Bioluminescent Shamiiz

Allopiscator forcicaudalis is a Micromuraenid Radiopinniserpentoid amphibian from the deep waters of the Hetherian Ocean.
This large predatorial Eumuraenid is found living in the Bathypelagic zone, at depths higher than 1000 m, luring in prey with the bioluminescent barbs it wiggles energetically to mimic a distressed invertebrate.
Its very keen smell can detect potential prey from far away, if the currents are in its favour, while its sensitive hearing will notice any incoming animal.
The animal eyesight is very poor, only being able to discern light sources and general shapes; what the animal doesn't have in eyesight is made up by the large range of lights they can see thanks to it producing several types of chlorophylls in the eyes, making it efficient at spotting animals using green, yellow and red light.
A. forcicaudalis, like other Eumuraenids, is an excellent sprinter, bolting towards prey when close enough to it; the tail shape and size helps the animal to move quickly and change direction suddenly.
Although very rarely, a dead specimen can sometimes be fished up from the sea by fishermen, even though when they surface they're usually already bloated and highly decomposed, leading many early colonists to believe they were remains of enormous sea snakes.
The few and far between expeditions made in its natural habitat to search for Precursor artefacts or other alien relics are among the only recorded live sightings of the creature.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Snout rounded, cranial armour segmented and unpacked, with several sections where the chondrocranium is unprotected.

• Jaw long and thin; two fleshy barbs grow from the ventral face of the jaw.

• Dentition composed by long and thin conical teeth.

• Dorsal armour composed by few, large, plates; Three dorsals, two Porstcranials and two pectorals.

• Two small fleshy bulbs grow from the Dorsal II Plate.

• Body serpentiform; fins fleshy along the main body, with a ray finned structure along their length.

• Anal I & II vestigial.

• Presence of a lower caudal fin, growing along the length of the post-drop tail, creating a forked Eucaudal fin.

• Gill Tail long and roughly the height of the body; Gill Fan very low with almost nonexsistant ridges and a very soft caudal drop.

• Gill tail continues after the end of the Gill Fan.

Genetics and Reproduction

Due to the current lack of data on the species, we don't yet fully know how the species mates; below an assumption of how the animal mates will be described, based on the sparse information on the animal and its close, better studied, cousins.
A. forcicaudalis probably mates in early autumn, based on the age approximation of the only young specimen (NLOM 78229) ever found.
Females are speculated to use the two bioluminescent bulbs on the dorsal armour to attract mates and signal the position of the duct.
Studies of the ovary contents of female specimens GRI E1863 and NLOM 4492/3 demonstrated both females mated with a single male, leading us to believe the species may be monogamous or polygynous.
Specimen HURP R3533's study of the morphology and internal structure of the parapenile base proved the species has to mate through direct contact as the parapenis doesn't allow for distant mating as in most other amphibians.
Female specimen TUPR 12275 contained nearly mature eggs inside the duct; analyses conducted on the developed fetuses documented the presence of a very reduced natal aculeus, consistent with Ovoviviparous species seen elsewhere on the planet, thus we can safely assume the animal gives birth to live young.

Growth Rate & Stages

Specimen NLOM 78229 showed signs of ontogeny in the cranial armour, being less absorbed and segmented, covering most of the head.
Natal aculeus probably either lost during birth or being reabsorbed shortly after.

Ecology and Habitats

Bathyepelagic species found between depths of 1000 and 3000 m (speculated range).

Dietary Needs and Habits

Predatorial species of ambush predator.
Recorded using the long fleshy and bioluminescent barbs to attract prey, wiggling them energetically to seem like a distressed invertebrate.
Stomach contents of specimens GRI E1863, TUPR 12275 and HURP R3533 indentified remains of at least eight different species of amphibians, including Abyssal Worryfish, deep sea Esavelids and a species of Gymnocephalid enetodontid.
Specimen LMBH 7708/2 showed a bitemark on the side of the body that might be sign of potential cannibalism in the species.

Biological Cycle

Likely seasonal species with periods of reduced activity in the summer.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Very limited forensic data seems to point to a lonesome species with few interactions with conspecifics outside of mating.
Specimen LMBH 7708/2 had signs of a bitemark on the side of the body matching the dentition of another member of its species, possible sign of territorialism or cannibalism in the species.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Deep waters off the north coast of New Louisiana, Hetherian Ocean.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Poor eyesight but very good perceived light range.
Very good hearing and smell.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

None known.

Scientific Name

Eumuraenia; Radiopinniserpentoidea; Micromuraenidae ; Allopiscator ; A. forcicaudalis

Lifespan

Oldest specimen died at approx. 30 Years of age

Conservation Status

Data Deficient: not enough sightings of the species have been made to assess its status as of yet.
Population trend: UNKNOWN

Average Weight

500 kg to 1.4 tons

Average Length

up to 6 m

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Ruddy to red body, armour brownish-yellow to sepia.
Palate bright blue, barbs and bulbs bright azure.
Fins greenish-yellow to yellow.