I FINISHED MY FUCKING ANIMALS AHHHHHHH. Time to do plants.
lookie lookie, a bunch of text about animals.

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera
Class: Demospongiae Order: Haplosclerida
Genus: Pedes Species: peniculus
Scientific name: Pedes peniculus Common Name: Walking Sponge

Characteristics of Class: Members of the Demospongiae are asymmetrical. Within the mesohyl of demospongians may be spicules of both megascleres and microscleres with one to four rays, dispersed collagenous fibers (spongin), both, or neither. Members of Demospongiae are easily distinguished from those of the Hexactinellida because they have no six-rayed spicules. They possess a leuconoid structure, with a folded choanoderm . The pinacoderm is continuous, and the mesohyl is characteristically thickened. The thicker the mesohyl, the more diverse the forms of Demospongiae. The Demospongiae can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

Characteristics of Organism: Roughly 2 feet tall, tubular shape, about five inches across. Solid, bright colors generally pink, purple or yellow. Begins as buds of sponge growing on outcroppings of coral eventually they are scraped off by the sponge head crab, they live on the carapace of the crab until it or the crab is killed. Spicules and protein collagen grip onto the rough shell of the sponge head crab, forming a stiff anchor, often carrying off the crab if the sponge is moved. The collagen and spicule combination is secreted by a small pouch on the bottom of the sponge, used specifically for the swift attachment to the sponge head crab carapace.
Biome Type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Filter feed on plankton, and other particles floating in the water.
Nutrition: Heterotrophic
Behavior: Lives in small bunches of 5 or 6 sponges, generally found on the carapace of the sponge head crab, but also found on coral. Asexual reproduction by means of buds on the outside of the sponge breaking off and growing. Thick slime secreted by small pouches on the underside of the sponge that provide the strong grip of the substrate. Main predators are pine tree worm and the thick headed tortoise.
















Organism name: Walking Sponge
Organism structural hierarchy: Aggregate of cells

Two opposite phyla:
Below: None Above: Cnidaria

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
This Sponge has two novel adaptations to help it fend for itself in this treacherous reef. The first is the symbiotic relationship it holds with the sponge head crab. The sponge head crab picks walking sponges off of the coral where they initially bud. Using its second novel adaptation the sponge secretes two pouches of a collagen spicule mixture. Forming a solid hold on the carapace of the crab. With the movement of the crab the sponge gets a further current to assists its choanocytes in filtering the nutrients in the sponge. Normally pumping at a slow rate, the added current of the movement of the crab allows more water to be filtered faster. The second portion of this is the defensive aspect the crab provides for the sponge. The sponge is more solidly anchored in the ground due to the crabs grip on the sediment. This makes it harder for the predators to grasp the sponge and carry it off.
The second novel adaptation the sponge has is two small pockets of cells on the base of the sponge. These are present at birth and not used until the sponge is moved from its initial spot. Once it is moved the pockets open and release a combination of spicules and protein collagen. This makes a more cemented grip on the secondary substrate, or shell of a crab. The pockets are made of a small dome of cells(because there are no tissues) with layers of cells making up the bottom. Initially there is a secretion at a much lower amount of the spicule protein collagen combination, this is removed when the sponge is moved. The bottom layers of cells open up and release the larger amount of the mixture, cementing the sponge to a new substance. New pockets are formed each time the sponge is moved, allowing the crab to relocate the sponge to a new shell when it molts.


















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Scyphozoa Order: Semaeostomeae
Genus: Offensio Species: fodio
Scientific name: Offensio fodio Common Name: Striker jellyfish

Characteristics of Class: Scyphozoans exhibit the main characteristics of cnidarians. They have radial symmetry and are diploblastic, meaning that their body wall consists of the outer epidermis (ectoderm) and the inner gastrodermis (endoderm), which are separated by mesoglea. They have nematocysts, which are characteristic of the phylum. They undergo alternation of generations, with the medusa form being dominant. Scyphomedusae are the "jellyfish" with which most people are familiar.

Characteristics of organism: The Striker jellyfish is around 5-10 inches across with long tentacles extending two feet from the organism, they are brightly colored with patterns of spots and streaks. These patterns are significant to the nematocysts that lie in the lines and spots on the head. They are unspecialized but protect the striker jellyfish from overhead attacks. Long lines of specialized nematocysts go down the tentacles. Used specifically for predation these nematocysts are fired only when signaled by the nerve net in the “head” of the jellyfish. The lines are a brilliant white color, giving the striker a stunning glow.

