Rockgut

The rockgut is a descendant of the featherbarrel. The rockgut continues to be a filter feeder. Unlike its predecessor who was out in the open, the rock gut has learned to grow inside a rock, using the rock as its shell. In its early stages of life its acts the same a featherbarrel, but in its last larval stage it instead looks for indents and spaces in rock, using acids exuded by its feet, it slowly makes a small hole in the rock. It then settles in and lets it growing tenticles and body slowly crack and widen the rock for it. the rock gut still has its anscesors 5 eyes, 10 tentacles, one way stomach, and root like legs. The rock gut still broadcast spawn due to its sedentary lifestyle. After death the rock gut leaves behind a small opening for plant to grow, organisms to live in, or as pre-made dwelling for other rock guts. The name “rock gut” comes from how the creature could be seen as a mouth and stomach for a rock to anyone who doesn’t look further. A small young rockgut is pictured here feeding. [Creature design by Nerdking100]

Basic Information

Anatomy

The rock guts breathing tubes have moved up closer to the eyes and tentacles for need of open water to flow in, but this has also lead to a new development that allows for plankton and such to be drawn closer to the mouth rather than accidentally floating into it. A result of the need for the breathing tubes to go up on the body the rockgut undergoes a form of torsion during ontology. Shortly after finding a rock to settle down on and begin the sessile portion of its life, the rockgut's eyes shift to one side and down. while the breathing tube shifts up, the direction of this torsion is controlled by a single allele.

Ecology and Habitats

The rock gut likes to live around the equator in deep water, but not too deep that it can no longer feel the sun. thus it can be found surrounding the continent of Ras al-kalb and closer to the southern end of Natash

EXTINCT

Genetic Ancestor(s)