Muricidae
They don't belong to the family of the Syreni, instead are semi-sentient and belong to the Phylum Mollusca. They aren't a threat to inhabitants of Blacksite ⧣2369 directly but they feed on Black Corals by mimicing the polyps that the Black coral feeds on, get sucked into the Black Coral and once there, they start eating the Coral from the inside out. This impacts Syreni greatly because the Black Corals are their habitat and their one defense against other predators who lay in wait outside.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Muricid shells are variably shaped, generally with a raised spire and strong sculpture with spiral ridges and often axial varices (typically three or more varices on each whorl), also frequently bearing spines, tubercles, or blade-like processes.
Growth Rate & Stages
Many muricids have episodic growth, which means their shells grow in spurts, remaining the same size for a while (during which time the varix develops) before rapidly growing to the next size stage.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Most species of muricids are carnivorous, active predators that feed on other gastropods, bivalves, and barnacles. The access to the soft parts of the prey is typically obtained by boring a hole through the shell by means of a softening secretion and the scraping action of the radula.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Their shells are used for decoration and an expensive, vivid, stable dye known as Tyrian purple, imperial purple, or royal purple can be extracted from them.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Can be found where their prey has their habitat. They are nearly extinct in the City of Aogua but are very prominent outside of it on the Blacksites
Average Intelligence
semi-sentient
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Can mimic polyps
Conservation Status
This species is actively hunted by some Syreni to extract an expensive, vivid, stable dye known as Tyrian purple, imperial purple, or royal purple. Their shells are also considered beautiful and used in interior design.
Average Height
their lenght can vary between mere centimetres up to 5 metres.
Geographic Distribution
Comments