Pinktip Sukapod
Monodactylsukapredadensis burrapredadensis is a Sukopod with four paired three-segmented legs, eight body segments, and paired abdominal appendages. The first legs are long and wide with the final segment forming a dactyl. M. burrepredadensis uses its forelimbs to dig in search of prey. When prey is found it will grab it using the dactyl on its forelimb and tear it apart. The next three leg pairs are for walking and end in a pointed segment. The paired abdominal appendages are two segmented and aid in swimming and reproduction. It has paired antennae and paired eyes on stalks that are on the front of the head. The antennae are chemosensory and mechanosensory are the primary sensory organs of M. burrapredadensis. The stalked eyes are movable and M.burrapredadensis will adjust them to look in different directions. There is one pair of single segmented mandibular mouthparts M. burrapredadensis used to chew prey.
The second segment of the body grows a large plate over the two segments behind it, this plate protects the front of the and the weak points between segments. The three terminal segments are used primarily for swimming and house many of the organs responsible for food processing. The final segment has paired single segmented appendages that form into flat plates that stick out from the sides of the body. These appendages allow M. burrapredadensis to flick its tail towards the underside of its body and push against the water causing it to be pushed backwards. M. burrapredadensis will do this to escape threats.
M. burrapredadensis reproduces sexually by external fertilization. When a female encounters a male she will lays her eggs on the substrate from her anal opening on the seventh segment. The male with then stand next to the female and release sperm from his anal opening. The mother will carry the eggs under her abdomen for a month before they hatch.
M. burrapredadensis has four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The egg is a 0.1cm round typically dark colored sphere. The larva is a gray to tan eight segment detritivore with 3 pairs of legs and mandibles but lacks all other appendages. The larva lives in the substrate feeding on detritus, primarily detritus from polyphs, and will undergo several molts as it grows. The larva is about 0.5cm when it hatches and will grow to 30cm-35cm over the course of 10-14 months. Once it reaches 30-35cm it will burrow into the substrate and molt into the pupal stage. The pupa is 30cm, brown, oblong, with defined segments, dark eyes, and a pointed head. The pupal stage is dormant as M. burrapredadensis metamorphoses into the adult stage, this usually takes 4-6 weeks. The newly emerged adult will remain in the substrate for another 2 weeks as it’s exoskeleton sclerotizes. Once it is ready it will emerge and begin life as an adult. The adults will continue to molt their exoskeleton and grow continuously typically reaching maximum sizes of 40cms long, older individuals may reach 45cms.
