Flame-Winged Tapsi
Descended from Juctopinna silvavolus
Zone D
60 cm head to tail, 100 cm primary wingspan
Adaptations:
Juctopinna ignicornus has developed several major adaptations since its ancestor has moved into Zone D. First off, a cavity specialized in smell has developed in the roof of its mouth, and two small slit shaped nostrils now connect from the outside of its face to these. This cavity is filled with specialized taste buds that are more effective at picking up airborne scents than taste. These new nostrils allow Juctopinna ignicornus to detect prey and avoid predators more effectively.
Second up is that the tail has become somewhat less rigid than its ancestors. This is to allow it to pursue prey in Zone D's forests more effectible, at the cost of steering during flight. This, however, is almost negligible due to the larger fins located on the Flame-winged Tapsi's head and base of the tail.
Perhaps the most important adaptations that Juctopinna ignicornus has developed involve feeding. This adaptation is twofold: First off, the Flame-winged Tapsi has develop the ability to unhinge its lower jaw and suspend it using tendons and ligaments, in order to allow it to swallow larger prey whole. The lower jaw is also separated into two parts during this process. This first appeared in the species as less connected jaws were selected for allowing them to swallow larger prey and access a wider food source. The second prong of these feeding adaptations are a set of very primitive teeth that take the form of ridges that extend from the bone of both the upper and lower jaw. These do not break the skin of the Tapsi and can't effectively hurt other organisms, but they provide extra grip while trying to swallow prey whole. Special saliva glands in the mouth lubricate the prey item and allow it to slide down smoother, as well as aid in digestion.
Feeding:
This Tapsi is an opportunistic predator and feeds on many of the same food sources as its ancestor, as well as larger prey. Prey includes: B. purpla, C. caeruleum, C. equinoxum, C. flumum, I. arbora, F. distringia, K. killiskippus, O. flectopesus, I. allium, R. subaquatica, S. opposa, T. purpa, T. takydromus, V. cuniculum, A. soarus, V. noctus, J. ovicomus, as well as smaller individuals of J. harpiesis, D. brunus, D. purpurus, P. vorax, T. jumpus.
They will occasionally feed on eggs as their ancestors J. silvavolus and J. ovicomus, though not as much as either, and will occasionally dare to snatch eggs and hatchlings from the nests of D. robustus and various species of wyverns.
After feeding on larger individuals of prey, Juctopinna ignicornus will often rest for long periods to allow them to digest.
Reproduction:
Male Flame-winged Tapsis use their titular red, orange, and yellow wings as well as calls to attract prospective females. This orange coloration is created by placing the pigments for yellow and red in the same area. The males use their colorful display and attention attracting calls in order to prove to females that their genes are viable and worth being passed on through sexual selection.
Fertilization now takes place within the body cavity of the female, who keeps allows the eggs to develop for about a week within the body cavity. This was selected for, as the eggs now have an additional week to mature without being eaten. Containing eggs within itself does make the female somewhat heavier in flight, but the power of four wings as well as periods of digestive rest are able to contradict this. After a week of gestation, these purple bark colored eggs, lain in treetops now feature a somewhat thicker but still leathery shell that gest softer ass the offspring matures (to allow it to actually be able to hatch.) This additional protection is a measure to try to deter smaller predators of eggs. Clutches consist of 8-10 eggs, 4-5 of which, on average, make it to adulthood.
