Icebreaker Missilehead
Missilocephalus diffringoglacialis is a species of Missilicephalid Dipressioductid amphibian of the southern ice sheet of the arctic ocean.
The species can be found in the third to the fourth unit of the sheet, where the ice is thick enough as to be difficult to see through but not enough as to be unbreakable by its charge.
It will prowl large sections of the sheet swimming on its side with the mouth open, using the eye pointed upward to look for the shadow of animals on the surface and the open mouth to better hear eventual footsteps reverberating on the ice.
When the animal finds a target, it will go deeper to prepare its charge.
By using the two enlarged pressure jets, the animal propels itself at high speeds against the ice, breaking its surface violently and letting the weight of its prey finish the work, making it fall into the cold waters below for easy picking.
The animal will also hunt underwater although it's much more specialized for its ice-breaking lifestyle.
The cranial armour and bones adapted to absorb the impact perfectly, redirecting most of it to the lateral columns, leaving the spinal cord I virtually untouched and thus protecting the spinal cerebrum from concussions.
M. diffringoglacialis will use already opened pathways to the surface to hunt for flying animals as well, propelling itself out of the water and high above the water surface to catch flying animals midflight, it will then use the large Anal I fins to slowly crawl back into the water if falling headfirst into the ice below wasn't enough to open a new hole to directly enter the water again.
Given its hunting tactic, the animal's armour won't stop growing during its life, constantly sharpening itself by growing new layers over the broken and blunted ones.
Being a very lonesome animal, the species won't tolerate conspecifics, often chasing them away from their territories or outright killing and eating them, if given the chance.
M. diffringoglacialis averages 4 deaths a year among the few researchers or other people visiting the arctic but the number could be higher if the sheet was more densely inhabited.
It is always recommended to stay still and silent if you see the shadow under you, this way the animal won't be able to tell you from a plant and thus won't waste energy on a gamble.
Running is extremely ill-advised, the animal will be able to predict your trajectory by the sound of your footsteps and will break the ice in front of you.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Head rounded and frontally pointed, eye small compared to armour.
- Postcranial armour composed by two Dorsal plates and two Ventral ones.
- All armour thin and sharp on its external layer.
- Dentition composed of many small teeth, incisors larger and slightly pointed outward.
- Pressure Jets large and long, running from the pectoral fin to the middle of the back.
- Pectoral fins oriented downward and very small compared to the body.
- Anal I fins very articulated, able to move to an horizontal position and make a sideway movement to allow the animal to crawl on land efficiently.
- Anal II fins similar in articulation to the first but much smaller.
- Dorsal I much larger than the second.
- Anal I, Pectorals & Dorsal I fins six digited.
- Anal II & Dorsal II four digited.
- Gill tail short and roughly the same size and height of the body, ending in a very low Gill Fan with a very smooth caudal drop.
Genetics and Reproduction
Seasonally monogamous species.
M. diffringoglacialis mates in Early spring, when several Cnidarovertebrate species migrate south to mate from the thick mountainous areas of the inner circle.
The species will select its mate a few months before the mating period, taking their time bonding by hunting together and sharing territories.
When the first migration comes, the already established couples will mate to hatch their eggs before the third migratory wave.
This particular species lacks clear distinctions between Active Males and Passive Females as both members of the couple will behave in the same way down to both fertilizing the other during mating.
The animal only makes between one to three cubs each.
The eggs take three weeks to hatch but the young will only reach maturity in late summer.
The offspring will follow the parents until they're big enough to become a potential competitor to the latter, at which point the family group will be disbanded.
Growth Rate & Stages
Ontogeny in the species very marked.
Hatchlings are born with very little armour and a much more fin propelled lifestyle compared to the adults.
During the first few months of life, until the armour grows, they'll hunt in the water small Cinerichthyds and Esavelids.
Natal aculeus is absorbed into the first dorsal prey during growth.
Ecology and Habitats
Epipelagic species of the first water layer, from 5 to 50 m deep.
It lives right under the ice sheet from the third to the fourth unit.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Predatorial species specialized on hunting land animals by craking the ice underneath their feet.
During its life, the animal will shift diet and behavioral patterns in accordance to size, armour sharpness and age:
- During the first months of life, the animal will hunt mostly underwater, preferring small Cinerichthyds and Esavelids.
- Sub-adults to adults will hunt by impacting the ice, targeting land animals such as Eldritch Striders.
- Elder specimens, which will have blunt armours, will most often turn back to hunting underwater or looking for already opened paths to the surface to hunt for flying prey, a thing not unique to elders but surely perfected by that age.
Biological Cycle
Seasonal species with low activity periods in the winter, it will be active all year long but see a gradual decline leading up to the winter season.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Lonesome animal outside of the mating period.
It doesn't tolerate conspecifics large enough as to represent competition for food.
During the mating period they'll briefly show gregarious behavior in the shape of small family groups.
The species has a tendency for cannibalizing younger specimens when large enough.
Domestication
Impossible to keep in captivity due to its hunting behavior and environmental needs.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
No human usage of the species.
Considered a dangerous species, the most human use the species has is being spotlighted and demonized by media for sensationalistic documentaries like the infamous series "The savage nature of Nijin-Konai", which described the species as "Cruel, murderous and merciless".
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Outer Arctic from the third to fourth unit of the sheet.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Very good eyesight and excellent hearing.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Afflicted by Intestinal Tube Worms and parasitic amphibians.
Scientific Name
Pressionatatia; Dipressioductata; Missilimorpha; Missilocephaloidea ; Missilicephalidae; Missilocephalus; M. diffringoglacialis
Lifespan
60 Years
Conservation Status
Data deficient: the species has not been studied well enough as to assess its numbers properly.
Population Trend: UNKNOWN
Average Weight
200-500 kg
Average Length
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Sea foam to Cyan body colour, armour azure to aquamarine, borded in the same colour as the body.
Ventral section of the tail darker blue to purple.
Body striped in a lighter azure.
Fins lime to light green.
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