False Swamp Plort

False Swamp Plort
Creator	OviraptorFan
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	False Swamp Plort
Zones	19, F
Roles	Producer
Classification
Genus	Pelliplortatus
Species	Pelliplortatus erexituradix
Evolution
Date	December 29th, 2020
Ancestor	Drifting Furry Plort
Descendants	No results

Originated in zones 19 and F (specifically dwelling in waters as deep as 3 feet underwater and on the banks of the river)
8-9 feet tall

As populations of Miniplortatus summapellicius thrived in Zone F, they began to face competition with one another. This led to certain populations adapting to live on the banks and in the shallows of Zone 19 to avoid competition with their kin and eventually becoming a new species.

In many ways, Miniplortatus erexituradix bears some similarities to the extinct Miniplortatus uca, but their adaptations developed for slightly different reasons. While the roots of Miniplortatus uca helped them to respire even when the land was flooded, the roots of Miniplortatus erexituradix were adapted to provide a stable base in the fast-flowing waters of Zone 19 by flaring out and generally growing deeper. To aid in respiration while partially submerged, the roots of Miniplortatus erexituradix have developed aerenchyma to facilitate gas exchange down the deepest parts of the roots. Aside from this main adaptation, they resemble their ancestors in terms of reproduction and ecological niche. Their vines have seeds covered in trichomes, although they are less dense than their ancestors, which then break off and get carried by the wind until they fall either onto the shore or into the water. If the seeds land in water, the trichomes get saturated which then results in the seeds to sink and thus get into the sediment quickly. Once the seeds settle, the polyph takes about 4 months to reach their full size and then producing their seeds year-round. The stomata are reduced on their leaves as saplings so they have a smaller risk of being flooded by water, but they become larger and more numerous as they approach their adult size. Seeds that settle on the riverbed often fall prey to the local helixes of the zone.