Water Struti
Facing predation and competition from larger muscals, a population of dwarf struti (Strutiocheilius mesomasaous) split off and turned to Zone 17. Using its already-existing long legs, the water struti wades through the water and munches on the various native polyphs. It spends most of its time in water, usually only returning to shore to nest. It is 2.6 feet long and 1.5 feet tall. Though its long legs are now used to keep its body above the water’s surface and occasionally to swim, it retains its ancestral ability to sprint on land. Its tail is a little shorter and skinner than its' ancestor's to move its center of gravity forwards, and its feet are slightly webbed; these are adaptations for swimming when it needs to do so, especially as a baby.
The water struti’s display feathers are slightly more waterproof than its ancestor’s, being not so easily ruined by prolonged submersion; the feathers covering its thighs and its tail fan in particular are not as soft to minimize water damage, while otherwise an oily sweat-like substance inherited from distant aquatic ancestors coats its feathers to help prevent soaking. Still, the feathers serve the same purpose of helping select a mate with elaborate mating dances. They nest in Zone G, and after mating, the female lays 2-6 eggs in a shallow nest dug in the ground which hatch after about 5 weeks. Hatchlings are already able to walk and swim, and they follow their parents a lot like ducklings until they can fend for themselves. Water strutis are fully grown at 6 months of age.
Like its ancestor, the water struti has good hearing which allows it to listen for predators. Its diet consists primarily of A. anoterus, A. limnizoius, and clumps of M. greana--especially during the latter’s algal blooms. Those nesting on land are preyed on by D. volturcephalus.