Barnapede

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Barnapede
(Contorticaris crispico)
Artwork of Barnapede
Species is extant.
Creator Coolsteph Other
Taxonomy
Domain
Kingdom
Subkingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Phoenoplastida
Pansegmentocaudazoa
Segmentocaudazoa
Anipeda
Nariremuliformes
Eunariremuliformes
Contorticaridae
Contorticaris
Contorticaris crispico
Week/Generation 24/154
Habitat Elerd Temperate Coast, Chum Tropical Bay, Soma Temperate Sea, Clarke Temperate Coast, King Tropical Coast, Ramul Temperate Coast, Darkov Temperate Coast
Size 2 cm Long
Primary Mobility Unknown
Support Unknown
Diet Planktivore
Respiration Unknown
Thermoregulation Ectotherm
Reproduction Asexual, Spores


Barnapedes live in shallow U-shaped burrows, their heads sticking out at one end and their tails from the other. Its feathery antennae and tail bristles beat rhythmically to draw detritus into their constantly open mouths. The stiff bristles on the back of a barnapede lodge the barnapede into its burrow and help it dig. In this way, the bristles are similar to the setae of earthworms.

Adult barnapedes prefer to stay in one burrow throughout their lives. If plucked from the burrow, they are lethargic, and highly unlikely to create a new burrow. The only thing that will rouse them from their stupor is encountering a pit or burrow in the nearby mud. Upon sensing this burrow or pit, the barnapede will actively but fitfully work on enlarging and investigating the burrow.

Young barnapedes, in contrast, float freely. While floating, their bodies are almost always contorted into a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped form. As they float, they beat their antennae and tail bristles, causing them to slowly roll forward in the water. When they grow to 0.5 cm, they settle to the seafloor and construct a burrow. They may also use preexisting burrows, and like the jongfoll they may inadvertently use burrows that are unfortunately not abandoned.