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Tonguegrooved Locrint (Dimachaerus bilinguis)
Creator: Jarlaxle
Ancestor: Sand Locrint
Habitat: Adults: North Ovi Tropical Scrub, Ovi Tropical Savanna, South Ovi Tropical Scrub, Ovi Tropical Beach, Ovi Subtropical Beach, West Dixon Subtropical Beach; Juveniles: Rose Subtropical River, Ovi Subtropical River, Banelord Subtropical River, Rose Subtropical Watershed, Ovi Tropical Watershed, Banelord Subtropical Watershed, Towel Subtropical Watershed, Niyo Tropical Watershed
Size: 25 cm long (Adults), 50 mm long (Juveniles)
Support: Exoskeleton (Bony Plates)
Diet: Adult: Carnivore (Twistworms, Paneltopedes, Wortopedes, Scorpioworts, Wormback, Scrubwort, Basketeater, Mucus Quataetar, Slooíde, Vinegoon, Talpack Larvae, Golden Notback larvae, Vicious Little Notback Larvae, Scuteback larvae, Asterplent Larvae, Chunky Asterplent Larvae, Tombstone Asterplent Larvae, Palmcap Larvae, Basket Asterplent Larvae, Devourer Asterplent Larvae); Juvenile:Planktivore, Detritivore
Respiration: Active (Back-Lung)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Sexual (Oviparous, 2 sexes)


The Tonguegrooved Locrint has split from its ancestor, specializing in catching prey much smaller than itself, equivalent to the insectivores of another time and place.

Tentacles
Using its upper pincer tentacles, it pierces and poke through underground mounds tunnels, and burrows. It producing a sticky mucus on its lower tentacles to catch as many as it can in one "lick", much like the anteater tongues another time and place. Adapting to use both in tandem, the upper pincer-tentacles has evolved its namesake groove through which the lower tongue-tentacles can extend into the habitat of its prey, and by extending its cheek-noses into the groove, it can smell into the burrow, raising its back plate to can create an intense suction through the groove and pull in additional prey, lining one nostril on the inside of the groove while still maintaining two nostrils outside to watch for danger, along with its flexible eyes.

Digging Toes
To help it search and dig out underground tunnels, it has adapted its forelimbs for digging, extending its palm-plates and claws into large shovels. Each of its palm-plates curves upwards, giving the claws their own muscle attachments that allow each claw to bend independently and aid in poking for tunnels. It will also use its digging capacity defensively, digging multiple burrows in its range to sleep and hide in if threatened.

Respiration
Adapting to the drop in oxygen levels, the back of the lung plate extends slightly into the armor on its side, using it as a fulcrum for two internalized "levers" used for pulling up the plate by muscles attached to the torso. The connection between the front of the lung plate and the armor has extended into flexible tendons, letting the lung plate open up at the front, taking air in. The plate is then pulled down by muscles in front of the plate, scooping down on the air, pushing it out of the side holes between blood vessels stretched between the plate and the back, extending from a heart at the back of the plate. It was this adaptation that allowed the intense suction that made it easier to catch smaller prey.

Mating & Reproduction
As the lower tentacles are hidden the vast majority of the time, they have become the canvas for display colors with minimal disruption for the camouflage. During mating rituals males will take out their lower tongue-tentacles and swing above their heads in a macho display of dexterity and strength. Trying to capture the attention of the female with their bright yellow colors, while female tentacle-tongues are colorless. If the female likes the display, she'll shift her attention to the dentitions in the armor, curving into the body and increasing the surface area for muscle attachment points, they are often considered a sign of fitness.
Evolving a thick hind leg to support itself while digging has allowed it to change the way it reproduces. As the mating pair will hop towards each other, they will tie their tentacle together and use each other for support with their claws, holding each other erect and embracing each other in a hug until they are close enough for a cloacal kiss. Like its ancestor, the male will then leave to seek out other females but will die slightly after, while the female will seek out fresh water to lay her eggs in and die in the process. As they no longer need to siphon water for copulation but still need water for spawning, the females will usually inhabit ranges closer to fresh water sources than the males.

This post has been edited by Jarlaxle: May 23 2023, 06:05 PM

As this is a locrint, I'm kind of glad it doesn't do anything different with its reproduction and pre-adult life cycle... the group has a couple retcons/tweaks that may be made concerning its pupal physiology.

