Shroom Herder would like to know your location.

But in all seriousness, it's nice to see more things like this. People tend to forget that domestication isn't merely a human-only thing. Of course, it's only a matter of time before something else evolves to try and exploit these from beneath the eyes of the watchful Dundis.

My plan is that it uses it to skewer prey, as well as to use it as a sort of drying rack, keeping either parts or entire corpses on it to dry out in the sun. Also, I plan to write about their use in self-defense, for when some potential predators aren't scared off by intimidation displays.

Swap with Disgustedorite.

Shrogre (Maiorinsulae luterursi)
Creator: Nergali
Ancestor: Seashrog
Habitat: Barlowe Temperate Woodland, Barlowe Temperate Rainforest, Barlowe Temperate Chaparral
Size: 6.5 m long
Diet: Omnivore (Obidian Shrub, Rainforest Carnofern, Clusterspades, Barnline, Obsidibarrage, Mainland Fuzzpalm, Qupe Tree, Obsiditall, Mainland Chime Slingberry, Carnofern Grubnub, Buttpiper, Grand Buttpiper, Rainforest Gosalizard, Tappipper, Digging Gossalizard, Doboor, Grassblaster, Tusked Grassblaster), Scavenger
Reproduction: Sexual (Male and Female, Live Birth, Pouch and Milk)

Descended from Seashrogs that made landfall on Barlowe island, the Shrogres represents a lineage that have lost their seafaring nature and have instead taken to an existence on dry land. With a plentiful food supply and not much competition within a similar size range, under the effects of island gigantism the Shrogres have grown large indeed. Similar to their ancestor in terms of sociality - they form family groups composed of a mated pair and their offspring, centralized around a constructed mound-like nest of various timber - they have managed to spread throughout the island and shifted the ecosystems to center around themselves. From carving paths through the forests to having entire ecosystems of microfauna flourishing within their nests, they have essentially become a keystone species, one capable of physically changing the world around them with but a few swings of their axe-tails.

Anatomy
To accompany its increase in size, the Shrogres have evolved a larger, bulkier form in response to living in a steady, year-long temperate climate. Towering over almost every other species on Barlowe Island, with the exception of the Megalosheh, the Shrogres have few natural predators once fully grown. This ease in the pressures of predation has in turn led to a reduction in size of the spines that adorn the head, neck, and upper back region. While many no longer even penetrate through the fur, those closer to the head region are still quite prominent due to their role as a desirable sexual feature - specimens with larger, more robust spines are more likely to attract a mate, and thus natural selection favors those who possess them.

Trailing behind them, the tails of the Shrogre, while still utilized to shred vegetation and cut through wood, have developed a new function. Broader and flatter compared to those of Seashrogs, the axe-tail of the Shrogre can be laid flat against the ground in order to allow them to stand straight up for short periods of time. Not only does this dramatically increase their range of vision, it also significantly increases their already considerably large and imposing frames. This can be quite useful when it comes to scaring off potential predators, such as the Great Leotam.

The elongated limbs of the Shrogres are, despite their lankier-looking appearance, packed full of muscles. A fully grown Shrogre can quite easily dislocate a limb from its socket and, if particularly threatened, even shatter a skull with a well-placed swing. Of course, Shrogres would very much prefer not to engage in such actions, as it puts them at risk of relations, and as such will rely on spears to defend themselves as they can keep a threat at bay.

Similarly to the Great Leotam, Shrogres bear tusks, though they are only present in males. In a manner similar to the spikes, they serve as a sexual display in order to attract females. Yet they also serve a second, darker purpose. With a reduced range a limited access to mates and territory, as compared to that of Seashrogs, male Shrogres will on occasion use them when battling one another. Such fights often involve both combatants grappling one another and, in some extreme cases, using their outward-pointing tusks to spear into each others necks. Such occurances are rare, however, as such an act holds a great risk of a tusk cracking or even outright breaking should it either strike a bone at an odd angle.

