HOME | DD
blackfrog96 — Flying Tagumi
#nijinkonai #aliencreature #xenobiology #speculativeevolution #speculativebiology #speculativezoology #speculativexenobiology
Published: 2021-08-07 10:36:31 +0000 UTC; Views: 6745; Favourites: 107; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
The Flying Tagumi (Tagumi volans) is a species of Pyroichthyd Calamathroid Ichthyomorph from the southern regions of Najeete.
The most characteristic trait of this animal, from which the name originates, is its ability to jump out of water and glide, behaviour used by the animal to hunt.
Native only to a few rivers of south Najeete, this species takes part in daily migrations from the river mouths to upriver and back, prompted to do so by their hunting behaviour.
The rivers they're native to, in fact, are prone to tidal bores, used by many of their native organisms as easy ways to move around the jungle or hunt.
The Flying Tagumi surfs these bores to hunt for smaller flying animals such as Pleuropterygians fleeing the powerful waves and will use the strength of the bore itself to launch themselves in the air and open their pectoral fins to glide the air currents.
Flying Tagumis will thus migrate upstream to feed as they surf the bore and pass the remainder of the day following the currents back to the river mouths, travelling several kilometres downstream to reach areas where they can rest or idle until the next day.
Flying Tagumis are hunted by Razorbacks, Ichthyomorphs that co-evolved with them as dedicated predators.
The two animals ride the bore together as predator and prey as the Razorbacks take the opportunity to prey on them, however, during the migration to the east, the Razorback will have to pay attention to Tagumis, who will actively try to kill them if given the chance, to eliminate a future predator.
Like all other members of the Pyroichthydae, the Flying Tagumi is in a mutualistic relationship with algae in the throat pouch that the animal uses for defence purposes.
The acidic spit of the Flying Tagumi is often considered among the weakest in the family, not being strong enough to provoke any severe injuries in people if hit by it.
Flying Tagumis are used as a guide by locals to predict the bores and judge how safe crossing may be.
Plenty of Tagumis migrating downstream are sign the bore already passed and crossing is safe, Tagumis idling in shallow waters are waiting for the bore, it may be unsafe to cross or stay for extended amounts of time.
The daily migrations not only function as guides but also as a reliable source of food for many villages of the area, which will cast their nets after the bore to trap some of the animals swimming back after the event.
Join the Discord here:
Support me on Patreon:
Visit the store:
www.redbubble.com/people/Nijin…