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Feb 15 2023, 12:53 AM)

As this is a locrint, I'm kind of glad it doesn't do anything different with its reproduction and pre-adult life cycle... the group has a couple retcons/tweaks that may be made concerning its pupal physiology.

The only difference is the method of mating, the cloacal kiss/hug.

would that come into conflict with your future retcon?

Nope.

Updated description to fit with recent respiratory changes and clarifications on discord

QUOTE

pushing it out of the side holes through a forest of blood vessels stretching within the chamber between the plate and the back extending from a heart at the back of the plate. It was this adaptation that allowed the intense suction that made it easier to catch smaller prey.

I kind of get the first part of the respiratory adaptation, but this confuses me. “Forest of blood vessels”? What does this have to do with prey capture? Since when is their heart right behind their lung plate?

Side note: either the skin protruding at the “shoulder” has a different color from the face and lung skin, or there’s a new unexplained ring-shaped plate there.

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Mar 6 2023, 02:26 PM)

QUOTE pushing it out of the side holes through a forest of blood vessels stretching within the chamber between the plate and the back extending from a heart at the back of the plate. It was this adaptation that allowed the intense suction that made it easier to catch smaller prey. I kind of get the first part of the respiratory adaptation, but this confuses me. “Forest of blood vessels”?

I was iffy on whether I should use the word "forest", it would look like a forest from the point of view of an air molecule or a bacteria flying through it, but the trees are really just blood vessels stretched from floor to ceiling (the inside of the lung plate). Do you have ideas for better wording?

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Mar 6 2023, 02:26 PM)

What does this have to do with prey capture?

It's explained here:

QUOTE

by extending its cheek-noses into the groove, it can smell into the burrow, raising its back plate to can create an intense suction through the groove and pull in additional prey, lining one nostril on the inside of the groove

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Mar 6 2023, 02:26 PM)

Since when is their heart right behind their lung plate?

This is what we know about its ancestral anatomy:


While it's not entirely clear from the above which of the red blobs is the heart, it is likely to be the one between the "gill lungs" or one of those next to it, placing it right about here:



(in your diagrams)

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Mar 6 2023, 03:00 PM)

Side note: either the skin protruding at the “shoulder” has a different color from the face and lung skin, or there’s a new unexplained ring-shaped plate there.

That is the shoulder opening of the torso plate, not a new plate in itself

This post has been edited by Jarlaxle: Mar 6 2023, 12:47 PM

QUOTE

While it's not entirely clear from the above which of the red blobs is the heart, it is likely to be the one between the "gill lungs" or one of those next to it, placing it right about here:

Did you ask about that? Are you sure it isn't just multiple hearts?

QUOTE

That is the shoulder opening of the torso plate, not a new plate in itself

I already talked about this on the Discord, but for those who don't look at it often, I'll clarify that I meant this:

Fixed for more consistent coloration

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Mar 6 2023, 10:17 PM)

QUOTE While it's not entirely clear from the above which of the red blobs is the heart, it is likely to be the one between the "gill lungs" or one of those next to it, placing it right about here: Did you ask about that? Are you sure it isn't just multiple hearts?

I kept asking the very same question, nobody knows and the only indication we have is that the diagram by the artist who introduced the heart used heart rather then hearts

This post has been edited by Jarlaxle: Mar 6 2023, 02:37 PM

I've only started looking at this one, but I've noticed it says filter-feeding in its diet. I'm not sure how much this is enforced, but some gens ago it was recommended to format it differently. I'll write out an example, which should be more understandable than an explanation; Planktivore (600< μm)

I think I'm going to suggest some things that could be written in clearer ways like Coolsteph normally does.


"using its upper pincer tentacles to pierce and poke through underground mounds tunnels, and burrows..." - This Paragraph is composed of two long sentences, so I think it should be broken apart. This specific sentence also lack a capital.

"the connection between the front of the lung plate and the armor has extended into flexible tendons..." - This sentence could also be shortened.

"During mating rituals males will take out their lower tongue-tentacles..." - This one too.

"she'll shift her attention to the dentitions in the armor, curving into the body and increasing the surface area for muscle attachment points..." - I don't think I understand all of what this sentence is talking about.

"As the mating pair will hop towards each other, they will tie their tentacle together..." - This sentence also needs shortening.