Diet
Compared to the Seashrogs, the Shrogres possess a much more herbivorous diet, one composed of a wide range of vegetation, from low growing Cluterspades to the fallen leaves of the immense Obsiditall, with a distinct preference for the latter as well as the leaves of other large tree-like flora. To round out this diet and supply themselves with essential nutrients, the Shrogres are also known to hunt small prey items from time to time, such as the likes of Doboors and Buttpipers. Above all else, however, they have developed a notable taste for Gossalizards, devouring them with much relish, especially if they have washed them in seawater first - though they don't live on beaches, they will on occasion visit them in order to wash food and clean their fur of less salt-tolerant parasites. On occasion, when hunts have not gone well, they may even scavenge the kills of other large predators, using their prodigious size to scare off the original hunters as well as other scavengers.

Tool Use and Food Preservation
Much like the Seashrogs, the Shrogres have retained their capacity for tool use. Carving spears from the trunks of trees such as the Obsidibarrage, they further refine the tips with their teeth until they sufficiently sharp enough. With these spears, they are able to hunt various smaller fauna by skewering them out of their hiding spots or the underbrush, not unlike how Seashrogs utilized spears to hunt aquatic life. Said spears are also useful for driving away predators, as a well-sharpened spear can deter even the hungriest of Great Leotams. Most interestingly, however, is a new function for the spear not seen before in its ancestors. Whenever excess meat is acquired, such as a nest of Gossalizards or the freshly discovered corpse of a Megalosheh, a Shrogre will attempt to preserve it for lean times. To do so, they will sharpen both ends of a spear, skewer either entire prey items or parts of them upon it, then plant the spear somewhere where it will receive direct sunlight, that way the prey will dry out before it has a chance to rot. While such a preservation method only lasts for a limited period of time, some younger generations of Shrogre have been noted to associate this "jerky" lasting longer if it has been washed in seawater first.

While Seashrogs also accomplish a similar task of preserving food, the utilization of salt by them is more of a passive occurrence due to the splashing of waves against their ships rather than any active effort on their end. Nonetheless, both species have accomplished this similar goal, even if they have achieved it via different means.

Nest
Given their larger size compared to their Seashrog ancestors, the Shrogre require an equally larger nest to dwell in. Given their land bound nature, their nests are no designed to float on the open sea nor facilitate the act of spearfishing. As such, there is no longer a deck, and thus the overall structure more resembles the nests that Tamjacks built, given its large, dome-like appearance, though one that is often based around a large stone or, on rare occasions, tree(s) for added support. These nests are often built within more sparsely forested regions, such as the edges of the chaparral that dominate a good portion of the island, as the more open spaces allow a greater freedom of movement for Shrogres. This has the unintended consequences of hindering the expansion of the forests, as the foraging of Shrogres limits the amount of new saplings that would otherwise begin to spread into the chaparral.

Once a suitable spot is located, construction begins with a mated pair of Shrogres felling several sizable trees - preferably those such as Obsidibarrages, Mainland Fuzzpalms, and immature Obsiditalls - with the aid of the axe-tails. Once this is accomplished, the trees will be dragged to the nesting site and, thanks to the Shrogres great strength and the flexible capacity of the tree trunks themselves, bended into half-circles and forming the ribs of the nest.

After the structure has settled for a bit, the Shrogres will continue their efforts by applying smaller tree trunks or the shredded remnants of them along the outsides of the nest, securing and sealing them together with an identical glue-like substance the Seashrogs use - a mixture of their own saliva and the berries of the Mainland Fuzzpalm. Following this, more will be utilized as an additional layer of Obsiditall and Obsidibarrage leaves are attached to the roof of structure, forming a barrier that will help prevent rain from leaking in. Spears will often be arranged around the base of the nest, save for a spot for an opening covered in further leaves. These spears not only deter other creatures from wandering into the nests, but also serve as storage spots for drying food on.

With the outside of the nest completed, it is time for the inside to be completed. While the nest is sizable on its own, it is further expanded by some light burrowing that typically consist of removing a few meters of soil beneath it, though leaving enough to support the foundation, which is often reinforced with additional, smaller tree trunks. Side chamber may be excavated, and these are often used for either further food storage or for storing excess building materials. A layer of soft bedding is placed throughout the interior, typically consisting of a variety of leaves from nearby flora that have been allowed to dry out sufficiently beforehand.

A completed nest can last for many years, as long as it is routinely reinforced and patched up.

