Squirm-Worm

Squirm-Worm
Creator	LucasDaVinci
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Squirm-Worm
Zones	3
Roles	Detritivore, Predator
Classification
Genus	Duocerus
Species	Duocerus mobilus
Evolution
Date	February 11th, 2021
Ancestor	Duocerus pluma
Descendants	No results

Like its ancestor, Duocerus mobilus is a sessile, filter-feeding marine muscal found in the temperate waters of Zone 3.

Rather than burrowing the lower part of its body in the substrate, it uses numerous small divets in its lower outgrowths to adhere to surfaces. The divets act as suction cups, allowing the organism to adhere wider variety of surfaces that it would not have otherwise been able to burrow in. With the help of concentrated neurons in these outgrowths, they are able to sense minute movements in the substrate. If they detect the approach of a burrowing predator, such as F. curriculum, they contract their outgrowths to release the suction cups all at once and swim away with their fronds to a new location.

As a filter feeder, it captures particles from the water using the two feather-like appendages at the front of its body, folding them down into its mouth to feed. To discourage predators, the outer edges of the appendages feature calcium carbonate spikes. In the event one of the appendages becomes damaged, it is consumed by the organism and a new one grows in its place.

They have two distinct sexes and and are springtime broadcast breeders, releasing large amounts of sperm and eggs into the water. The young form into a ~0.5cm planktonic larvae stage, and feed on particulate matter in the water column until they are ~1cm, at which point they will adhere to a surface and continue maturing. When fully mature they are about 3cm in their fronds across.