HOME | DD
Tree-Sparrow — Ancestral Anatomy of an Intestinopsan
#alien #anatomy #astrobiology #cerberus #evolution #exobiology #life #medusa #scifi #space #speculative #maxivita #intestinopsa #dolicha #extraterrestrial #sciencefiction #speculativeevolution #speculativebiology #speculativexenobiology
Published: 2022-05-21 17:12:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 13332; Favourites: 76; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
These diagrams depict the ancestral base anatomy of the maxivitan phylum Intestinopsa (also called chipworms) from the exoplanet Cerberus.Dolicha:
The dolicha is the sexually reproductive life phase of intestinopsans. They are bilaterally symmetrical and simple, with most species being very small and being aquatic or living in tubes or burrows in the sediment.
The body is divided into two main regions: the trunk, and the feeding palps.
Palps & Cecae: Palps are the feeding appendages of the dolicha life phase. These are hollow and in most species possess stinging cells to immobilise and capture prey (similar to the cnidocytes of cnidarians on Earth). Once prey is obtained, the Palps flatten and engulf it, after which it is digested externally. Nutrients enter the Tentacular Cecae and are channeled to the trunk, into the Gastric Cecae. These organs serve to distribute nutrients through the chipworm. Alongside this, the Cecae are used as excretory organs. Metabolic waste diffuses into the Gastric Cecae and into the surrounding environment through the Palps. The exact anatomy and number of the feeding Palps varies considerably between species.
Reproductive System: the Gonads are positioned towards the anterior of the organism. Some species are hermaphroditic while others are gonochoristic. A reproductive pore is present at the apex of the trunk, through which gametes are released. Fertilisation may be external or internal depending on species.
Ectodermis: the "skin" of intestinopsans.
Mass of Body: the body mass of intestinopsans contains muscles, a nerve net (or true nervous system in more advanced species), and stem cells used in body repair.
Terminal Appendages: terminal appendages vary considerably between species. Here, Grasping Appendages are shown. However, some species may instead possess gills, adhesive structures, defensive structures, or no appendages at all.
Medusa:
The medusa is the asexually reproductive life phase of intestinopsans. They are radially symmetrical, flat, slug-like organisms which creep along substrates with a ciliated ventral epithelium.
Ventral Epithelium: the Ventral Epithelium is the locomotory and feeding surface in the medusa life phase. Ciliated cells push the organism over a surface of mucous excreted by gland cells on the ventral surface. Phagocytic cells digest organic matter beneath the organism as it moves.
Bud Eggs: at the top of the medusa, egg shaped structures develop. These contain developing dolicha which are genetic clones of their parent. In some species, Bud Eggs hatch while still attached to the medusa, while in others they are released and hatch in the outside environment. Additionally, there are species which never leave the medusa as dolicha. In these species, the dolichae remain attached, acting as defenders of their parent, using their stinging Palps to fend off would-be predators.
Ectodermis: the "skin" of intestinopsans.
Mass of Body: the body mass of intestinopsans contains muscles, a nerve net (few medusae develop anything more complex), and stem cells used in body repair.
Body Core: the Body Core is a strengthened portion of the medusa that may or may not be present depending on the species. It is a support structure. The top of this structure protrudes somewhat and is called the "Button". The exact morphology of a species' Button can be a key species identifier.
More info about chipworms:
www.deviantart.com/tree-sparro…
www.deviantart.com/tree-sparro…
