Circulix tractus

Circulix tractus
Creator	Squidy
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	3, 5, 6, 7, 12
Roles	Base-consumer
Classification
Genus	Circulix
Species	Circulix tractus
Evolution
Date	February 5th, 2019
Ancestor	Circulix impetus
Descendants	No results

Circulix tractus descended from Circulix impetus that would occassionally get affixed to larger organisms while jetting around looking for food, particularily G. flotensis.

This species features long, sticky, taste-sensitive tentacles, which grow all the way down to the seafloor. As their host moves, their tentacles are dragged along, picking up seeds of P. flotatortensis and P. forensus. The seeds are then reeled in towards their mouths, and the tentacles are once again extended.

Their tentacles will often get caught on various objects and break off, but they are able to grow back relatively quickly. Some specimens feature tentacles in the hundreds to make up for losses. There is no consistency in the number of tentacles among specimens, but it is thought to increase according to the number lost over their lifetime.

C. tractus spends its entire life attached to its host, forming growing clusters as they reproduce. Unlike C. impetus, they do not feature water jets and are unable to move without a host. If detatched, their chances of survival are very slim. If their host leaves the water, they retract into their shells to retain as much moisture as possible. Because they stick very closely and don't expose much of their flesh, they can last a good amount of time before drying out.

They do not directly harm their host, although large clusters appear to be somewhat uncomfortable and heavy.