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But growing a cellulose-based exoskeleton is neither energy-intensive nor temporarily disabling.

QUOTE (Disgustedorite @ Aug 21 2021, 04:10 PM)

But growing a cellulose-based exoskeleton is neither energy-intensive nor temporarily disabling.

Alright, how should I modify the reproduction section then?

For my Parr I think that it makes more sense to retcon thr alleged pupal.stage out of the lineage in full rather than to try to do a 'reality suddenly sets in' evolution which I generally don't approve of as they break suspense of disbelief too much.

I think what could qualify what dorite is getting at would be saying they going into a hibernation in a protective nest in which they rapidly metamorphose into their adult form.
Think like a frog growing in a slime ball instead of a maggot in a pupa.

Personally I think we could have an exoskeleton that allows for a pupa and full shedding, but it would have a cellulose base and more complex structure.

For the moment, I'm more inclined with the removing the pupa from the lineage, and using this post to figure out what the retcon is gonna be

As I think I said before, a cellulose-based exoskeleton would not be disabling nor need to be shed because it's flexible--there would not need to be any dramatic changes in musculature from the soft-bodied larva--and it can grow without shedding, as seen in tunicates, real world animals with cellulose-based exoskeletons. Therefore, a continuous growth of cellulose plates or thickening of existing skin into a cellulose-based exoskeleton would be realistic.

Also, I just noticed, the art of the larva is actually completely inaccurate--cloudswarmer larvae (at least of this side of cloudswarmer evolution) have 4 flippers, not 2. The artwork for the cloudswarmers genus group is inaccurate and depicts another annoying case of "atavism larvae".

QUOTE (Disgustedorite @ Aug 22 2021, 05:07 PM)

As I think I said before, a cellulose-based exoskeleton would not be disabling nor need to be shed because it's flexible--there would not need to be any dramatic changes in musculature from the soft-bodied larva--and it can grow without shedding, as seen in tunicates, real world animals with cellulose-based exoskeletons. Therefore, a continuous growth of cellulose plates or thickening of existing skin into a cellulose-based exoskeleton would be realistic. Also, I just noticed, the art of the larva is actually completely inaccurate--cloudswarmer larvae (at least of this side of cloudswarmer evolution) have 4 flippers, not 2.

I looked at the closest relatives to this species that show a larvae, and they looked pretty much like this(except they were green)

The discussion happened on discord, long story short the genus group has an inaccuracy and cloudswarmers having normal swarmers as babies makes no sense.

Then, as the discussion has expanded beyond the borders of this submission, I'll approve it.

QUOTE (MNIDJM @ Aug 22 2021, 07:47 PM)

Then, as the discussion has expanded beyond the borders of this submission, I'll approve it.

OviFan has not updated the image and changes still need to be made. Undo that.

So on the discord there was a bit of conflict on how I should address the larval form on whether it should have four fins or not due to its ancestry. So I’m just popping in here to ask if anything has changed. Like can I post the image or do I keep the original two finned version?

I still say two fins as larva, with the second growing in at puberty

Alright, anyone object to this?

If not, then how should I edit the description?

QUOTE (OviraptorFan @ Aug 28 2021, 10:59 PM)

Alright, anyone object to this? If not, then how should I edit the description?

Should I just say that the larval form slowly grows in the armor and the second pair of fins buds out?

Sure that would be fine