(no subject)

[usfuzzies]

A big thank you to everyone who's been bringing in research samples, and I can now almost conclusively say that the large pseudo-arthropods are -- look, I say 'pseudo arthropod' because a characteristic of arthropoda is a digestive tract, which quadratan spiders do not have.

Because why would they, why would anything on this planet make any kind of sense, that would be ludicrous.

Comments

[most_feared]

That doesn't make sense. But like you said, you figured that out.

Maybe there's some sorta queen somewhere, way underground. Though they don't seem bent on taking anything back, they could be soldiers rather than workers.

[That's his best guess.]

[usfuzzies]

I'll triple-check for hormone receptors-- no need to let the resemblance to earth fauna throw us off the scent trail.

But not even the most vestigial traces of organs for digestion, reproduction, metabolism-- I've never seen anything like it.

[most_feared]

I'm not thinking of Earth fauna. There's a species, nasty buggers back home, thrive off invasion and corruption. They're arthropods and work like that.

But yeah, they got stomachs at least.

[usfuzzies]

Interesting-- do you have any notes on their biology I could see?

There are plenty of species through the known universe that have a larval form that eats and then basically absorbs its own digestive tract in the metamorphic stage, becoming only a breeder or a worker-- but even those have some vestigal traces.

[most_feared]

I got a pretty good guide to their species but it's also got a history of infiltration and conquest. Some of how they take over ain't pleasant but it could be an interesting read when it comes to their behaviors.

Not even a trace, huh? Either they got it perfected or something real fishy is up with that.

[usfuzzies]

The other alternative is that their digestive mechanism is so unique I'm not recognizing any trace of it-- but other quadratan species have at least organs we recognize.

[most_feared]

In any case I'll try to get those books to you as soon as I can.

[usfuzzies]

Much appreciated, Agent.