Biome Type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Predator mid trophic level.
Nutrition: Carnivore
Behavior: The striker jellyfish live in small “fields” where 10-20 jellyfish float idly stinging any fish careless enough to wander into the field. Reproduction is sexual with eggs and sperm developing in the gonads during mid spring or summer. The main prey for this organism are pygmy spear penguin and the wide eyed gulper. The main predators of this organism are the pronged whale and the boring worm

















Organism name: Striker jellyfish
Organism structural hierarchy: Tissue

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Porifera Above: Platyhelminthes

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The striker jellyfish uses a far more integrated system of nematocysts than the average cnidarian. There are long translucent lines on each of the jellyfishes tentacles, on these lines are thousands on nematocysts. These nematocysts are unique in that the trigger hair is attached to a small sensory nerve that leads into a long chain of nerves running from the tentacle to the nerve net in the “head” of the jellyfish. If persistent pressure is applied to the hairs (such as a jellyfish running into a coral field) the nematocysts will not be fired however if pressure is applied in short burst the nematocysts will fire. There is a delay in the firing, but because repeated pressure has to be applied more recruitment occurs, so that when it is time to strike the action is powerful and almost instantaneous.
The second adaptation fore the striker jellyfish is the addition of nematocysts on the head of the jellyfish. There are patterns of lines and circles depending on the sex and genetics of the jellyfish. In the lines and circles are thousands of nematocysts that are used to protect from assault from above. These nematocysts are unlike the ones on the tentacles however, there is no delay in firing. Once the trigger hair is touched the nematocysts fires stinging its presumed assailant.























Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Turbellaria Order: Tricladida
Genus: Species:
Scientific name: Common Name: Glowing mat

Characteristics of Class: Turbellarians lack fluid transport systems, and are acoelomate. The gut in turbellarians has only a mouth opening. There is usually a pharynx for introducing food into the gut, and undigested food particles are ejected through the mouth. Turbellarians generally locomote by coordinated waves of cilia on a secreted mucus trail, though some species can swim by rhythmic muscle contractions. Turbellarians sense their environment with statocysts, chemoreceptors, and photoreceptors. They do not have image-forming eyes, but many species have pigment cells and photoreceptors concentrated into eyespots.

Characteristics of Organism: This organism is only around 3 mm long with a bright bioluminescent body. Thousands of these organisms cover the floor of the reef, using a modified pharynx to scrap small particles off the rocks and corals. Small cilia that coat the outside of the organism beat almost constantly as the whole floor of the reef seems to shift and flow as the glowing mat feeds. Small amounts of calcium scraped off the floor are sent to the tip of the pharynx where a small growth of calcium deposits helps the mat collect its food.

Biome Type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: producer/detrivore, scraps the leftovers of everything from the reef floor
Nutrition: dead matter/plant matter on the reef floor
Behavior: These organisms form large colonies of hundreds to thousands of glowing mats, giving them their name because they form large bioluminescent mats on the floor of the reef. Glowing mats are hermaphroditic they hatch from the eggs as juveniles and undergo direct development. Their main predators are the sponge head crab, toxic shocktopus and the juntu starfish.

















Organism name: Glowing mat
Organism structural hierarchy: organ

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Cnidaria Above: nematoda

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The first novel characteristic that the name glowing mat is derived from is the bioluminescence. The bacteria Vibrio harveyi reside on the planarians. These bacteria exude a brilliant white glow. Because planarians are negatively phototaxis their ocelli are no longer present. In their place are rheoreceptors, these are not tremendously sensitive but sense large changes in water pressure, similar to the lateral line system in fish. These receptors are used to sense oncoming predators, or a current rushing around a large rock.
The second novel adaptation for this organism is the calcareous protrusion on the tip of the pharynx. This is used to scrap food off of rocks on the reef floor. The calcium is collected through the pharynx and enters the extended system of tubules that make up planarian digestion. Nutrients are absorbed through the tube, small amounts of calcium however are filtered out and sent down a small tubule used exclusively for calcium particles. A small pore in the tip of the pharynx deposits the calcium and replenishes it continuously. The calcium gets scraped off when the planarian eats so during each feeding it must scrape off portions of coral to replenish its calcium tip. If the tip is not replenished the planarian must find free floating organisms until it can get enough calcium to continue scraping food.






















