[Multimedia] Xeno Studies

by Hekachoc (Hekateras)

Summary:

Tang finds Dys's sketchbook.

Notes:

• For ThoughtsCascade.

Year 1

HOPEYE Xenofelis monopodus

• CUTE
• PRETTY AGGRRESSIVE SOMETIMES (SWARMING)
• HIDING cryptic camouflage

I knew you were sneaking out!
Don't let the grown-ups catch you with these, dummy

STAY OUT OF MY STUFF

 

Year 3

 

UNISAUR - Xenosaurus unicorn

Please tell me you weren't reckless enough to get this close

Who is that supposed to be?

STAY OUT OF MY STUFF

 

SYMBIOSIS

 

Year 8

BUSHBUB (Xenosynth arborescens)

• SAW ONE WITH BABIES TODAY
• AT LEAST FOUR, MAYBE MORE
• REALLY CUTE ♥

Zoochory is even more widespread on Vertumna than we thought, but this raises intriguing questions.

Juveniles are sensitive, so material for its 'shrine' must be selected carefully.

MAYBE THE FUNGAL MASSES HELP THEM GROW

A tight mutualism. It's possible.

 

Year 9

 

I need you to look something over for me. You're the field expert, after all. Let me know if you have any comments or corrections.

- T

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Hyphae networks geographically recapitulate Xenosynth arborescensBUSHBUB migration patterns

Vertumnan flora and fauna have been established to exist in tight symbiotic relationships ranging from mutualistic to parasitic, with the Bushbub (Xenosynth arborescens) representing an early discovery of a species embroiled in such interactions. Characterising these relationships is a key step in advancing our familiarity with the native ecosystem in order to identify both exploitable resources and weak points with increased vulnerability to perturbation, as well as keystone species that serve as drivers of trophic structure and perform load-bearing ecosystem services. To this end, Research has completed a DNA sampling survey of the Colony Surroundings, Prosaic Plains, Subaquaceous Swamp and Valley of Vertigo in tight collaboration with the Survey Team. The nearby Wresting Ridges region was sampled only sparsely on account of the pilot study demonstrating that the region is arid, dangerous for junior surveyors to traverse, and shows little to no traffic by the mobile xenofauna species of interest.

Preliminary findings demonstrate that at least 12 genetically distinct clades of colony-forming fungi, 3 clades of slime molds, and 58 genera of sessile flora nominally classified as plants make heavy use of X. arborescens BUSHBUB life cycles and migration patterns for both reproduction and dispersal (zoochory). Fully mature X. arborescens BUSHBUBS are particularly impactful, as adult X. arborescens BUSHBUBS collect and transport agglomerations of organic and inorganic material, colloquially referred to as "shrines". These shrines incorporate both living and decomposing fungal and plant matter as well as chunks of collected minerals, and serve a multitude of functions: protection and buffering against abiotic factors, padding against predator attack, food reserves, and a mobile shelter for juveniles. There is some evidence of X. arborescens BUSHBUBS specialising in one function over another, and the architecture and composition of such shrines has proven to differ accordingly. For example, shrines agglomerated for the purposes of shelter and predator defense contain up to 38% more in surface minerals compared to shrines as incubation and nesting sites for the young. How X. arborescensBUSHBUBS select their shrine components and whether fungal spores, plant seeds and living flora are passive beneficiaries of the agglomeration habits and lifestyle of X. arborescens BUSHBUBS, or active hitchhikers, remains a thrilling question for the Vertumnan xenobiology scientific community.

A more detailed introduction of the X. arborescens BUSHBUB lifestyle is in order to establish why [ EXPAND ]

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Fine. We'll do it your way.

- T