Relationship with Other Species
Interestingly, Shrogre do not hunt Spotted Saucebacks despite their small size and, on the former's part, an ancestral enmity with a related species. In fact, they appear almost amused by their antics, and will watch them for hours at a time as the little hunters run about in their packs. Shrogres even go so far a to allow them to live within their nests and feed from their preserved food stock. While this is a good deal for the Spotted Sauceback, their presence does benefit the Shrogres a well, since they help to keep the nests clear of small pests.

Combined with the landmark image, this makes for such an interesting floating grassland/forest making species, ripe for colonization.

I really like this. Such a beautiful, misty seascape of floating habitats.

I'm a little late to this, but I would offer the Velocidohve as a brainy fauna as well, with this line:

"Their presence is causing a noticeable shift in species populations within the regions they inhabit. Their quick nature, combined with their pack hunting and larger brains, allows them to more easily outmaneuver and outsmart the local thornbacks. Taking turns, some members of a pack will distract the adults, while the rest will go on to gorge themselves on the cryobowl-bound offspring. Because of this, thornback species that still perform this style of breeding are becoming increasingly rare. If they do not adapt in time, there is little doubt that extinction lies in their futures."

They utilize pack tactics and tricks to distract thornbacks away from their nests.

Oh now this is lovely. Truly this age of sea monsters is growing more and more expansive with just how many large beasts are filling out the oceans.

Made the edit, and yes, hopefully these will add to the uniqueness of the peaks and perhaps encourage others to make similar peak-dwelling microorganisms.

Chitjornacle (Loricatorumons flosclypeus)

Creator: Nergali
Ancestor: Chitjorns
Habitat: Dixon-Darwin Boreal, North Dixon Alpine, South Dixon Alpine, Verserus Alpine, Darwin Alpine, North Dixon Peak, Central Dixon Peak, South Dixon Peak, Verserus Peak, South Darwin Peak, North Darwin Peak
Size: 10 mm Tall
Diet: Photosynthesis
Reproduction: Asexual Budding, Fast Breeder

Chitjorns as a whole are naturally well adapted for eking out an existence under the harshest of conditions. They thrive with little soil, and can even grow on an otherwise barren rock. They have been known to withstand both baking beneath a hot desert sun or the freezing air of a snow-laden tundra, and some are even to be found upon the ocean floor of various shallow seas and sea mounts. It's all thanks to their sturdy chitinous shells, which serve to protect them not only from the elements, but from grazing herbivores as well. As such, it was only a matter of time before one of their number began to adapt and evolve in order to conquer the highest peaks of Sagan IV - in this case, the many mountains of the Dixon-Darwin supercontinent.

The Chitjornacles are the descendant of this pioneering Chitjorn species. Adapted to the high altitudes of the mountainous peaks they call home, they have evolved even thicker shells in order to protect themselves from the powerful blowing gales, the bone-chilling cold, and even the less filtered UV radiation that constantly bombard them. Their darker coloration allows them to absorb more heat from the sun which can then be retained better within their sealed shells, even despite their small size. Because of the lack of CO2 and essential nutrients, the Chitjornacles have shrunken in size so as to require less resources. When they inevitably spread down into the more hospitable regions of the mountains they call home, such as those of the alpine and boreal, they retained this small size due to the presence of already larger flora, including other Chitjorn species.

New buds will primarily form on the central "plate" that forms the top of the Chitjornacle, though some will form along the edges of their base. They are little more than a tiny green sphere in shape, and those that grow atop are readily dislodged by gusts of wind, which aids in their dispersal. Those that grow along the base, however, are much more sturdy in their positioning and will rarely be dislodged. This allows them to form steadily spreading patches that, as a whole, increase the survival chances of each individual by reducing the chance of dislodging.

Made the fix, and thanks. Hopefully this will encourage more floral growth in the region.

Alpfrond (Monspeculo nixherba)

Creator: Nergali
Ancestor: Glaalgaes
Habitat: Dixon-Darwin Boreal, North Dixon Alpine, South Dixon Alpine, Verserus Alpine, Darwin Alpine, Raptor Volcanic
Size: 80 cm Tall
Diet: Photosynthesis
Reproduction: Asexual Budding (Airborne Buddings)

With such little large flora growing within the alpine regions of Dixon and Darwin, the ancestors of what would one day become the Alpfrond began to evolve. Once a species within the Glaalgae genus, it grew large as it began to exploit a niche that, up until that point in the history of the region, had only been utilized by such species as the Lacy-Leaf Obsiditree. As it was able to handle harsher temperature drops higher up the mountainsides, however, it was able to avoid coming into direct competition with those black flora. Much like its ancestral kin, the Alpfrond is well adapted to life under cold, harsh conditions. As such, it been able to thrive within the mountainous regions of Sagan IV. With time, they spread throughout the neighboring regions as well, eventually coming to dominate most of the cooler interior of the Dixon-Darwin supercontinent.

