Maiapeltidae

The Maiapeltids (”Mother Shields”) are a family of megafauna derived from the ancient ambulospeculids on Wallace ll, notable for their convergent Earth mammal-like qualities. Trading in the armoured exoskeleton for a more dynamic endoskeleton allowed for the development of a more complex muscular system. Maiapeltids have also evolved a thick outer dermis and a coat of coarse, hair-like fibers covering most of their bodies. Maiapeltids are further fortified with armored plates on their heads, back, first legs, and large crests. Taking advantage of Wallace ll’s lighter gravity they are able to bulk up to such great extents with less stress on the body. Earlier species may have been more heavily armored and resembled the Polyaspids, whereas more derived Maiapeltids have reduced plates or even osteoderm-like plating under the skin.

The central proboscis on Maiapeltids has been reduced to an orifice fortified with bone-like jaws and sharp serrated edges like teeth. since these are not true teeth with roots, a disadvantage is that they cannot be regenerated which can become painful for old individuals who have worn them down. Meanwhile the other two proboscises have become very muscular and dexterous, capable of gripping food and guiding it to the mouth. These proboscises are similar to elephant trunks. They can no longer ingest food with them, but as a vestigial mouth they have a small opening with highly modified hypodermic “fangs” and venom glands. The venom was first adapted for self defense, however more derived lineages like Platyaspsis and Rhinacheirus can use them to hunt prey.

The compound eyes of early Ambulospeculids have instead become one lens adapted to a diurnal lifestyle. Vision is still weak and primarily senses movement, therefore Maiapeltids rely more on their sensitive whiskers, proboscises, and enlarged olfactory organ to search for food. The olfactory organ is separate from the respiratory system, with two sets of three ‘nostrils’ on each side of the beak. This beak is adapted from the frontmost plate on ancestral ambulospeculids, and is detached from the rest of the skull. It is somewhat dexterous, not unlike Earth’s parrot bills.

The Maiapeltids are generally slow, tanky herbivores. They feed on Polyspeculates, and with their beaks they are capable of crushing their bony exterior to feed on the nutritious insides. Some more active or adventurous members will prey on moving Sidobosians. Maiapeltids are notably quadrupedal, with the two anterior pairs of legs becoming highly specialized in different ways. The frontmost pair retain an ancestral segmented appearance and typically aid in defense, protecting the vulnerable neck area and its respiratory holes, but may also help with foraging activities or social displays.

The second pair of legs are what gives the Maiapeltids the other half of their name, having evolved into a fortified pouch, which is present and fully functional in both the female and the male. The pouch evolved as a more effective way of transporting eggs and young that were once simply carried, the limbs then developed skin webbing eventually connecting the arms together. It differs from the Earth Marsupial pouch due to the presence of bones, making this pouch more of a “chamber” and incubator. The Maiapeltid egg is amniotic with a thick but porous shell. The bony chamber allows the egg to remain intact even when the parent is bearing weight on the belly.

This adaptation is thought to have evolved as a result of unpredictable climate and food supply. Previously, a Maiapeltid would have to abandon its nest or helpless young who were too weak to spontaneously migrate, or would fall prey to opportunistic predators. Eggs and small babies were easy to snatch, as most other aliens could easily outspeed the slow parents. Now, young stay in the pouch whenever they aren’t grazing until they are strong enough to have a chance at defending themselves. Some can even graze while still having the rest of the body in the pouch.

Today there are four extant genera of Maiapeltid: Polyaspis, Platyaspis, Gigantodendranops, and Rhinacheirus.

Polyaspis most resembles its’ more primitive ancestors by body plan and behaviour, but has sophisticated armour plating moreso than any other genera. These Maiapeltids are strict grazers and quite passive creatures. They will form herds but generally are not social with each other apart from mating.

Platyaspis is named after its more flattened, reduced plates. They are considerably more active than polyaspis species and are generalists, giving them a larger distribution. Although they still rely on stationary greens, they will take an opportunity to scavenge a carcass or even hunt small prey. They are notable for having sharp serrated beaks and fangs. Platyaspis acridon has the most complex social behaviour of all observed Maiapeltids, they are known to butt heads and fight over carcasses or mates. They can form small packs or pairs to share a territory with.

Gigantodendranops titan is the largest recorded Maiapeltid and its lifestyle and morphology closely resembles that of Earth’s giant ground sloths or chalicotheres. Their tall stature allows them to graze higher branches or even to knock large Celestiphytans over as they roam and form paths. This occasional forest clearing creates a unique ecosystem and individual G. titans can attract a posse of other wildlife eating their leftovers or other food that falls to forest floor by clumsy eating. They are named for their large tree-like crest used for display which is larger in the female. This genus is unique in that it primarily uses its large claws for defense.

The Rhinacheirus genus is the smallest and arguably the most derived lineage in the Maiapeltid family, who took on a completely different morphology suitable for life underground. Taking advantage of their poor eyesight they have almost completely abandoned their sight, instead relying on olfactory senses and their highly specialized branching proboscises to feel for food. These feelers have many nerve endings and are venemous, and will can grab small underground organisms guiding them into the mouth. These are also the only Maiapeltids who use venom to kill their prey, because of its small stature even smaller prey. The giant front claws of Rhinacheirus ceasus are curved like shovels making them skilled diggers, burrowing complex tunnel systems underground. This genus has the largest distribution of extant Maiapeltids, and their small size plus abundance gives them an advantage over other members of the family. If an extinction event were to occur, its likely these may become the only extant Maiapeltids.