Munmask
Name means: Mouth Worm
Due to the abundance of flora and lack of dedicated herbivores in the young oceans of Sighsten, some populations of Bottenmask have specialized for such a purpose. There are, however, two difficulties when trying to digest the fibrous plant matter: chewing off digestible chunks and extracting nutrients from said chunks. The first issue was resolved by the appearance of a flexible mouth in the now-called Munmask population. They use this structure to isolate a piece of a Solätare or Microbial Mat, and then release enzymes in tandem with tugging on the plant to break off a mouthful. The nugget of nutrients will then pass through the first portion of the organism's digestive tract until winding up in a specialized cavity. This section of the Munmask's digestive system, henceforth called the stomach, possesses an acidic solution. Here, the digested matter will be dissolved up to the point where it passes through the exit and into the rest of the digestive system. There, nutrients will be dislodged from the chunk by enzymes and absorbed into the organism's body through the surrounding membrane. The problem is that the sugars and other nutrients present in the plant fibers take time to extract, even when previously dissolved in acid. It is therefore important that the digested matter remains within the organism until most of the nutrients have been absorbed. Otherwise, the Munmask would have to waste energy on re-eating its excrement and lose some pieces in the process. The organism could evolve a slow metabolism, but this would prove disadvantageous during high-stress situations such as males rushing to fertilize a cluster of eggs or to reach cover when a storm approaches. Instead, Munmasks grow longer over time, extending the length of their digestive tract in the process.
Thanks to the abundant new food source, the Munmasks would also increase in size as well as length. An increased size allows them, and especially females, to eat more and store more energy in their flesh. Thus ensuring larger and healthier clutches. The added mass would, however, decrease the efficiency of their previous way of locomotion. Instead, their musculature has developed further. Thereby allowing them to stretch and bend their flexible forms towards whatever object catches their interest. They may also undulate side-to-side to propel themselves through the open waters. Although this movement is costly in terms of energy, Therefore mostly used in high-stakes situations. The preferred locomotion of Munmasks is to lengthen their body and then retract in a worm-like motion. Furthermore, the digestive system of Munmasks relies on their muscles to push chunks through the organism since the cilia that Bottenmask used were only effective on smaller scales.
Due to the abundance of flora and lack of dedicated herbivores in the young oceans of Sighsten, some populations of Bottenmask have specialized for such a purpose. There are, however, two difficulties when trying to digest the fibrous plant matter: chewing off digestible chunks and extracting nutrients from said chunks. The first issue was resolved by the appearance of a flexible mouth in the now-called Munmask population. They use this structure to isolate a piece of a Solätare or Microbial Mat, and then release enzymes in tandem with tugging on the plant to break off a mouthful. The nugget of nutrients will then pass through the first portion of the organism's digestive tract until winding up in a specialized cavity. This section of the Munmask's digestive system, henceforth called the stomach, possesses an acidic solution. Here, the digested matter will be dissolved up to the point where it passes through the exit and into the rest of the digestive system. There, nutrients will be dislodged from the chunk by enzymes and absorbed into the organism's body through the surrounding membrane. The problem is that the sugars and other nutrients present in the plant fibers take time to extract, even when previously dissolved in acid. It is therefore important that the digested matter remains within the organism until most of the nutrients have been absorbed. Otherwise, the Munmask would have to waste energy on re-eating its excrement and lose some pieces in the process. The organism could evolve a slow metabolism, but this would prove disadvantageous during high-stress situations such as males rushing to fertilize a cluster of eggs or to reach cover when a storm approaches. Instead, Munmasks grow longer over time, extending the length of their digestive tract in the process.
Thanks to the abundant new food source, the Munmasks would also increase in size as well as length. An increased size allows them, and especially females, to eat more and store more energy in their flesh. Thus ensuring larger and healthier clutches. The added mass would, however, decrease the efficiency of their previous way of locomotion. Instead, their musculature has developed further. Thereby allowing them to stretch and bend their flexible forms towards whatever object catches their interest. They may also undulate side-to-side to propel themselves through the open waters. Although this movement is costly in terms of energy, Therefore mostly used in high-stakes situations. The preferred locomotion of Munmasks is to lengthen their body and then retract in a worm-like motion. Furthermore, the digestive system of Munmasks relies on their muscles to push chunks through the organism since the cilia that Bottenmask used were only effective on smaller scales.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Bottenmasks reproduced by the female laying her eggs whenever she was ready, and the closest male came by to either fertilize them or eat them. In the case of Munmasks, the females still lay their eggs in sticky piles whenever they are able to. The males, on the other hand, have grown more competitive. They will therefore kick into high gear whenever they smell an egg cluster and swim at full speed towards it in hopes of being the one to spread their genes. To aid in this, Munmasks are sexually dimorphic, with males being smaller and possessing flatter and broader rear ends that increase swim speed. In contrast, females are larger and have round rears, since their primary goal is to eat and store energy to lay a large and healthy clutch of eggs.
Growth Rate & Stages
The incubation time depends heavily on the species and can be only a couple of hours to several weeks. Once hatched, the juveniles will immediately swim towards the upper water columns to avoid predators such as Huvudmask. To achieve this, all Munmask begin their lives as males with the flattened rear end. Thus, allowing them to swim through the open waters where they will primarily consume unicellular Solätare and Grönutankärna, but other microscopic organisms may also be eaten. Eventually, they will grow large enough to safely traverse the ocean floor and take part in the abundant Plattblad and Microbial Mats. It is then up to the individual, based on various factors such as food availability and concentration of the same sex, whether or not they should change their sex from male to a larger female. For most species, especially the larger or more dimorphic, it is impossible for a female to turn back into a male since that would require a tremendous loss of mass.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Munmasks are, for all intents and purposes, blind and deaf, mainly relying on smell and touch to navigate their environment. They can detect fluctuations in the water and light through their skin. They would not, however, be able to differentiate these sounds and lights as anything more than loud or bright, alternatively quiet and dark.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Average Length
Up to twenty centimeters
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