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Adenophorea Order: Desmodorida
Genus: Navi Species: vita
Scientific name: Navi vita Common Name: Boring worm

Characteristics of Class: Phasmids are generally absent; amphids are postlabial and variable in shape, cephalic organs setiform to papilloid; setae and hypodermal glands usually present, hypodermal cells uninucleate; excretory organ, if present, single-celled; caudal glands mostly present; usually two testes in males; cuticle four-layered.

Characteristics of organism: These are minute free floating organisms, being only a few micrometers long. Drab in color merely a brown speck floating in the water. Parasites by nature the worm possess a small scolex for its mouth, it uses this to bore into organisms and slowly eat them from the inside out. Capable of free swimming for the entire life span, feeding on small particles in the water, the adaptation of an epidermis coated in cilia allows for movement, rather than just the contraction of muscles.

Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Detrivore/parasite
Nutrition: feeds on particles in the water, or burrows into organisms consuming the viscera.
Behavior: The boring worm is a solitary organism, it can be found in high numbers because of its minute size. It is hermaphroditic having gonads that develop soon after it develops and hatches from its egg. The sperm are unique in this organism because they move not by flagella but by pseudopodia.





















Organism name: Boring worm
Organism structural hierarchy: Organ

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Platyhelminthes Above: Annelida

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The addition of a modified scolex is unique to this organism. The scolex previously was used exclusively for hooking onto the inside of its host while it feeds. The “new” scolex is used for boring and feeding. Previously the hooks would face down and curve in, to hook onto an organism, the modified scolex have upward facing hooks. Mobile by use of cilia the boring worm latches onto an organism and slowly bores a small hole into it, where it slowly feeds on the insides until the organism dies. Once the organism is dead the nematode will lay eggs and abandon it. However the myriad of bacteria that are inside a dead decaying organism keep the population of these nematodes in check.
The second addition is the ability to be free swimming. If a host is not readily available the boring worm is modified with an epidermis coated in cilia, this allows it to swim and capture small food particles. Using its “teeth” as a filter the boring worm suctions particles into its scolex. In the free swimming Navi vita reproduction occurs with the eggs being laid in the water column, floating to the reef floor hatching to breed new boring worms.





















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polycheata Order: Canalipalpata
Genus: Exitiabilis Species: arbor
Scientific name: Exitiabilis arbor Common Name: pine tree worm

Characteristics of Class: Most are marine. Some, such as featherduster worms, are sedentary, living in tubes buried in sand or mud, and feed by trapping food particles in mucus or by ciliary action. Others, such as the clam worm, are active, mobile predators that capture prey in jaws attached to their pharynges. Still others, such as fireworms, graze on gorgonians and stony corals. Polychaetes are extremely abundant in some areas. They play essential ecological roles, serving on one hand as predators on small invertebrates, and on the other as food for fish and large invertebrates.

Characteristics of organism: These worms appear beautiful, only an inch or two long, have long spirals of tentacles that emerge from the hole the worm lies in. Generally in twos the “pine trees” got their name for their bright color and the presence on nematocysts that the worm has absorbed from free floating cnidarians. Brightly colored ranging in mainly reds, yellows, greens and blues. A small hair is present on the tip on the “pine tree” attached to a small nerve leading into the ring of nerves that make up the ganglia. When this hair is roughly brushed against it the trees pop back down into the hole the worm lives in. These organisms can be often seen popping up and down as a school of fish swims by.
Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: low trophic level predator
Nutrition: predator, mainly on the glowing mat, and the boring worm.
Behavior: This organism exhibits two interesting defense mechanism. Due to the bright coloration the “pine trees” are subject to easy predation, to counteract this, the nematocysts absorbed fire into the fishes mouth as it goes down to bite. Also, the hair on the tip of the “tree” sends a fast response for the worm to retract the “trees” into it’s hole. Reproduction is asexual with fertilized eggs release into the water, landing on various corals and maturing.