One major adaptation that has led to the success of the Alpfrond over its smaller kin is the evolution involving both its reproductive strategy and its chitinous exterior. The small outgrowths, that will potentially one day grow into new individuals, are covered in long strands of feathery fronds. These filaments are lightweight, and catch even the lightest of breezes with ease. Combined with the tiny size of the budlings, they are swept up into the air and can be carried away for miles before eventually settling down. Should they find a suitable spot with enough soil and nutrients to sustain them, they will eventually grow up and reach maturity over the course of several winters.

The chitinous lenses of the Alpfronds are more opaque than those of their ancestors. As such, their ability to melt snow and heat up the surrounding soil is greatly reduced, at least to a degree. While they are still able to get ample amounts of water from this, they no longer pose much of a threat to other flora. As such, wherever an Alpfrond is to be found, one can often find a lush assortment of smaller flora flourishing around it as they exploit the better growing conditions and access to liquid water.

Should they not succumb to either environmental conditions, disease or herbivory, an Alpfrond can potentially live to be over 300 years old, if not longer.

Updated now.

Still in a WIP as the title says, need to finalize diet and habitats, as well as expand the description.

Bargeskin (Aquatyrannus bullasanguis)

Creator: Nergali
Ancestor: Shipper Bubbleskin
Habitat: South Jujubee Temperate Ocean (Sunlight Zone), Jujubee Tropical Ocean (Sunlight Zone), North Jujubee Temperate Ocean (Sunlight Zone), Jujubee Ocean (Twilight Zone)
Size: 85 cm Long
Diet: Carnivore (Krillpedes, Red Phantomsquid, Deep Ribbon Gilltail, Scuttleball Gillfin, Cerulean Gillfin, Southern Gillfin, Diamond Pumpgill, Floating Pumpgill, Gulperpump, South Polar Shardgill, Southern Strainerbeak, Bigmouth Strainerbeak juveniles), Scavenger
Reproduction: Sexual, Two Genders, Live Birth

Descended from the Shipper Bubbleskins that began to venture further away from the coastlines, the Bargeskins have completely split away from them and have since become fully aquatic in nature. Such a change in habitat has of course led to several notable changes in their morphology, the most prominent of which is the reduction in size of the eponymous bubble-like skin protrusions that cover their hides in order to become more hydrodynamic. Another major evolutionary adaptation is the structure of their feet - no longer adapted for terrestrial movement, the toes have become more flexible and are now connected to one another by a thick webbing. Finally, and perhaps most drastically of all, the Bargeskins have lost the more specialized diets of their kin, and need not consume large volumes of blood to sustain themselves, instead taking to hunting prey like other marine predators do. Such a shift in diet has allowed them to become larger and bulkier than the Shipper Bubbleskins, as they now able to sustain larger fat reserves to only provide themselves with warmth and protection, but also to sustain themselves during leaner times where other Bubbleskins would have starved to death with their nutrient-poor diets.

As they no longer need to return to the land, not even to give birth, Bargeskins have had to adapt to this behavior accordingly. Their gestation periods, for example, have become much more prolonged. Now lasting upwards to a year and half in length for the mothers, this lengthier growing period gives ample time for the both the limbs and internal organs - the lungs most importantly - of the fetal shrew to develop and mature to a point where they are capable of swimming within seconds of being born. This drastically increases their chances of survival, which are only furthered by the nurturing behavior of their mothers. They will aid them in this vulnerable moment, helping them breach the surface by lifting them up upon their heads, so that they may take their first breath. Lungs filled with air, they will go one to stick close to the sides of mothers for the first year of their lives. On rare occasions the adult males may also take part in raising the young, though for the most part they often part ways with females soon after mating.

