Acutognathus fellio
This oculolophid has many features in common with its relative Oculolophus caecus from next door Zone K, but shares its own differences and unique ways of life.
Acutognathus fellio is specialized for feeding directly from the Phallucaulis semaprogandos polyphs, using its chitinous needle-like conical structure attached to its mouth to suck up the seed from the tubes of mature individuals and consume it for its own nutrition and water intake. Its body is rather long, at forty centimeters (40cm) in length, but is also rather skinny. This body plan allows for Acutognathus fellio to use its abdominal muscles to lift up the torso to bring the head into the polyph, and the head tilts to bring the needle downwards to suck out the seed juices. They will not climb the Phallucaulis semaprogandos themselves as it is too steep, but will leave their tail on the ground and only extend their head and torso upwards. It will leave in pursuit of another Phallucaulis semaprogandos once it has had its fill or the juices are empty.
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Like as in Oculolophus caecus, Acutognathus fellio lacks a set of eyes and uses its auditory system for echolocation, with the crest on top. The crest will tap two (2) times a second when foraging around, but will tap more slowly at one (1) time per second when it is decided which polyph to feed off of. Acutognathus fellio also has a hollow cartilaginous "backbone" that is used to support the body, and contains muscles for movement and skin that allows oxygen in and out through diffusion. They have a sense of taste and can smell up to one meter (1m) from the body with its skin from any direction.
Acutognathus fellio reproduces sexually, with males and females having extremely low sexual dimorphism. They fully mature within ten (10) weeks after leaving the egg. Mature individuals will attempt to reproduce with any other individuals that they come across, sliding their cloacas together. Males will release semen into the other partner's cloaca. In cases that the mates are same-sex, these attempts are not successful. When the mates are opposite-sex, the attempts are successful. Fertilized females will lay fifteen (15) eggs to fend for themselves, and will mate once a month.
