Contracting Pyamus

Splitting from its ancestor, the contracting pyamus has grown larger while spreading throughout LadyM Polar Sea. A unique adaption has evolved in this species, ligament-like structures within its red fungi-like flesh that connect the chitinous segments. Should it sense something feeding on it, such as a echofin, its ligament-like structures contract, sealing the chitinous segments together while still allowing a trickle of oxygenated water through. A useful defense, it does, however, have one major drawback. While sealed up, it cannot feed, and must eventually open. However, most predators will leave by then do to it can stay sealed up for several hours at a time if well fed.