by Peculiaris
The Līmāx funginus is a small mixturidae magion that displays characteristics of gastropods and fungi. Their overall appearance is similar to that of a mushroom, with a rounded orange-brown cap top over a stocky rounded stalk. The stalk is a slug-like foot, able to contract and expend for movement. Similar to land gastropods, the Līmāx funginus exerts mucus that aids in movement, as well as preserving the moisture of the skin. This mucus is secreted from two glands near the bottom of the foot. Most of the vital organs are condensed at the upper half of the foot, protected by the hardened mushroom-like cap, which serves a similar role as the gastropod mantle.
by Peculiaris
Līmāx funginus have two eyestalks that grow from the top of their cap. These optical tentacles are flexible and can turn in all direction, covering 360° between them. The eyes can also contract into the cap if the Līmāx funginus feels threatened. Their eyesight is rather poor, being limited to greys spectrum, but is quite good at identifying movement. In general, since they are more active during twilight and night time, the Līmāx funginus seem to relay on smell and touch more than sight.
Seven more tentacles grow from under the cap, serving different functions. Four of them are sensory tentacles, combining somatosensory (touch) and olfactory (smell) detection. The olfactory sensors are located at the ends of the tentacle, while somatosensory receptors are scattered along its length.
The mouth of the Līmāx funginus is located at the end of a tentacle. This tentacle is thicker than any of the others and ends with a rounded bulge that holds the jaw. The Līmāx funginus does not have a skeleton, the only bones in its body are the jaw bones and a remnant of a skull, a small, gently domed bone just above the brain. The mouth has thick textured lips, that connect to a complex series of muscles around the jaw bones. The teeth are surprisingly sharp, considering that the Līmāx funginus diet consists mainly of decayed matter. It seems that the function of the sharp front teeth is to cut through leaves and branches that block the Līmāx funginus movement, although they certainly are useful for tearing through food as well. The maw-tentacle can retract under the cap, and is generally only visible when the Limax funginus feeds.
by Peculiaris
The final pair of tentacles is easily recognizable by their greenish hue and teardrop edge. They are longer than the other tentacles, and a close examination will reveal a cluster of minute needle-like spikes. These spikes secrete a sticky, dull-green mucus that causes accelerated decay if introduced into the circulatory system of an organism. The decay-touch of the Līmāx funginus can be considered a predation technique since they feed on decaying corpses and plants. Although they are scavengers for the most part, a hungry Limax funginus can attack small organisms, causing death and decay within a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the organism.
by Peculiaris
Limax funginus reproduction is based on spore clouds that are released through a specialized opening in the cap. The spores develope within the cap. Under its hardened exterior, the inner flesh of the cap is a spore-bearing mass, or
gleba. Spores are released when pressure is applied to the area of the opening. Limax funginus generally utilize rain to release their spores into welcoming moist environment. However, pressure of any kind can cause the release of a spore cloud, which is why handling Līmāx funginus is considered very dangerous. The spore cloud is simply a reproduction method, and is not intended as an attack, but can cause severe reactions. Inhaling the spores is known to cause nausea and vomiting within a few hours, and if not treated, the victim will develop cough, fever, fatigue after a few days, and in extreme cases may perish.
Līmāx funginus can be found in forests and woods across the globe. They prefer denser woods with higher humidity and temperatures, but are very adaptive and can be found in colder climates as well.
Līmāx funginus are generally considered
scavengers, because they feed of dead organic matter. They are sometime described as
detritivores, because their diet includes plant matter and not just carrion. However, their feeding behavior does seem to fit more with the term scavenger; they prefer to feed on already dead organic matter, but will use their decay-touch tentacles to hunt if necessary.
by Peculiaris
Līmāx funginus are generally solitary beings. Their predatory and scavenging styles do not require cooperation, and their asexual reproduction means that there is no need for mates. Groups or concentrations of a number of Līmāx funginus in one location is not uncommon, but they rarely develop relationships, communities or work together. Their close proximity is due to the scatter of the spores they developed from. Since the preferred conditions of spore release is rain, the spores do not carry very far from the parent.
There is long recorded history of Līmāx funginus usage in potion brewing. The most common use was poisons, but there are known healing treatment that utilize Līmāx funginus parts. Thaddeus Vrac̆ (1215-1287) found that application of the foot mucus can help in slowing the decay caused by the decay-touch tentacles specifically, and fungal decay in general. He continued his research with his daughter, Milagros (1241-1319), and together they found many medical uses for the Līmāx funginus, the best known being the use of lightly roasted spores in an inflammation reducing infusion.
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