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Maineiac Cocobarrage (Negrocaeus salobsitus)
Creator: Bufforpington
Ancestor: Cocobarrage
Habitat: Maineiac Polar Beach
Size: 3.5 m Tall
Diet: Photosynthesis
Reproduction: Sexual, Airborne Cylindrical Spores

The Maineiac Cocobarrage split from its ancestor. They first arrived at Maineiac island when some cocobarrage spore chambers managed to float across the ocean; being pushed by a warm current. The handful of spore chambers that washed up on Maineaic's beaches released the last of their spores. While the specimens on Maineiac Temperate beach fared well, the specimens growing on Maineiac Polar Beach did poorly, as the trees quickly died off from the cold weather and shorter days. However, a few of the cocobarrages that sprouted possessed features that allowed them to survive in the harsh environment; with one subspecies being smaller and stouter than their ancestor and the other losing its leaves and hibernating during the winter. While many of these mutant cocobarrages died off, some of them managed to hybridize and became the maineiac cocobarrage.

In addition to their shorter, stouter body and their ability to hibernate, the maineiac cocobarrage evolved a new way to cope with the salty environment. It now coats its leaves and trunk with a thin layer of salt. This salt is excreted with water from small pores in the tree's leaves and trunk. With it still being cold during the summer, the brine helps melt any frost that can potentially form on it. The salt layer also helps protect it from parasites like sapshrooms and sappros, as they will anchor into the salt instead of the actual trunk or leaves, and die from the lack of nutrients and overexposure to high concentrations of salt. The high concentrations of salt also makes it dangerous for herbivores to eat, as the layer of salt can make whatever eats it sick. However, the salt does make photosynthesis harder, as it blocks; or rather reflects some sunlight. Fortunately, its large leaves are enough for it to compensate with the salt. However, the salt doesn't make it immune to all herbivores and parasites, as its spore chambers aren't covered in salt and thus, are vulnerable to herbivores and parasites. Because they rely so much on salt, they are almost never found far from the shoreline.

When winter arrives on Maineiac Polar Beach, there is little to no sunlight; making photosynthesis impossible. Thus, the maineiac cocobarrage goes into hibernation. Over the spring, summer, and fall, it will soak up as much energy as possible, which it stores into its thick trunk. When winter begins, it will shed its leaves and slow its metabolism. the only thing it will continue to do is excrete brine, protecting it from being damaged by frost. Because it stores so much of its energy in its trunk, it grows very slowly.

During the summer, mature mainieac cocobarrages will produce spore-filled spore chambers. These chambers are virtually the same as their ancestors' spore chambers. However, they are much more hardier; being able to last for years. This allows them to survive cold summers, which would spell disaster for any sapling. The spore chambers now grow underneath the leaves, partially sheltering them from the elements. Because the maineiac cocobarrage grows so close to the ground, their spore chambers rarely get washed into the ocean.

MNIDJM, would this be allowed? I know currents could move the seeds to this region, but is that something that should occur at the beginning of a generation or week? Other than that, I don't have any problems with this.

This might be in violation of the Island Migration rule. I'll reach out to Hydro for clarification.