Painted Tapsi

Painted Tapsi
Creator	Zenith
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Painted Tapsi
Zones	C, C1
Roles	Base-Consumer
Classification
Genus	Chromaptera
Species	Chromaptera picticornus
Evolution
Date	October 5th, 2019
Ancestor	Banded Tapsi
Descendants	Black-Barred Tapsi

Descended from Junctopinna clavocauda
Zone C
45 cm (head to tail) 45 cm (primary wingspan)

Adaptations: The Painted Tapsi has developed several notable adaptations, the most obvious of which being a primitive beak powered by relatively powerful jaw muscles. This beak is a structure that began as hardened patches of skin, and now has a structure similar to that of keratin. These patches, and eventually the beak, are favorable, as they allow the Tapsi to more efficiently tear into the flesh of fruit and crack open large seeds, which are another source of nutrients.
A few minor adaptations are a less rigid tail with 2 additional "fins" that allows for more dynamic mating and small crests on the necks of males to aid in attracting mates. These fins began as flaps of skin, but resulted in increased stabilization so they were favored and eventually became more rigid. They’ve also increased in size due to access to more nutrients.

Feeding: Junctopinna picticornus feeds almost entirely on seeds, fruit, and nectar, though it will resort to eating leaves in time of shortage. It eats the seeds of A. paralius, C. berrioks, C. yellionuis, L. clearensis, S. vinensis, T. boforna, T. florus, U. nayobus, and U. procerus, as well as the fruit of C. berrioks. It also feeds on the nectar of M. longatumus, M. twistus , S. vinensis, and T. florus.

Reproduction: Painted Tapsis reproduce sexually, with heavily ornamented males attracting much plainer females through their colors and song. This display proves that the male has genes good enough to avoid predators while being colorful and gain enough nutrients to produce that much color. 10-15 Soft eggs are lain in the canopy of trees and are fertilized externally. One third of hatchlings typically make it to adulthood, due to falling from trees and predation.