Organism name: Pine tree worm
Organism structural hierarchy: Organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Nematoda Above: Arthropoda

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The gathering of nematocysts has allowed this organism to more expertly trap food. Previously the tentacles were used simply to brush food down into the mouth of the worm. Nematocysts have been absorbed form cnidarians that brush against it. Pine tree worms will frequently make their holes next to an anemone. As small organisms swim by, they are stung by the nematocysts and pulled by the tentacles into the hole for the worm. Because the trees are so brightly colored they attract many predators. However when a predator attempts to bite down on the tree it will be stung with hundreds of nematocysts. Secondary defense to this are the trigger hairs on the tips of the “trees”.
On the tip of the “trees” the worm has is a small hair. This hair is connected to motor neurons that lead to the nerve rings in the worms head. When the hair is brushed hard enough a strong impulse is sent down the nerves and the worm contracts its body pulling the trees into its hole. It then expands its body further into the hole. This defense mechanism is key because it prevents predators from dragging the entire worm out when it tries to eat the brightly colored trees.
























Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: malacostraca Order: Decapoda
Genus: peniculus Species: corona
Scientific name: Peniculus corona Common Name: sponge head crab

Characteristics of Class: Malacostracans exhibit the hard, calcified exoskeleton typical of crustaceans. The body is divided into three tagmata, cephalon, thorax, and abdomen. The head and thorax are fused into a cephalothorax and may be difficult to distinguish. All malacostracans possess five segments in the head, eight in the thorax, and six in the abdomen. Malacostracans have the typical crustacean body plan. Internal gills are protected by the carapace. The circulatory system in large organisms may be highly developed and extensively venous, though it is still considered open (as opposed to closed). The nervous system is highly centralized. A large brain near the eye is connected to a number of ganglia via a paired ventral nerve cord, which runs the length of the body.

Characteristics of organism: A physiologically beautiful organism. The sponge head crab has a extended carapace about 10 inches wide, about 8 inches long. It is drably colored for camouflage in coral, however its carapace is home to the walking sponge, providing a further bit of camouflage. The wide carapace forms a protective dome for the limbs of the crab. When resting or frightened it can pull all its limbs and head under it’s carapace, similar to a turtle. Eight walking legs are somewhat short(3 inches) and pointed on the tips. The large claws on the front are about 5 inches long, and create a wall when drawn in to protect the “face” of the crab.

Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: low/mid tropic level predator
Nutrition: Mainly on smaller organisms such as the pine tree worm and the glowing mat.
Behavior: These crabs exhibit a fairly ingenious defensive behavior, when threatened or resting the crab will pull its head and claws in under its expansive carapace. The legs forming a wall for the soft sides of the crab, and the large claws providing protection for the head of the crab. Reproductions is sexual, eggs are laid and unflaggelated sperm are deposited on them.















Organism name: Sponge head crab
Organism structural hierarchy: System level organization
Two opposite phyla:
Below: Annelida Above: Molluska
New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The symbiotic relationship with the walking sponge provides the sponge head crab with two large advantages. The first being that it has camouflage while it is resting or eating, a predator won’t notice the crab under the large sponge sitting on top of it. Due to the crabs second defense mechanism even if seen, the crab only appears to be a rock. The second advantage of the symbiotic relationship with the sponge is that when the decorator crab has to molt when it grows, it has something to continuously add to its shell. The crab places the sponge in front of the hole it will use to grow a new shell. Once the new shell is grown the crab places the sponge back onto its carapace, the sponge secretes a new layer of the protein collagen, spicule mixture.
The second defense mechanism that the sponge head crab has adopted is an enlarge carapace. The outer shell of the crab is larger despite having a small body the carapace extends far beyond the body. The purpose of this is so that the crab can fit the large walking sponge on its back. Also it has a modified carapace to establish a thick armor around its entire body while resting. It folds its legs to the side under the lip of the carapace. It pulls its head back under the thick lid of its carapace, places its large claws in front of its face to form a large protective shield for the soft areas of its body. When the crab molts it forms only a slightly larger carapace, if it gets too large the edges will stick out beyond the cover of the sponge and it would be subject to predation.



















