Shoveling Roomba
Capilliarmus antarctipoda that live in the arctic regions of South Etelama expend a lot of energy digging burrows with their hoof-like appendages. Part of the South Etelama population of C. antarctipoda’s front pair of appendages began taking a shovel-like shape after many generations and the second segment of the body became larger for more muscle attachment to make the forelimbs stronger. These adaptations led to Capilliarmus trullipoda.
C. trullipoda reaches 34cm. C. trullipoda’s first pair of appendages are now held under the head and used for digging. The shovel-like shape of the forelimbs allows for lower energy expenditure while digging, they swing perpendicular to the body. The other five pairs of appendages remain hoof-like and are used for walking. The exoskeleton is still covered in many hairs to capture heat.
They have 5 part digestive tracts that uses Polyphagii duocytus for digestion. They still gather socially in groups of 5-7, building mounds of snow, soil, and pieces of dead polyphs, and dig a burrow under the pile. The burrows still have a V-shaped entrance, the main chamber with a chimney hole, and a storage chamber. The storage chamber is dug deeper into the ground to provide greater insulation and because C. trullipoda are more efficient diggers. Individuals may still leave a group if there is overcrowding and only the strongest individuals will leave the burrow to forage for detritus, A. abstractus, and P. panensis.
Once a year they will reproduce by filling an old molt with detritus, they will lay 10-20 eggs in it, and fertilize the eggs externally. All members are hermaphrodites so they can lay eggs and fertilize eggs. The weakest individuals in a group that are unable to leave the burrow will care for the eggs. 2.5cm long hatchlings will emerge from the surviving eggs. They will molt once a year and reach maturity around 34cm.
