Spotted Snake-Jetter
Caligoserpens crepusculi is a deep-sea amphibian from the Nuwadi ocean.
As a "Jetter", these amphibians move thanks to a specialized organ on top of the head that evolved to create and use powerful water flow to propel the animal forward; the fins are used exclusively to steer the animal while moving and keeping balance when idle.
Being very social, they live in large groups composed of Sexually active and parthenogenetic members; in a healthy school of C. crepusculi we should see a steady balance between parthenogenic and sexual individuals (being 3:1).
As every year the animal procreates, some of the members will procreate with themselves (Through self-insemination), giving birth to Parthenogenetic offspring, these cloned individuals are sterile and are used by the group as living shields against predators.
Parthenogenetic offspring are born without genitalia and will, therefore, have no interest in procreating, preferring to stay on the outer section of the school where they are more exposed to possible threats.
The role of these asexual individuals is that of ensuring the sexually active ones' survival through the means of self-sacrifice.
These animals evolved a colour-coding bioluminescent system to differentiate the various members of the group; alphas (or active males) have a strong red colouration along the sides, betas (or passive females) have a purple colouration on the sides, parthenogenetic specimens have a green colouration to the sides (colour most commonly used in the depths by predators, ensuring they will be more visible than the other members the bioluminescent spots on the body are produced by bacteria feasting on microbial algae growing along the sides of the body; depending on the single specimen they will produce a different growing substrate for the algae, attracting different bacteria which in turn results in a different light colour.
These animals ingest their prey whole, the meal will then be stored in the now enlarged stomach, which will slowly digest the enormous mass of nutrients contained within; the stomach, once enlarged can be as big as the animal itself.
While not the tastiest meat, C. crepusculi is still consumed by the high bourgeoisie as a rare dish, since fishing this animal is difficult as it only lives at depths below 900 m.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Head sub-piramidal with large, round, eyes; armor fused.
- Two large frontal teeth come out of the Dentary bone.
- Body very streamlined and hydronynamic, ensuring better speed and less resistance.
- Presence of a long jet growing from the tip of the premaxilla and ending halfway through the body.
- Stomach enlarges even to ba as big as the animal itself to accomodate food.
- Fins reduced and rayed, made mostly for steering.
- Gill tail short ending in a small Gill fan with s steep caudal drop.
Genetics and Reproduction
Monogamous species.
The species reproduces in mid-winter and mid-summer.
The active males in the group will select the mate based on internal group dynamics to us yet to fully understand; from the little we know it seems the mate is chosen between a certain internal hierarchy on food dominance and chemical receptibility of the single specimen.
Passive females of higher standing in the group will be the most contested, with active males often fighting over mating rights with them.
Fights are often between two active males, who will use the fully extended parapenis to hit the opposing duellist, always pointing for the eyes; there are two ways in which an active male can win in a fight:
-the active male hits the opponent's eye, the loser will mate with itself this season, giving birth to parthenogenetic offspring
-the active male inserts its parapenis into the female sexual organ forcibly, forcibly mating with the opponent and subduing him into a passive female status for the season
Only in the second scenario Polygamy is visible in the species as the winner will mate with both the loser and the contested passive female.
In each season there are several individuals of both roles who will mate through auto-insemination, which will give rise to new parthenogenetic offspring as to strengthen the sacrificial shield around the school; among those who mate asexually, there are males who have been defeated, specimens who didn't find a mate, elderly specimens otherwise infertile and some members that are cycling through the asexual reproduction cycle and is now their turn to do so.
As the species is androgynous in nature, the eggs can't be contained in the female duct as it is right next to the male organs; the inseminated individuals will extrude a section of the egg duct and from there create a mucous bubble in which the eggs will be kept and mature; this bubble will stay attached to the parent's body until the eggs are ready to hatch.
The spawn will eat through the eggs and mucus before swimming out free; the ones who managed to eat more of it are more likely to survive and have a higher chance to become active males compared to the ones who fed less from it.
Growth Rate & Stages
The Young specimens are born with more developed fins as, during the younger stages of life, they'll actively swim using their fins.
In later stages, the fins will lose membrane surface and utility, while the Jet develops into its ultimate usage.
In younger stages the animal will also possess extremely enlarged eyes, being almost as big as the head.
Loss of natal aculeus after the second month of life.
Ecology and Habitats
From the deep Mesopelagic to the Bathypelagic zone, found between depths of 900 and 2.000 m.
It prefers dark waters with plenty of currents to take advantage of, they will rest outside of the main current where they'll stay idle for long periods of time.
Rarely seen in the shallow Mesopelagic zone at depths of 500 m (mostly disturbed groups that got lost and confused).
Dietary Needs and Habits
Mostly predatorial species, will eat prey whole and slowly digest it over long periods.
During the winter especially they will assume a more opportunistic approach to their diet, adjusting to the lower amount of prey by feeding on carrion and dead plant matter coming down from the surface.
Biological Cycle
Seasonal species mostly active in the winter and summer.
During spring and autumn they will rest and reduce activity, feeding during early winter and summer in preparation to the mating season.
Additional Information
Social Structure
A very social animal, C. crepusculi lives in big schools even two hundred strong.
The core group is divided into Active males and Passive females; males are usually bigger than females, feature unique to the pressionatatia.
Although males are bigger, the most active members of the group remain the females, who will scout the areas for food and eat before anyone else.
Males will remain in the centre of the shield for most of the time, waiting for the scouting females to return; during the second part of the active season, when the females are incubating the eggs, the roles will switch and the males will scout for food.
The shield which surrounds the group is composed by parthenogenetic offspring; these specimens are born through auto-insemination and will lack any sexual organ, they sport more attractive colours and are sized between a female and a male.
Wherever the group is, it will always be protected by these individuals; some of the parthenogenetic offspring will detach from the group to protect scouts; the only role these specimens have in the social hierarchy is to be sacrificial members to ensure better survival rates for the sexually able specimens.
In a group, the parthenogenetic are always last to eat.
Domestication
Only kept in specialized tanks, these animals are rarely seen outside of public aquariums.
C. crepusculi in captivity demonstrates only a fraction of the social behaviors seen in nature.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Of not very high commercial value, the animal was mostly an accidental catch in fishermen's nets.
Recently it has become moderately popular among the wealthy, raising its interest among the industry to a new level and causing more specialized capturing methods being implemented for it.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Good eyesight and optimal echolocatory capabilities.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Rarely affected by Intestinal Tube Worms; sometimes seen with False tooth parasites.
Scientific Name
Pressionatatia; Monopressioductata; Ampliventeroidea; Caligoserpulidae ; Caligoserpinae; Caligoserpens; C. crepusculi
Lifespan
17 years
Conservation Status
Least Concern: No measures underway to protect the species.
Population trend: STABLE
Average Weight
150 to 600 gr
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Grey body with a darker band going down the body center; armor lighter.
Fins' rays from red to rusty, membrane yellowish to bright orange (the last one is fairly rare though).
Single row of bioluminescent spots going down the body, colour changes depending on the sex and role of the specimen.
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