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Description

Sensulocrinis ursamani

(Bear-Hand Sensory Tentacles)

Common Geigermander

Length: 62cm to 93cm

Weight: 3.5kg to 8.4kg

Description:

A common archetype seen in variety throughout the many swamps and marshes of Loune are the geigermanders - so named for their distinct Geiger-counter-like clicks made by the rattling of their two sensory antennae. Species of geigermander were found across the equatorial band of Loune and their diversity rivalled that of star crawlers.

Ecology:

Geigermanders are generally predatory and feed on Lounian arthropodiforms and small icthioforms though in some taxa flora is also consumed.

Their powerful forearms are used to haul their bodies around when on land and to dig excavate egg-burrows in soft muds by females.

The small nostrils on the head lead to lungs, however, additionally the wrinkled-folds along their neck also perform gas-exchanges except in their case – purely in water.

Whilst generally slow-moving in water, geigermanders can put on bursts of speed by tucking their arms flat against their bodies and then rapidly undulating their flanking-fin.

The flanking-fin is similar to the rayed-fins of ray-fin fish and the remnant skeletons of geigermanders (and other relatives) resembles the snout of a sawfish in the vertebrae being a lengthy process surrounded by sharp points.

Reproduction:

Geigermander reproduction is external. Females lay unfertilized eggs in constructed burrows and selected males fertilize them. Females guard burrows from prospecting males repelling them through loud vocalisations and if need be – physical force. Only males that produce appealing response vocalisations are allowed to fertilize any burrowed eggs.

Geigermander eggs notably harden after fertilization – reducing their need for moisture and allowing some species to adapt to environments notably far from water ways.

Evolution:

Geigermanders appear to belong to a very basal lineage of land-adapted/land-adapting Loune vertebrates. Their powerfully developed forelimbs contrast the independently land-adapted L. vertebrate lineage – the bullet runners, whom conquered land using rear-set limbs.

The tri-jaws of geigermanders also contrast their co-land invaders (Bullet Runner having regular vertical jaws). It is thought that this tri-jaw structure comes from tubular relatives that resemble Earthen leaches.

Description

Sensulocrinis ursamani

(Bear-Hand Sensory Tentacles)

Common Geigermander

Length: 62cm to 93cm

Weight: 3.5kg to 8.4kg

Description:

A common archetype seen in variety throughout the many swamps and marshes of Loune are the geigermanders - so named for their distinct Geiger-counter-like clicks made by the rattling of their two sensory antennae. Species of geigermander were found across the equatorial band of Loune and their diversity rivalled that of star crawlers.

Ecology:

Geigermanders are generally predatory and feed on Lounian arthropodiforms and small icthioforms though in some taxa flora is also consumed.

Their powerful forearms are used to haul their bodies around when on land and to dig excavate egg-burrows in soft muds by females.

The small nostrils on the head lead to lungs, however, additionally the wrinkled-folds along their neck also perform gas-exchanges except in their case – purely in water.

Whilst generally slow-moving in water, geigermanders can put on bursts of speed by tucking their arms flat against their bodies and then rapidly undulating their flanking-fin.

The flanking-fin is similar to the rayed-fins of ray-fin fish and the remnant skeletons of geigermanders (and other relatives) resembles the snout of a sawfish in the vertebrae being a lengthy process surrounded by sharp points.

Reproduction:

Geigermander reproduction is external. Females lay unfertilized eggs in constructed burrows and selected males fertilize them. Females guard burrows from prospecting males repelling them through loud vocalisations and if need be – physical force. Only males that produce appealing response vocalisations are allowed to fertilize any burrowed eggs.

Geigermander eggs notably harden after fertilization – reducing their need for moisture and allowing some species to adapt to environments notably far from water ways.

Evolution:

Geigermanders appear to belong to a very basal lineage of land-adapted/land-adapting Loune vertebrates. Their powerfully developed forelimbs contrast the independently land-adapted L. vertebrate lineage – the bullet runners, whom conquered land using rear-set limbs.

The tri-jaws of geigermanders also contrast their co-land invaders (Bullet Runner having regular vertical jaws). It is thought that this tri-jaw structure comes from tubular relatives that resemble Earthen leaches.