Bejeweled Emperor Scylarian: Difference between revisions
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One of the larger splits off the rosy scylarian, the bejeweled emperor scylarian has evolved a more robust, powerful form, as well as a prominent tailfin and larger flippers. A much more capable swimmer than any scylarian that has come before it, they effortlessly
These scylarian mate for life, forming pairs that will stick together for their entire lives, which can be as long as twenty years. Working together, they cooperate to hunt down various smaller prey species, often forcing them into bait balls before slamming into them with mouths agape in order to devour as many as they can, as well as potentially stun others for later consumption once the prey inevitably disperse. Young - often born in groups of seven or eight - are
Their name arises from their bones, which, upon the removal of the surrounding flesh, appear to be nearly an iridescent shade of green in color. At a glance, one would not be faulted for thinking that it was the bones themselves that have taken up this near-luminescent, vibrant coloration, but this is not what is going on here. In actuality, this emerald-like hue is due to the presence of a pigment known as biliverdin that, like in the gar and such of Earth, saturates the structural protein known as collagen that encompasses the bones, particularly in the regions of the spin. This overly pigment-rich protein is the true source of the coloration, for without it, the bones of the bejeweled emperor scylarian would be no different from those of any of its kin.
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