Hexacirrus

Among the more mobile organisms living along the microbial mats of Vulgar in the early Lemurian period was the six limbed, multi "eyed" hexacirrus. This strange organism used mouths at the end of its tentacles for locomotion and feeding on detritus material that accumulated on the sea floor. Also unusually for the period, impression fossils and well preserved specimens show conclusively that these organisms possessed eye spots - making this organism one of the first to develop eyesight, albeit only good for detecting the presence of light.

Artwork done by Futaba Jelenic

Basic Information

Anatomy

Due to its soft body, hexacirrus has very few well preserved specimens - thus, comparatively little is know about its anatomy. It possessd three different axis of symmetry (dorsal-ventral, lateral, and anterior-posteriorl), resulting in effective spherical symmetry. Impression fossils show the tubular structures all served as a mouth, anus, and foot for locomotion. Additionally, it is known that numerous small eyespots were present on the central mass of the organism, allowing it to detect light levels as it navigated its environment.

Genetics and Reproduction

Reproduction is done by releasing gametes from a set of six gonopores inside of the central body cavity. They also feature three distinct sexes based on a genetic inheritance pattern. Each sex possesses a chromosomal pair, for which there are 3 different types of chromosomes. Each sex is named after a defining chromosome - X, Y, and Z - with each sex being able to reproduce with a member of a different sex. The sex of the individual is determined by the two chromosomes it possesses. X chromosomes are dominant over Y chromosomes, Y chromosomes are dominant over Z chromosomes, and Z chromosomes are dominant over X chromosomes. A diagram is provided for clarification:

Growth Rate & Stages

Very little is known about the growth stages of the organism. It is very likely that hexacirrus grew for the entirety of its life; all fossilized specimens, be they juvenile or clearly elderly, resemble adult forms with the only real variable being size and sustained injuries.

General Information

Time Period: Lemuran Period
Scientific Name: Hexacirrus polyocula
Kingdom: Olcanimalia
Phylum: Stomacirra
Lifespan: 6 Vulgur years
Average Height: 8 cm
Average Length: 8 cm
Habitat: