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Description
Basal Truncstomatheres

  A prominent group of mostly herbivores, comparable to Earth ungulates in roles and diversity. "Trunkers" rose to prominence beginning with the first ice ages and the loss of equatorial habitats to rising sea levels. Many species were already adapted to feeding on the terrestrial algae that would soon dominate what remained of the land and so continued to spread as the formerly successful forests and scrublands of photosynthetic "fungi" (more along the lines of a plant-fungi intergrade) faded into oblivion, taking with them the many herbivores that specialized on them.
Trunkers usually dominate the niches of mid-sized to large herbivores, ranging from pig-like forms and tiny burrowers to immense giants resembling hippos and elephants. Their only major competition are the various and closely related rhinos, who are almost universally open terrain algae grazers. To the farther reaches of the south they coexist with the few remaining "mammoths", which survive mostly as pack animals of the Atrox Sapients. To the far north they live under the shadow of various multi-ton rhinos and the enigmatic Jotun and exist mostly as semiaquatic divers and fast-running pig types.
They are named for their pronounced and highly developed radulae, which often resembled trunks to varying degrees. This is most pronounced in the elephant-like forms and not so recognizable in more basal varieties. The radulae of trunkers are highly mobile and usually lined interiorly with grinding nodules that allow them to process algae, fungi, and whatever delectable refuse they could happen to chance upon. Owing to harsh conditions, most species are omnivorous to some degree save the more derived algae grazers. These "trunks" are often retractable and very similar to the radulae of the various rhinos. The trunkers and rhinos are actually very closely related and differentiate at an anatomical level mostly by differing skull structure.
Many species are semiaquatic, with marine divers, megafaunal giants resembling hippos, and (mostly extinct) lineages of tapir-like swamp dwellers. Almost all possess tusks of varying size and shape, and most have very poor to nonexistent vision, possessing at most small patches of photoreceptors. With incredible senses of smell, touch, and powerful sonar, sight is of little need to these creatures in a world of near-perpetual darkness.

  1: Beluatherium (extinct): An semiaquatic tapir equivalent. Healthy adults could exceed a ton or more. Tusks short, straight, and knife-like. Protrude well past the rostrum in old males and served as defensive weapons, through primarily used for digging for fungi and tubers. Flag-like tail structure used for intraspecies communication. Inhabited the temperature forests and wetlands that existed before the worst of the ice ages, former habitat is now covered in shallow ocean.

  2: Rostruporcus: Pig lookalike. The sole member of its genus and an inhabitant of the last few temperate pillar-forests. Omnivorous, extant populations feed opportunistically on fungi, algae, and carrion. Long radula evolutionary remnant from lusher past, when these creatures would use them to browse on now extinct vegetation. Radula can also be used to search out food deep underground, highly tactile. Average 200 pounds but well-fed individuals may weigh twice as much. Prey item of Mandroon and occasionally Quattors.

  3: Xenoporcus atrox: A member of the other extant genus of pig lookalikes. Adults weigh 100-300 pounds, though extinct southern populations could surpass 600. Aggressive, large tusks used primarily for territorial disagreements in males, females have straighter tusks used for digging and defense. Fast runners, serve as the "antelope" of fields and algae marshes. Can be found in artic regions but migrate south during the "deep cold", often overwinter in caves. Opportunistic omnivores and common prey of Quattors and Atrox Sapients.

  4: Mareequus: A very basal trunker. Range from 400-1,000 pounds in weight, depending on subspecies and food availability. Live in small herds along the far northern seas, resting on the shore or on ice floes, occasionally diving underwater to forage for marine algae. Sometimes feed on land, cumbersome and slow-moving. Navigate underwater by punting, excellent swimmers with good sonar. Closest Earth parallels include marine iguanas and extinct marine sloths. A favored prey item of Drumjawws and various aquatic predators.

  5: Vermiporcus: A good representation of the ancestral trunker form and one of the most basal extant trunkers. Herbivorous and found throughout temperate algae marshes, active only during the seasons of algae growth during which they feed extensively. Otherwise exist in a state of torpor a few feet below the surface. Large adults may reach ten pounds in weight. Shy but live in small family groups, rarely surface. Often hunted by Atrox Sapients and various predatory "worms".

