Streozal
Basic Information
Anatomy
Similar to their Dyomisa ancestors, the Streozal possess two body sections. On the first, the four tentacles have all shifted to more directly surround the mouth opening, which has also shifted forward towards the front of the tagma. Additionally, the tentacles have each had their ends split, forming two smaller tentacles. The chemoreceptors and sensory receptors along the tentacles are concentrated onto the split ends, with the chemoreceptors primarily around the tips of each. The tentacles have also developed a single row of small cutting teeth along their innermost edge. The light sensitive receptors have developed further into eyes. One pair has shifted to the ventral sides of the tagma, while the other pair has remained facing upwards. Along the top of the head are three interconnected armored plates, with an indentation between the first and second plates for the eyes facing upwards. On the second tagma, the first three limbs remain fairly similar to those of their ancestors, being columnar in shape and moved through a system of blood pumping thorough them. The fourth limb, however, has adapted to point directly backwards, and are developed to be large paddles that can be used to propel the Streozal through the water faster than they can walk for a short period. The upper part of the body, akin to the first section, is a series of five interconnected armored plates, with the sections between them located above each of the pairs of limbs. The four pairs of spiracles have moved to be closer together, and have shifted more towards the ventral side of the creature.
Due to the increased complexity of both the eyes and the appendages, the brain has increased in size. The mouth, inside the opening between the four appendages, is lined with ridges made of a material similar to the one that makes up the plates of armor on the Streozal ‘s back. It uses these to masticate its food before passing on the ground up particles to the Streozal’s stomach. The stomach itself, aside from enlarging, has not changed much, and is still emptied by regurgitating a pellet of waste. The chamber that produces the gametes has additionally not changed much, aside from the connection to the mouth being located closer to the entrance to the mouth.
In the second tagma, the interior gills have increased in size somewhat, and now take up a significant part of the upper region of the segment. They are still assisted in moving water in and out of them by the movement of the legs and paddles. Additionally, their circulatory system has become closed, with four simple hearts keeping the blood moving, again assisted by the movement of the legs and the paddles.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Streozal method of reproduction has remained largely unchanged from their Dyomisa ancestors, still consisting of broadcast spawning, releasing thousands of gametes into the water during each mating season. Their larvae still become part of the zooplankton, but grow larger more quickly than their ancestors did.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Streozal eat anything that they come across that is small enough to eat. Their diet consists primarily of other animals, but they will eat plants if necessary. They use their tentacles to grab onto their food, and if necessary, use the small teeth on their insides to cut and tear it into smaller pieces. They then place the food into their mouth, where it is ground up and swallowed. They are primarily ambush predators, capable of brief bursts of speed.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Streozal are found mostly along the eastern coasts of Natash, as well as the northern andwestern coasts of Ras al-Kalb.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The eyes of Streozal are more advanced than those of their ancestors, and are capable of sensing light and seeing stationary creatures and objects a few meters away from it, and moving creatures out to about a dozen meters.
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