Cocoprong

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Revision as of 00:41, 14 August 2014 by imported>Coolsteph (New page: {{Species |name = Cocoprong |week = 25 |generation = 155 |creator = Coolsteph |image = Cocoprong.png |extant = |ancestor = Pinprong |size = 7 cm Ta...)
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Cocoprong
(Quillotestudo cocosimilis)
Main image of Cocoprong
Species is extant.
Information
CreatorCoolsteph Other
Week/Generation25/155
HabitatBlood Tropical River
Size7 cm Tall
Primary MobilityUnknown
SupportUnknown
DietPhotosynthesis
RespirationUnknown
ThermoregulationUnknown
ReproductionSuper Fast Asexual Budding, Very Resistant Spores
Taxonomy
Domain
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Quillotestudo
Quillotestudo cocosimilis
Ancestor:Descendants:

The pinprongs of the Dixon Savanna biome were hardy and had high reproductive rates, allowing them to spread into the Blood Salt Marsh. They were relatively quickly replaced by their specialized descendants, the cocoprongs, which then expanded their range into the Blood Tropical River.

Like coconuts, cocoprongs are able to float. They can float as buds or as adults, but the adults can survive longer afloat because of their energy reserves. These energy reserves consist of a swollen lower stem filled with starch. This stem is similar to a potato's tuber, but unlike potatoes, its stem is not underground.

Cocoprongs' roots are normally hidden underground, which is why the image does not depict them. Cocoprongs can shed their roots in times of flood. This is necessary to survive flooding, for cocoprongs are too small to poke above floodwaters and cannot survive submersion for too long. (To be specific, "too long" would be about twelve hours.) While at the top of the floodwaters, they will survive on minerals stored in their roots and perform photosynthesis as usual. The shed roots are a food source for any herbivorous scuttlers that can tolerate brackish water.

Their spikes have internal spaces filled with air, which helps keep them afloat and upright. The tuft-like leaves of the cocoprong produce a waterproofing exudate (fluid) so they do not become waterlogged.

Cocoprongs exist in such density that some branches of the Blood Tropical river can be entirely clogged with cocoprongs brought in from floodwaters. If there is enough dead and decaying matter in such areas, under the right conditions the water can gain a jelly-like consistency from all the dead shelpads. When this happens, local scuttlers can "walk on water" while searching for food or non-jellied water.