Clear-Wing Worm
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The clear-wing worm has replaced its ancestor in every habitat apart from a small population on Huggs Island due to their separation. The few remaining populations of twelve-winged worms that were left were under increasing pressure from the many new species of worm that had evolved around them. Whereas the twelve-winged worm was a generalist, many specialist worms had evolved from it that where better adapted to feed on a specific part of the worm's diet. But there was one new source of food that no worm had yet exploited. With nothing to eat them, whole areas had become covered by colonies of saproutine and tealspot cryoutine. The last mainland twelve-winged worms turned to this for food and over time evolved into the very successful clear-wing worm.
The clear-wing worm (once evolved) was able to spread wherever its food grew and as a result is now a common sight across Glicker. The main difference is their method of feeding. Once they find a colony of saproutine, they fly over the surface and scrape food off the surface as they go. They do this with a new retractable mouth. They have evolved many small spikes and bumps. The worm will place its mouth on the back and suck its mouth back into its head. This pulls the spikes and bumps across the cells, breaking peaces off. Once in the mouth the food is transported by hundreds of small hairs the beat the cells along. You can always tell if the worm is present because all the saproutine colonies in the area will have many small gaps in them. The worm will also digest any bark that is scrapped away as well.
For their new lifestyle, the worm no longer needs twelve complex wings. As most of their day is spent hovering in front of their food their wings have combined to form just six wings, each with the same use as the old ones. The front wings are used for active movement, the middle two are used for gliding and the final two are used for direction.
Living Relatives (click to show/hide)
