Spiny Piloroot

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Spiny Piloroot
(Raphidireus io)
Main image of Spiny Piloroot
Species is extant.
Information
CreatorCoolsteph Other
Week/Generation24/153
HabitatBarlowe High Desert
Size34 cm Tall
Primary MobilitySessile
SupportUnknown
DietPhotosynthesis, Detrivore
RespirationPassive (Stomata)
ThermoregulationEctotherm
ReproductionSexual (Fruit with Seeds), Asexual (Detaching Roots)
Taxonomy
Domain
Kingdom
Subkingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Phoenoplastida
Phoenophyta
Rhagioanthia
Phoenopoopsida
Pilosotuberales
Ireopyrgaceae
Raphidireus
Raphidireus io
Ancestor:Descendants:

The spiny piloroot has developed rows of spines. These spines protect it from its chief predator/herbivore, the desert phantomshell. As it takes a while for the spines to grow, younger spiny piloroots rely on their small size to protect themselves. Since they are much smaller than adult desert phantomshells, they can avoid detection by being too low to the ground for the "antennae" to brush against.* After several years at a certain size, they undergo a growth spurt, in which they become twice as big and grow spines in a relatively short amount of time. Only after they are taller and have spines in place do they grow fruits.