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda Order: Octopoda
Genus: Venenum Species: aeris
Scientific name: Venenum aeris Common Name: Toxic shocktopus

Characteristics of Class: Cephalopoda is the most morphologically and behaviorally complex class in phylum Mollusca. Cephalopoda means "head foot" and this group has the most complex brain of any invertebrate. Cephalopods are characterized by a completely merged head and foot, with a ring of arms and/or tentacles surrounding the head. The arms, tentacles, and funnel are all derivatives of the foot. All cephalopods are carnivorous. The strong beak is at the entrance to the buccal cavity , on the floor of which lies the radula. There are two pairs of salivary glands , one of which may be poisonous.

Characteristics of organism: The Toxic shocktopus is one of the largest of the mollusks, a nearly 30 foot arm span. It is brightly colored, and capable of blending in with its surroundings. Its colors range from red to purple and even a cloudy brown. Eight legs extended from the head and are equipped with suckers all the way down. On the tip of the legs are small calcareous protrusions used to punch holes into coral beds and crush the shells of arthropods and other mollusks. When frightened, or feeding the toxic shocktopus releases a cloud of strongly toxic ink.
Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Upper trophic level predator
Nutrition: carnivore, feeds mainly on small fish mollusks and smaller octopi.
Behavior: The toxic shocktopus has little fear of predation because it is so large, however if assaulted in can use its toxic ink to deter or even kill a predator. Also, the calcareous protrusions on the tips of its tentacles can be wielded as small daggers to scratch and prod predators. Reproduction is sexual, the male uses a tentacle specialized to deposit semen into the mantle cavity of a female, 18-100 thousand eggs can be laid at a time, in a small nest on a rock.

















Organism name: Toxic Shocktopus
Organism structural hierarchy: Organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Arthropoda Above: Echinodermata

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The primary adaptation that gave the toxic shocktopus its name is the addition of a toxin to the ink of the octopus. The octopus has strong salivary glands that produce two types of cephalotoxins, alpha and beta. There is a small tubule connecting to these glands that goes to the ink chamber. The cephalotoxins are contained in small lysosomes until secreted in the ink. This new toxic ink has the capability to break down connective tissue in many different organisms. The octopus can use this to kill large amounts of prey very quickly. It will spray the ink onto a small field of crustaceans move away until the ink dissipates come back in and feast on the freshly dead easy to pull apart food.
The second novel adaptation is the addition of calcareous tips on the ends of the octopus’s tentacles. Used to punch holes in coral to get at the crustaceans below, they are derived from calcium absorbed through digestion. Large amounts of calcium are needed to sustain the tips, so small portions of coral are eaten, the calcium extracted but the rest is waste. The calcium is placed into small vesicles once digested. The vesicles travel down the tentacle through the bloodstream. Once the vesicles reach the tip of the tentacle, they enter a small layer of tissue called enterocytes. These enterocytes are specially modified to disperse the calcium in the vesicles and deposit it via a small system of pores in the epidermis onto the tip of the tentacle.




















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichtheys Order: Scorpaeniformes
Genus: Species:
Scientific name: Common Name: Wide Eyed Gulper

Characteristics of Class: Class Osteichthyes, the largest class of vertebrates with over 29,000 species, consists of the bony fish. These fish have a skeleton much stiffer than the cartilaginous fish because it is reinforced by calcium salts. Bony fish have excellent smell like cartilaginous fish, but unlike the other class of fish, bony fish also have acute eyesight. A special organ called a swim bladder housed under the bony skeleton is a gas filled chamber that allows the bony fish to remain floating in the water. A bony fish is able to breathe without swimming simply by moving the operculum. Other hallmarks of these fish are paired fins, many teeth, dermal scales in the skin (in most species), and numerous vertebrae. Most bony fish are ray-finned fish, meaning that they have thin, flexible skeletal rays. Lobe-finned fish, the other type of bony fish, have muscular fins supported by bones.

Characteristics of organism: The wide eyed gulper is a somewhat ridiculous looking fish, about a foot and a half long it is a sleek and fast fish. It’s head about 5 inches long and 4 inches tall, half of which is consumed by a large two inch eye on either side. It is colored a mottled brown so that it can blend in with surrounding rocks.
Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: low trophic level predator
Nutrition: Carnivore, small fish and annelids mainly
Behavior: This fish sits on small rocks darting out only to feed. The dull coloration allows it to blend into the rocks, when seated on the bottom of the reef it can often be covered in glowing mat, having been mistaken for a rock. The large eyes are hypersensitive and used to sense predators. Reproduction is sexual eggs are laid by the female, fertilized by the male and the young are raised by both parents.

















