Angler Clam

Basic Information

Anatomy

The angler clam possesses a basal and simple, yet efficient body plan. The organism possesses a singular tagma; a body that is mostly an internal stomach and little else, though it does have a simple circulatory system as well. The main defining feature of the angler clam is the long, tongue-like lure exiting from its oral cavity that doubles as an anus. this tongue-like structure acts as a lure for filter feeding small organisms in the water column, and is equipped with many long, feathery tendrils exiting a small pore at the top. These tendrils possess nematocysts, which sting prey items and paralyze them on contact. In addition to this, the cells making up the "skin" of this organism possess the ability to form pseudopods that grab onto and hold sediment to the body. This allows older angler clams to form a sort of "shell" made out of sediment that protects them from the elements, and doubles as camouflage.

Genetics and Reproduction

Angler clams possess reproductive cells inside of the lure, that produce small medusae asexually. These medusae exit through the small pore at the top of the lure, and swim about in the water column until they encounter the substrate and are able to mature.

Growth Rate & Stages

The angler clam medusa is a small spore-like creature with several tendrils extending out from the organism. These medusae are mostly unable to swim freely, and drift in the ocean currents until they are able to land on a soft section of the microbial mat of the ocean floor. Here, the medusa begins to transform into an adult angler clam - the lower section of the medusa swells considerably, and forms a large stomach like pouch that develops into the body. The upper part of the medusa facing the sun will form into a tongue, and collect its tendrils into a small opening. A tube will form surrounding these tendrils and shoot upwards, forming the lure. Around the lure an opening remains on three sides, resulting in an dual oral and anal cavity for vomiting up waste and consuming prey. Finally, once the angler clam has sufficiently developed into an adult, the cells in contact with the water will begin to form pseudopods that allow pseudo-shell formation, and the angler clam will seek to bury itself under the substrate whenever dirt or sediment covers it. The entire process takes about a 6 local days, and upon completion, reproductive cells will develop and activate inside of the lure to create more medusae and further propagate the species.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The angler clam filter feeds small organisms from the water column, mostly large bits of phytoplankton and zooplankton. A common prey item is an organism commonly called the spongefish, which swim in the lower levels of the water column where the angler clam lives.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The tendrils of the angler clam connect to a simple neural network running through the lure and upper part of the clam's body. This neural net allows the clam to coordinate feeding from the autonomous capture of prey by the tendrils to the consumption, digestion, and regurgitation of food and waste respectively. However, this neural net allows the clam to do little else, and most other functions and behaviors, such as digestion and pseudo-shell formation, are automatic and instinctive in nature.

General Information

Time Period: Lemuran Period
Scientific Name: Secretumbell linguapilosa
Kingdom: Eukaryota
Phylum: Arpazopoda
Discovered By: Doctor ClownTown
Average Height: 2.3 cm; Lure can be up to 5 cm
Average Length: 2.3 cm
Habitat: Virgo Sea