HOME | DD

Description
Macrotifers are decsended from microscopic animals called rotifers.

Macrotifer diversity in river and stream environments. Minnofers are small freshwater filter feeders, they are hunted by Carnifers which usually reach about a foot long.
Carnifers have much smaller vestigial coronas, instead using serated jaws to catch prey. They will typically turn their bodies sideways before catching their prey so the jaws clamp down vertically and apply more pressure.
Spread across river bottoms, the Grovifers form large beds of 2 - 6 inch long rotifers. Males are far less common and only hatch during winter, but still occupy a similar benthic filter feeding niche. Female Grovifers either let eggs float down stream or they can inch worm to another location to lay their eggs. Males will broadcast spawn and hope their sperm lands on a female.
Both of these groups have reached a large enough size for a more refined circulatory system to evolve. The larger the macrotifers, the more flat their body and the longer their lateral cilia become. This is for proper diffusion, since they still breathe through permeable skin. The larger species now also have blood in the form of hemocyanin. Blood is pumped by movements of the body walls and contractions of the tail.

These animals are for a Speculative evolution project called Alluvius, a terraformed world seeded with only the most obscure zooplankton along with coral and sponges. Nematodes, nemerteans, and rotifers are currently the most abundant creatures. If you're interested in seeing a seeded world filled with alien yet familiar animals, join our discord server! discord.gg/wxv5Nh32px

Description
Macrotifers are decsended from microscopic animals called rotifers.

Macrotifer diversity in river and stream environments. Minnofers are small freshwater filter feeders, they are hunted by Carnifers which usually reach about a foot long.
Carnifers have much smaller vestigial coronas, instead using serated jaws to catch prey. They will typically turn their bodies sideways before catching their prey so the jaws clamp down vertically and apply more pressure.
Spread across river bottoms, the Grovifers form large beds of 2 - 6 inch long rotifers. Males are far less common and only hatch during winter, but still occupy a similar benthic filter feeding niche. Female Grovifers either let eggs float down stream or they can inch worm to another location to lay their eggs. Males will broadcast spawn and hope their sperm lands on a female.
Both of these groups have reached a large enough size for a more refined circulatory system to evolve. The larger the macrotifers, the more flat their body and the longer their lateral cilia become. This is for proper diffusion, since they still breathe through permeable skin. The larger species now also have blood in the form of hemocyanin. Blood is pumped by movements of the body walls and contractions of the tail.

These animals are for a Speculative evolution project called Alluvius, a terraformed world seeded with only the most obscure zooplankton along with coral and sponges. Nematodes, nemerteans, and rotifers are currently the most abundant creatures. If you're interested in seeing a seeded world filled with alien yet familiar animals, join our discord server! discord.gg/wxv5Nh32px