Grasping Tregon

Trigons in the depths of the Jujubee Ocean were an immensely successful species, their oddly-shaped bodies adapting perfectly to their niche as a small carnivore. Unchanged for millions of years, these creatures thrived in plenty. When the biosphere of Sagan 4 was traumatized in a mass extinction, the already numerous trigons prospered even further at the vast amounts of food now available. As evolution forged on a new chapter in evolutionary history, the trigons diversified, evolving to fill newly available niches. Tregons are in an evolutionary stage between vertebrates and invertebrates. Although they have a thin exoskeleton, it is a vestigial means of defense and support, an evolutionary left-over from their invertebrate ancestors. The tregons differ in the fact that they have a collagen notochord running down the length of their main body, allowing them more flexibility than a rigid exoskeleton. Cartilage plates placed routinely around their body protect their primitive organs. The grasping tregon is a large parasite, its five arms having specialized into club-like tentacles, with a powerful sucker at each end. These powerful arms are used to attach themselves to prey, which is followed by a deep and often painful penetration by a large spike-like proboscis where the mouth should be located. Utilizing hardened clumps of sensitive hair on its back, it is able to sense minute vibrations in the water. Since the grasping tregon has evolved to occupy a different niche then that of its ancestor, it has branched off instead of replacing it directly.