Juvenile Bargeskins are known as Skiffs. As they are raised by their mothers - and on occasion, their fathers as well - they learn a variety of valuable skills, such as how to hunt and how to socialize with others of its kind. Playful and all too curious to the point of exploring Seashrog nests and trailing Lynbakrs, they are rarely confronted, for they almost always under the constant supervision of their all too protectives mothers. So fierce is the bond between mother and child that few creatures would dare try to get in-between them. Those that would do so, or dare to even attempt to harm the young Skiff, will quite quickly learn the error of their ways as they suffer a vicious mauling from an all too protective mother who is willing to take on predators nearly thrice her size.

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Thanks to TheBigDeepCheatsy for helping me come up with a name for this species.

This is pretty cute. Gives me a bit of a chinchilla vibe.

EDIT: Just remembered the animal known as a Pika.

The later.

Edited the image a bit.

Wasn't intended to, since we could always use more plankton, so I've clarified in the description.

Yep. As seen in this image, this one is just about to lunge forward, and has opened its jaws in anticipation.

Ah, thanks. I made the edits. I saw the description of the Flabnose, with its lure-like "nose", I figured an angler fish-like species had potential in this.

Lureflab (Nasumicaptat serpereharenae)

Creator: Nergali
Ancestor: Flabnose
Habitat: Adult: Soma Temperate Coast, North LadyM (Twilight Zone), North Jujubee (Twilight Zone), Drake (Twilight Floor), Drake (Twilight Slope), Dixon-Darwin (Twilight Floor), Dixon-Darwin (Twilight Slope), Flisch Twilight Sea Mount, Russ Twilight Sea Mount, Sparks Twilight Sea Mount; Larvae: Soma Temperate Coast, North LadyM Temperate Ocean (Sunlight Zone), North Jujubee Temperate Ocean (Sunlight Zone)
Size: 30 cm Long
Diet: Adult: Carnivore (Miniswarmers, Scuttlers, Krillpedes, Frabukis, Flat Swarmer, Flabnose, Blister, Shoalrorm, Rojula, South Polar Shardgill, Deep Ribbon Gilltail); Larvae: Planktivore
Reproduction: Sexual, Spawning, 2 Genders

Splitting from its ancestor, the Lureflab has since spread throughout the seafloor along the coastlines of both Drake and northern edge of Dixon-Darwin. Like the Flabnose, it is an ambush predator, waiting upon the seafloor until something small enough approaches, upon which it can be swallowed whole. However, while its kin utilized the flitting of its tiny, nose-like protrusion to lure in potential prey, the Lureflab has evolved a much more pronounced, complicated structure to aid it in hunting, which has greatly improved its success. Adorned with multiple fleshy, colorful bits which it shakes with sharp bobs of its "nose", the sudden movements attract a wide variety of tiny prey items, such as curious Miniswarmers and Gilltails. Lacking teeth, the Lureflab must rely instead upon the flexing of its five tail-tentacles to launch it forward, an action that is so quick that most prey never even realize what has happened until it is too late.

Blending into the seafloor with its sand-colored skin, has evolved a few adaptations that help to aid it in its environment. The fins and tail-tentacles have become larger, thicker, and overall much more muscular. So much so, in fact, that they spend the majority of their lives upon the seafloor, only making brief forays into the open water when in need of finding new hunting grounds or mates. Otherwise, they crawl slowly along the bottom, ever watchful of potential predators. If they are spotted, though, they will vomit up a foul-smelling, black substance composed mostly of a half-digested food and stomach acids in an attempt to distract and/or disorientate the threat while they awkwardly swim away.

Spawning occurs during the full moon, during which numerous individuals will rise up off the seafloor and into the water column. As they flit about, dancing almost with one another as they release their gametes as they do so, they are ever wary of Scylarians and other large predators. The resulting fertilized eggs will float to the surface, where they will then hatch within a few days. The larval offspring will remain within the plankton, feeding on other, even smaller organisms, until they large enough - typically 1 to 2 cm long - to descend to the seafloor and begin hunting as the fully grown adults do.

- - -

Thanks to Disgustedorite for helping to come up with a name for this.

I think we should fix that with the next week. Perhaps a new title for differently temperature volcanic regions?

Also, what an amazing lump of fluff we have here.

Oh, a "feathered serpent". I like it.

I'm certain that these will develop a lovely relationship with the Cleaner Ukneuk... and a much lesser one with the Bludblugs.

Great to see you back Hydro!