Description
Basal Truncstomatheres

  A prominent group of mostly herbivores, comparable to Earth ungulates in roles and diversity. "Trunkers" rose to prominence beginning with the first ice ages and the loss of equatorial habitats to rising sea levels. Many species were already adapted to feeding on the terrestrial algae that would soon dominate what remained of the land and so continued to spread as the formerly successful forests and scrublands of photosynthetic "fungi" (more along the lines of a plant-fungi intergrade) faded into oblivion, taking with them the many herbivores that specialized on them.
Trunkers usually dominate the niches of mid-sized to large herbivores, ranging from pig-like forms and tiny burrowers to immense giants resembling hippos and elephants. Their only major competition are the various and closely related rhinos, who are almost universally open terrain algae grazers. To the farther reaches of the south they coexist with the few remaining "mammoths", which survive mostly as pack animals of the Atrox Sapients. To the far north they live under the shadow of various multi-ton rhinos and the enigmatic Jotun and exist mostly as semiaquatic divers and fast-running pig types.
They are named for their pronounced and highly developed radulae, which often resembled trunks to varying degrees. This is most pronounced in the elephant-like forms and not so recognizable in more basal varieties. The radulae of trunkers are highly mobile and usually lined interiorly with grinding nodules that allow them to process algae, fungi, and whatever delectable refuse they could happen to chance upon. Owing to harsh conditions, most species are omnivorous to some degree save the more derived algae grazers. These "trunks" are often retractable and very similar to the radulae of the various rhinos. The trunkers and rhinos are actually very closely related and differentiate at an anatomical level mostly by differing skull structure.
Many species are semiaquatic, with marine divers, megafaunal giants resembling hippos, and (mostly extinct) lineages of tapir-like swamp dwellers. Almost all possess tusks of varying size and shape, and most have very poor to nonexistent vision, possessing at most small patches of photoreceptors. With incredible senses of smell, touch, and powerful sonar, sight is of little need to these creatures in a world of near-perpetual darkness.

  1: Beluatherium (extinct): An semiaquatic tapir equivalent. Healthy adults could exceed a ton or more. Tusks short, straight, and knife-like. Protrude well past the rostrum in old males and served as defensive weapons, through primarily used for digging for fungi and tubers. Flag-like tail structure used for intraspecies communication. Inhabited the temperature forests and wetlands that existed before the worst of the ice ages, former habitat is now covered in shallow ocean.

  2: Rostruporcus: Pig lookalike. The sole member of its genus and an inhabitant of the last few temperate pillar-forests. Omnivorous, extant populations feed opportunistically on fungi, algae, and carrion. Long radula evolutionary remnant from lusher past, when these creatures would use them to browse on now extinct vegetation. Radula can also be used to search out food deep underground, highly tactile. Average 200 pounds but well-fed individuals may weigh twice as much. Prey item of Mandroon and occasionally Quattors.

  3: Xenoporcus atrox: A member of the other extant genus of pig lookalikes. Adults weigh 100-300 pounds, though extinct southern populations could surpass 600. Aggressive, large tusks used primarily for territorial disagreements in males, females have straighter tusks used for digging and defense. Fast runners, serve as the "antelope" of fields and algae marshes. Can be found in artic regions but migrate south during the "deep cold", often overwinter in caves. Opportunistic omnivores and common prey of Quattors and Atrox Sapients.

  4: Mareequus: A very basal trunker. Range from 400-1,000 pounds in weight, depending on subspecies and food availability. Live in small herds along the far northern seas, resting on the shore or on ice floes, occasionally diving underwater to forage for marine algae. Sometimes feed on land, cumbersome and slow-moving. Navigate underwater by punting, excellent swimmers with good sonar. Closest Earth parallels include marine iguanas and extinct marine sloths. A favored prey item of Drumjawws and various aquatic predators.

  5: Vermiporcus: A good representation of the ancestral trunker form and one of the most basal extant trunkers. Herbivorous and found throughout temperate algae marshes, active only during the seasons of algae growth during which they feed extensively. Otherwise exist in a state of torpor a few feet below the surface. Large adults may reach ten pounds in weight. Shy but live in small family groups, rarely surface. Often hunted by Atrox Sapients and various predatory "worms".