Smirking Soriparasite: Difference between revisions
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While the smirking soriparasite also feeds on carpozoan blood, they generally have to contend with the lazarus soriparasite whose dentition is much better suited to only feed on blood which thus tends to result in smirking soriparasites being more uncommon on carpozoans. On the flip-side, the smirking soriparasites adaptations to slice off bits of skin on plents gives it a distinct advantage over its ancestor on this specific group of hosts. This results in relative niche partitioning between the two species, although smirking soriparasites are common on both carpozoans and plents in areas where their ancestor is absent. |
While the smirking soriparasite also feeds on carpozoan blood, they generally have to contend with the lazarus soriparasite whose dentition is much better suited to only feed on blood which thus tends to result in smirking soriparasites being more uncommon on carpozoans. On the flip-side, the smirking soriparasites adaptations to slice off bits of skin on plents gives it a distinct advantage over its ancestor on this specific group of hosts. This results in relative niche partitioning between the two species, although smirking soriparasites are common on both carpozoans and plents in areas where their ancestor is absent. |
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[[File:Smirking Soriparasite feeding pose.png|thumb|left|A smirking soriparasite using the side of its mouth to feed on the skin of a [[ |
[[File:Smirking Soriparasite feeding pose.png|thumb|left|A smirking soriparasite using the side of its mouth to feed on the skin of a [[hornboss]].]] |
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Their adaptations to feeding on plents has come with a few side benefits, however, as their more flexible shoulder joints makes traveling on the ground between hosts significantly easier. On their treks between hosts, smirking soriparasites may also come across plents that are relatively similar in size to them, which presents them with an opportunity they could not exploit without their adaptations. When they come across something like a [[Gamergate Gundis|gamergate gundi]] or a [[ |
Their adaptations to feeding on plents has come with a few side benefits, however, as their more flexible shoulder joints makes traveling on the ground between hosts significantly easier. On their treks between hosts, smirking soriparasites may also come across plents that are relatively similar in size to them, which presents them with an opportunity they could not exploit without their adaptations. When they come across something like a [[Gamergate Gundis|gamergate gundi]] or a [[shrubrattus]], they will try to ambush them and then use their flexible forelimbs to restrain the prey item. Once it is subdued, the smirking soriparasite will use their back teeth, but to kill rather than to parasitize. Killing the small plent provides the smirking soriparasite a relatively large meal which can allow them significantly more time to find a host thanks to the huge amount of energy. |
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The smirking soriparasite only has one pair of fully-functioning eyes, though the other two ancestral pairs are still present, just reduced. It can still sense light through these tiny vestigial eyes, but only the largest pair can form images. Its hooked foreclaws and gecko-like feet bearing fuzzy setae allow it to hold onto its host without falling off. Just like its ancestors but unlike most other modern shrews, the smirking soriparasite lacks a pouch; when not nursing, its young may climb on its back to let their siblings have room to nurse instead. It usually mates during the treks it makes between hosts. It is still able to tolerate low temperatures while sucking blood, but it needs to warm up to travel at a decent speed, so it may also be found basking on rocks between hosts. |
The smirking soriparasite only has one pair of fully-functioning eyes, though the other two ancestral pairs are still present, just reduced. It can still sense light through these tiny vestigial eyes, but only the largest pair can form images. Its hooked foreclaws and gecko-like feet bearing fuzzy setae allow it to hold onto its host without falling off. Just like its ancestors but unlike most other modern shrews, the smirking soriparasite lacks a pouch; when not nursing, its young may climb on its back to let their siblings have room to nurse instead. It usually mates during the treks it makes between hosts. It is still able to tolerate low temperatures while sucking blood, but it needs to warm up to travel at a decent speed, so it may also be found basking on rocks between hosts. |
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