Urshowad

The urshowad split from its ancestor and migrated south-east to the Slarti Salt Flats. It has a symbiotic relationship with the urkamen, a crystal shell that gives it protection and energy from photosynthesis. The two organisms share whatever food they get by integrating their circulatory systems. The integration is much more intimate than in their ancestors', who would consume each-others' sap and blood. In the urkamen and urshowad, the sap and blood flow in the same vessels, mixing together. The urshowad itself has no sensory organs. All of the organs are found on the urkamen, which itself is incapable of interpreting signals nor act upon them. The urkamen sends all it receives to the urshowad for interpretation. The two organisms are connected through openings in the urshowad's back. The openings allow circulatory vessels and nerve paths to go between the two organisms. The urshowad is born with a highly segmented body, but as the organism grows, the segments fuse on the ventral side while opening up on the dorsal side, creating the openings. The urshowad runs on all six legs, but when eating, it will stand on its four back legs and use its front two legs as arms to scoop food towards its mouth. The organism is hermaphroditic and reproduces with itself. Though it is genetically possible for two individuals to procreate, it is very difficult in practice due to the urshowads stiff body plan and the sharp spines of the urkamen. Individuals will lay several eggs at a time inside large carrion. The parent will guard the carrion during this time to ensure that no other organisms come along and eat it.