Aside from this, I think this is a great species and think it has good and plausible adaptations, although I'm a bit sad that it's the only Wright Siluro this gen so far. I think everyone else has given good feedback too. I'm not sure about the vascular system either, but personally I assume it could either be one big set of chambers, or it is a series of small hearts along a major artery that may function as one.

QUOTE (Oceansky @ May 9 2023, 02:53 AM)

I think I'm going to suggest some things that could be written in clearer ways like Coolsteph normally does. "using its upper pincer tentacles to pierce and poke through underground mounds tunnels, and burrows..." - This Paragraph is composed of two long sentences, so I think it should be broken apart. This specific sentence also lack a capital. "During mating rituals males will take out their lower tongue-tentacles..." - This one too. "she'll shift her attention to the dentitions in the armor, curving into the body and increasing the surface area for muscle attachment points..." - I don't think I understand all of what this sentence is talking about. "As the mating pair will hop towards each other, they will tie their tentacle together..." - This sentence also needs shortening.

Couldn't quite shorten it overall but I've split the sentences into shorter ones.

QUOTE (Oceansky @ May 9 2023, 02:53 AM)

"she'll shift her attention to the dentitions in the armor, curving into the body and increasing the surface area for muscle attachment points..." - I don't think I understand all of what this sentence is talking about.

Certain areas of the armor curve inwards. these increase the surface area inside the body, in the same way half a sphere has a higher surface area then a a flat circle, and higher surface area means more points for muscles to attach too, so instead of showing the muscular areas through outwards bulging like with vertebrae it shows them with inwards curves, indicated by the thick lines marking the shadows of the curve in the drawing. But I didn't want to lengthen it further and add a whole section about their muscles so instead I added it within the context of a female using those indent curves to check out a male's muscles.

Approval Checklist:
Art:
Art Present?: Yes
Art clear?: No
Gen number?: Yes
All limbs shown?: Yes
Reasonably Comparable to Ancestor?: Yes
Realistic additions?: Unsure

Name:
Binomial Taxonomic Name?: Yes
Creator?: Yes

Ancestor:
Listed?: Yes
What changes?:

• External?: Mouthpart adaptations, bulbous noses, lever-like back, armor grooves, digging claws, tough hide
• Internal?: Heart and back muscle adaptations
• Behavioral/Mental?: Probing burrows, females attracted to armor grooves and colorful tentacles, males wave their lower tentacles as a mating display, mating is done on land

Are Changes Realistic?: Unsure
New Genus Needed?: Yes, its lungs and face are evident enough of this.

Habitat:
Type?: Tropical and Subtropical
Flavor?: Adults: Beach, Mixed, and Steppe, Juveniles: River and Watershed
Connected to Ancestor?: Yes
Contiguous?: Yes
Wildcard?: No

Size:
Same as Ancestor?: No
Within range?: Yes
Exception?: Adults and Juveniles have separate ranges

Support:
Same as Ancestor?: Assumed yes
Does it Fit Lifestyle?: Yes
Does It Fit Size?: Yes
Reasonable changes (if any)?: None
Other?:

Diet:
Same as Ancestor?: No
Transition Rule?: Adults: Omnivore to Carnivore, Juveniles: now filter feed
Reasonable changes (if any)?: It lives in an area with lots of fauna, and its ancestor ate Wortopedes.

Respiration:
Same as Ancestor?: Assumed yes
Does It Fit Habitat?: Yes
Does it Fit Size?: Yes
Reasonable changes (if any)?: None
Other?:

Thermoregulation:
Same as Ancestor?: Assume yes
Does It Fit Habitat?: Yes
Reasonable changes (if any)?:
Other?:

Reproduction:
Same as Ancestor?: Yes
Does It Fit Habitat?: Yes
Reasonable changes (if any)?: Adaptations allowing mating on land.
Other?:

Description:
Length?: Good, though has some run-on sentences, and others that are confusing to read
Capitalized correctly?: Yes
Replace/Split from ancestor?: Split
Other?:

Opinion: Pending The supplementary in the corner is confusing, and the armor grooves look like patterns. I'm also not sure if the suction and how their nostrils look are perfectly plausible due to their anatomy. I'm also not fully sure what everything on this template is for, so somebody else who knows more than me would be of help.