Organism name: Wide eyed gulper
Organism structural hierarchy: organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Echinodermata Above: Amphibia

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The first adaptation this organism derived was enlarged eyes. These serve two purposes, the first is hypersensitivity to light. Because this organism is nocturnal it uses its enlarged eyes to bring in as much light as possible. The second purpose that these eyes serve is a hypersensitivity to movement. Each eye has a much higher number of cones than the average fish. The more cones the fish has the high the visual acuity is. The second addition to this fish’s hypersensitive system is in the lateral line system. This fish has a much denser grouping of neuromasts along its lateral line. It uses this to sense predators that are approaching from further away.
This organism is modified with a much sleeker design to improve speed in water. Smooth, dense scales provide little drag on the body. The pelvic fins are located right next to the pectoral fins, providing increased maneuverability. It has an enlarged forked caudal fin to provide extra power when swimming. It swims with its entire body and tail, using its fins only as stabilizers and to steer. It exhibits the streamlined body form used for optimum speed when swimming. The presence of an enlarged eyespot on the caudal fin helps confuse predators that see the actual enlarged eyes of the fish.




















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines
Genus: Species:
Scientific name: Common Name: Thick headed tortoise

Characteristics of Class: Reptiles are amniotes; that is, their eggs are protected from desiccation and other environmental problems by an extra membrane, the amnion, not found in the first terrestrial vertebrates. n addition to being amniotes, all reptiles have horny epidermal scales made of a particular kind of protein, paired limbs with 5 toes, skulls with a single occipital condyle, lungs instead of gills for respiration, and a 3 or 4 chambered heart. Their eggs are covered with a leathery or calcium-based shell, and fertilization occurs inside the female, rather than outside, as it does in most amphibians.

Characteristics of organism: A tremendously large turtle, the largest hard shelled turtle in existence. Its shell is 1 meter long, and the organism is roughly 4 and a half feet long with the limbs extended. Its head is larger than most turtles, with massive jaws. Fortified vertebrae brace the neck of the turtle to prevent its neck snapping when it smashes coral with its head. A protruding skull is used to break holes in coral reefs to find organisms for food. The skin has a bright yellow hue to it, while the shell is a muted brown.
Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Herbivorous, low level predator if necessary.
Nutrition: Omnivore, generally grasses and coral polyps, if necessary small fish..
Behavior: The turtle exhibits and odd foraging behavior. It will repeatedly smash its fortified skull into patches of coral until it finds enough organisms to eat. Reproduction is sexual and complex. In the flood of spring tides turtles go ashore dig holes and lay eggs into the holes, 31-65 days later the eggs hatch and the turtles take to the ocean.


















Organism name: Thick headed tortoise
Organism structural hierarchy: organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: osteicthyes Above: mammalia

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The novel adaptation that gave rise to the name is the thick skull this turtle possesses. Developed when it is forming in the egg, larger deposits of calcium are placed on the crown of the head, despite giving it a somewhat laughable appearance the tortoise can swim at such speed to break bones in fish, and wound other potential predators. The function of this thickened head is seen in its feeding habits. It uses its large skull to crash into reefs and shakes loose food, once the remains are floating around in the water the tortoise picks through them finding what it eats. This seems tremendously destructive to the reef, but the tortoise only needs to feed a few times a month, reducing the loss to the coral reef. The tortoise will also feed on the abundant sea grass covering the reef.
The second adaptation the tortoise has is its neck. Primarily the most vulnerable part on the turtle, it has developed more tightly compact and enlarge vertebrae. They also have a muscle at the bass of the neck that acts as a spring when it contracts. These serve a dual purpose, they stabilize the skull, and add protection for the neck. They bolster the skull in that the turtle can face downward while swimming and the vertebrae lock in place, providing a stiff but springy support for the skull. When the turtle crashes into coral, the neck recoils backwards, relaxing the muscle at the base of the neck, which absorbs most of the shock. The neck then springs back as the muscle contracts. This prevents the vertebrae form cracking upon impact, and from the neck breaking.

















