Winged Guardian
Terástioikofýlax recondĭtus is one of the many mysterious inhabitants of the Cold Kings Trench.
Although only ever sighted a handful of times, we know this animal to be a very slow swimmer, keeping close to the cliffsides and hardly ever wandering away from them.
It likes to ambush hunt from the safety of the small cavities in the cliffs he calls home, resting for long periods of time to save energy and only ever sprinting when prey is really close by.
The amphibian lost its eyes in favor of a more precise electrolocatory apparatus, giving it the uncanny capability of perceiving prey through objects, as long as there is a strong enough electrical current coming from the possible prey and water to submerge it.
Known to be cannibalistic towards smaller specimens, especially during the changing of the territories, when some of the members of the species leave their nest to find a new one.
Even though most people would say they'd be quite distant, T. recondĭtus is related to both the Viaiosmandibulidae and the Morsvectoridae, being in a sister family bridging the two of them.
As a cladistic reference, this animal is closer to Paravíaiosmandibula prima than to Morsmessor crepusculi
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Head long and spear shaped; no eyes,
- Very marked cranial fenestrae, originating from the divide between the dermal bone and the chondrocranium,
- Cranial armor Fused in the process of absorption,
- Fins very large and paddle-like,
- Dorsal fin especially high and moved slightly caudally to the center of the body,
- Frontal section of the body armed with several rows of aculei on the ventral area and one row on the top of the dorsum,
- Gill tail moderately short and stubby, terminating in a very high and angular Gill Fan, with a quite steep Caudal drop,
- Both the caudal fins are very prominent.
Genetics and Reproduction
The animal has never been observed during mating season, leaving only the partial information we have to hypothesize on.
The species mates once a year around autumn-late winter.
Probably monogamous by comparison to its closest cousins.
Observation of scar tissue in mature males suggests violent fights could be a way of selecting mates in the species.
In late winter the males leave their nests to find new caves to use as dens; the current scientific consensus is that they leave the old nests for the offspring to inhabit, suggesting a certain degree of parental care in the species is present.
Growth Rate & Stages
No jouveniles have ever been observed.
Ecology and Habitats
Hadalpelagic species found at depths superior to 8.000 m.
Lives along the cliffsides; prefers areas with plenty of underwater caves to nest in.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Ambush predator.
The animal can wait in ambush for weeks for a prey to swim close to its lair; given the energetical cost of sprinting with those fins, it can only go so far chasing prey, soon giving up in favor of an easier meal.
They will leave the nest to feed on unguarded carcasses.
Biological Cycle
The species remains in a state of very reduced activity for most of its ife, saving energies for the next hunt or mating season.
Seldom moves outside of its lair.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Lonesome and very territorial animals.
Will cannibalize smaller specimens that may be intruding in their territory.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
No eyesight, extremely good electrolocatory apparatus.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
In a commensalistic relationship with some deep sea invertebrates which will feed on the scraps of food near the animals' mouth.
Scientific Name
Eoichthyia; Tartarosomnia; Scutocephalidae; Calvatopinnoidea; Caligobeloidea; Terastioikofilidae ; Terastioikolininae; Terástioikofýlax; T. recondĭtus
Lifespan
unknown, although given its low metabolism it is thought to be long lived
Conservation Status
Data Deficient; not enough information available to properly assess this animal's conservation status
Population Trend: UNKNOWN
Average Weight
300-500 kg
Average Length
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
pale to bright pink with darker striping along the body;
Dark grey to black striping on the fins.
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