mouth is almost absent of cilia, more compact and muscular than in other gulpers, bears two large sensory appendages unknown in other species. The only known specimen was observed near a colony of Skyscraper Anelii, vacuuming up loose skin, parasites, and commensals off of the massive creatures. It is thought that they are more specialized for active predation than their relatives, lacking the cilia and large mouths of filter-feeding species, and may act as giant cleaner-wrasse equivalents for the anelii.

Cthulios: A creature spoken of in rumors and legends, no confirmed sightings. Eyewitness reports place it at 15-20 meters in length, with a large, thick body and four paddles, much like the Abyssal Gulper. Large tendrils are said to trail from the body, which is a sickly green in color. The head can best be described as squid-like, with six tentacles and fibrous gills. It has been thought, that, if real, this creature is some massive relative of the Cthulian Gulper, though an actual specimen is needed to be sure. But who knows? Legends are only legends are all...