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea Order: Spinulosida
Genus: Fossor Species: aboleo
Scientific name: Fossor aboleo Common Name: Juntu Starfish

Characteristics of Class: Class Amphibia technically consists of all tetrapods that do not have amniotic eggs. Because the eggs will dry out quickly in the air, these species are tied to the water, at least for reproduction. Most species spend time both on land and in the water, although a few remain in aquatic environments. The larvae of most amphibians, such as the frog, resemble fish, but these larvae undergo metamorphosis and grow four legs before becoming an adult. These adults have air breathing lungs instead of gills, lack a lateral line system, and have external eardrums. Amphibians are also characterized by being soft-skinned.

Characteristics of organism: This is a massive starfish, over two feet wide coated in thorns. Brightly colored generally in red, purple and grey hues. The have between 12 and nineteen arms and exhibit pentaradial symmetry around the central disk. However, the central disc is completely devoid of the lethal spikes that coat the arms. This leaves the juntu open to strong attack. The development of individual arm movement has allowed the juntu starfish the mobility to strike an attacking foe.
Biome type: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: Mid trophic level predator
Nutrition: Carnivore, mainly mollusks and coral polyps
Behavior: These organisms are tremendously destructive to the coral reef. Over the course of a year they consume 13 square miles of coral. They use their strong retractable spikes to break up coral, they then crawl over the remains and drop digestive enzymes onto the coral and suck it up into the stomach. They use their long arms to strike foes attacking the central disc of the starfish. Reproduction occurs when males and females synchronize the secretion of sperm and eggs into the water column.

















Organism name: Juntu Starfish
Organism structural hierarchy: organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Molluska Above: Ostericthyes

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The first and main novel adaptation the juntu starfish has are retractable, springy thorns that coat the arms. The thorns are attached to a small ring of muscle, which is attached to two small longitudinal muscles. When the longitudinal muscles contract, the pull the ring and the thorn down into a small pore in the skin. The muscles then relax and the thorn springs forward, to either sting a predator or, poke holes in coral. The purpose of these retractable spines is primarily a defense mechanism, each leg is individually controlled by the central disk(further discussed next paragraph) the leg moves up towards the predator as the thorns retract, once the arm reaches the predator the thorns spring forward wounding it. These thorns also serve the function of gas exchange for the organism.
The second novel adaptation of this starfish is the capability of the legs to move independent of one another. When being preyed upon the starfish is able to move its large long arms upward toward its foe. While it retracts its spines ready to strike, slow moving predators are especially vulnerable to this kind of assault. Mainly because the arms do not move tremendously quickly, it will generally take ten seconds to get the arm perpendicular to the body. This has also become a novel way to trap organism. Rather than crawling over it and dropping the stomach down, potentially scraping the bottom of the starfish on rough coral and shells. The arms can surround, or partially surround the organism and pummel it with the spikes.
















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea
Genus: Sparsum Species: oris
Scientific name: Sparsum oris Common Name: pronged whale

Characteristics of Class: All mammals share at least three characteristics not found in other animals: 3 middle ear bones, hair, and the production of milk by modified sweat glands called mammary glands. Mammalian hair is present in all mammals at some point in their development. All female mammals produce milk from their mammary glands in order to nourish newborn offspring. Thus, female mammals invest a great deal of energy caring for each of their offspring, a situation which has important ramifications in many aspects of mammalian evolution, ecology, and behavior.

Characteristics of organism: The pronged whale is about 2-2.6 meters long, they have a dark grey to black hue with white spots on the stomach of the whale. These marks vary to the family and sex of the whale. Developed in the embryo these markings are passed down from parent to child, and depending on the sex there are different markings. Males have a large white swirl with patterns of dots inside showing the family. Females have four large squares with markings inside the boxes specifying family. The mouth of the whale is unique in that the tongue is split into two parts. Very dexterous the whale can grab fish and snap them in half to stop them from writhing around.
Biome: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: high trophic level predator
Nutrition: Carnivore, medium to large fish.
Behavior: These whales travel in large packs, they will in general only travel with one family, possibly two. When a whale meets another they will in turn roll onto their stomachs to display their markings. Whales mate within the family, and from other families. When two whales from a different family meet their markings will mix to make a new combination on the children. Reproduction is sexual, and the children are raised by the parent.
















