Strutiocheilius

Strutiocheilius
Information
Rank	Genus
Status	Extant
Common Ancestor	Struti
Species	Struti
Classification
Family	Wyvernsauridae
Genus	Strutiocheilius

Strutiocheilius is a genus of wyvern which contains various superficially ostrich- or ornithomimid-like creatures. All members of this genus are flightless bipedal herbivores. They commonly have colorful display feathers on their arms, tail, and ears.

The first member of this genus is the Struti (Strutiocheilius azurelotus), which is a descendant of the Western Desert Wyvern (Dracowyverious gymnocephalus). So far, all of the struti's descendants remain within this genus.

Ears and Hearing

Members of this genus are notable for their ears. At a glance, they resemble mammalian ears--but closer inspection reveals that the pinnae are supported by the bony horn-like crests found in many other wyverns. Skin surrounding the tympanic membrane flares out into mammal-like ear shape, allowing sensitive hearing which Strutiocheilius use to listen for predators. More derived species, such as the Hornear (Strutiocheilius oploaftius), have a short tube of skin that functions as the ear canal for additional sensitivity.