Organism name: pronged whale
Organism structural hierarchy: Organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Reptilia Above: none, on par with aves

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The derived characteristic that gives this organism its name is the way the tongue develops as a fetus. During the late stages of development, the tongue flesh is cleaved similar to the way the flesh between fingers is cleaved. This forms a pronged tongue with two tips. The function of this is snapping fish in half, similar to the way you would with two hands. Each part of the tongue wraps around the fish and then twist down, breaking the fish in half. The reason for this is that it prevents the struggling of fish in the mouth, which can lead to cuts and venom seeping into the mouth. With this modification the whales are able to eat more toxic fish without becoming poisoned. However, they can only eat fish with toxins that are broken down by strong stomach acid, things such as lionfish are still tremendously poisonous.
The second characteristic is a more social one. Also developed as a fetus this characteristic is a way to develop pods, and discriminate between family and sexes. The whale is black on the top, on the underside each whale has a distinctive pattern on the stomach. Males with a swirl and dot pattern, females with a box and dot pattern. The swirl and box determine the sex of the whale, while the pattern of dots determines the family lineage the whale comes from. Whales learn at a young age to recognize their own family pattern, as well as the pattern of families that travel in their pod. When two whales of differing family lineage procreate they form an entirely new family symbol.

















Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes
Genus: Specialissimus Species: Minor
Scientific name: Specialissimus minor Common Name: Pygmy spear penguin

Characteristics of Class: There are a few kinds of birds that don't fly, but their ancestors did, and these birds have secondarily lost the ability to fly. Modern birds have traits related to hot metabolism, and to flight: horny beak, no teeth, large muscular stomach, feathers, large yolked, hard-shelled eggs. The parent bird provides extensive care of the young until it is grown, or gets some other bird to look after the young. They also possess a strong skeleton with light hollow bones for flight.

Characteristics of organism: The pygmy spear penguin is quite small, only about 1 foot high with black feathers on its back and white on its stomach. It gets its name from the long beak it uses to stab fish and starfish. The beak is about 5 inches long and comes to a sharp point at the end. It has fused feet making a caudal fin for fast swimming. A tremendous lung capacity it can stay under water for up to fifteen minutes, surfacing to breathe and then diving to further hunt. On land the penguin is sluggish, it lives on rocks and uses its front fins to push itself around.
Biome: Great barrier reef off the coast of Australia
Niche: mid trophic level predator
Nutrition: small fish and starfish
Behavior: The spear penguin uses its long sharp beak as a spear(hence the name) to stab the central disk of starfish and the sides of fish. Uses its powerful dorsal tail it swims at rapid speeds and rams the side of a fish with its sharp beak. It preys especially on the juntu starfish, despite the danger of getting hit by one of the arms the penguin uses its long beak to stab the juntu starfish to death. Reproduction is sexual and development occurs in eggs that are laid in nests on the rocks.

















Organism name: Pygmy spear penguin
Organism structural hierarchy: organ system

Two opposite phyla:
Below: Reptilia Above: None, on par with mammalia.

New tissue, system or novel adaptation of the organism:
The characteristic that the name is derived from is the long beak that the penguin has adapted. The purpose of this is to spear fish and other prey to then consume them. Using the modified caudal fin (next paragraph) the penguin charges at high speeds in order to spear the fish. This is also the main predator of the juntu starfish, because of its speed, the penguin is able to stab the starfish several times before the arms are able to strike it, the penguin backs of and goes in for another assault. This provided a problem however; because of its small stature the eggs of the pygmy spear penguin were small. With the adaptation of the large beak, the eggs had to become larger making them more conspicuous. This became a source of predation and population control for the tiny penguin. Large land born predators would come upon their eggs and devour them, the small penguins fairly helpless to defend due to their awkward gait, and small size.
The second novel characteristic is what allows the penguin to spear its food. In the egg, the feet are fused, forming a large caudal fin. The function of this is to provide faster swimming along with the non functional wings. The wings steer, while the large caudal fin pumps hard, reaching speeds of 10 to 15 miles an hour. This however does provide for an awkward gait on land, using its wings as a means of movement, it scrapes along the beach. It nests in small rocky outcroppings providing it some shelter. The female lays on the eggs while the male hunts, returning with several fish speared on its beak.