Miinu Anatomical Breakdown
See Miinu for general information about Miinu.
Miinu are small, humanoid creatures averaging from 3 to 7cm in height. They are half-insect, with traits that resemble a variety of different species of insect, that they refer to as their Bug kin. While they have traits and abilities related to their bug kin, but are in fact their own species.
Contrary to their insect counterparts, Miinu have an internal skeleton much like humans do.
The heart pumps a mustard yellow colored blood throughout the body. Their small size means they absorb oxygen more efficiently, so there is less hemoglobin to give the red color. Instead of most organs being a red or pinkish color, organs appear a yellow or golden color. This also affects the color of their blush, their scars, and even the inside of their mouth.
The hemolymph rich blood will start out a rich gold, but turn grey as it is exposed to hair and becomes unoxygenated. Bruises will also look grey as the blood under the skin breaks down.
Miinu are still endothermic creatures, but their small size makes it more difficult to retain heat. They are sensitive to the cold and it tends to slow them down quickly. Miinu in colder climates are often forced to hibernate in order to survive the winter.
Like any species, mutations and anomalies exist, certain bug kin types will result in drastically different body types. For example some miinu have more centaur-like bodies, like some spiders, mantises. Mantises will often have four legs rather than four arms, along with having a special mechanism in their arms for catching pray. Centipedes and Millipedes will often have naga-like bodies, with their many-legged bodies extending out past their torso and more closely resembling their arthropod counter part. Miinu can even have kins for underwater arthropods like shrimp and lobster, giving them a mermaid-like appearance with a tail and small segmented legs.
Layer 1: Visible Features
1. Antennae
Nearly every miinu has sensitive antennae that emerge from the top of their scalp. These can be any size or shape depending on the bug kin. They can often be covered in hair and blend in with and be part of the hair style of the miinu. The antennae are sensitive organs filled with nerves that can pick up on subtle pheromones and scents around them, and are significantly stronger than their actual nose. They are also how Miinu can greet and identify each other. The sensitivity of these organs can result in pain and headaches if they aren't handled carefully. They can also act as an erogenous zone under the right circumstances.2. Hair
Miinu are capable of growing hair on their bodies like humans do, as well as facial and body hair. Some species may experience more body hair growth than others, such as hairier species like moths or bumblebees, who tend to have fur-like hair growth on their chests, arms, and tails. Miinu hair is made of chitin and are directly connected to small nerves on the skin. This means hair can be sensitive to touch or movement. Thankfully these hairs do not cause pain if cut or shaved, but the Miinu may experience a tingling sensation. The hair color is often determined by bug kin color pallet, but can also be impacted by factors like genetics.3. Eyes
Miinu have specialized eyes that resemble compound eyes, but do not function like compound eyes. Instead the eyes are similar to humans, but larger and protected under a translucent shell that can protect the eyes from dirt, parasites, and UV rays. This shell is sturdy and can even be touched without causing pain. The lens also aid some Miinu in navigating underwater with their eyes open. Genes can also determine what color the shell is. Their eyesight is comparable to humans; the scale makes seeing objects at a distance difficult, but it's made up for in their far wider field of view. Miinu are more sensitive to movement and changes in light.4. Ears
Miinu faces are distinct from humans by their pointed, cone-shaped ears. It’s this unique trait that caused people to mistake them for fairies or elves. The cone-shape aids in amplifying sound, meaning their ears are quite sensitive. They are keen at picking up higher frequencies than humans, while forgoing the perception of lower ones.5. Mandibles
Most miinu have mandibles that are connected to their jaw. They aid in the ripping and tearing of tougher food as well as in some cases, injecting venom into prey. The mandibles' distinct click and chittering has become an important phoneme sound for their language. Those whose bug kin lacks mandibles in real life will often have pseudo-mandibles that are simpler and don't move.6. Primary arms
Miinu have multiple arms, but the Primary arms remain the strongest, largest, and permanent limbs.7. Hands
Miinu’s human-like hands tend to have 3 clawed fingers and a thumb. They with their hands they are able to manipulate tools unlike their insect counterparts. They have small micro hairs that, along with their claws, allow them to stick to vertical surfaces.8. Secondary Arms
These are the second set of arms that Miinu possess to total 6 limbs. These arms are thinner than the primary arms and are capable of collapsing back inside of the body. Some Miinu, such as those of Spiders, can have a similar pair of tertiary arms as well, totaling 8 limbs.9. Joint Segments
Miinu shells are made of a thick, leather-like skin. It’s tougher and stronger than human skin, and in order to maintain flexibility, is segmented into distinct folds around joints. See more about skin.10. Wings
Most miinu possess wings on their backs that allow them flight. These wings are sturdy and flexible, yet are still the most vulnerable parts of their bodies. Wings are usually thin with lots of sensitive nerves and blood vessels inside of them. An injury to the wings can disable a miinu and prevent flight entirely. They are fickle to heal and need to be treated with care to heal properly. Wings will not regrow, even during a molt, so a torn wing will become a permanent injury for the miinu. Most miinu will not get wings until their adulthood, after their metamorphosis or final growing molt.11. Feet
Miinu have bipedal legs with plantigrade feet. The legs are built to take the impact of landing or falling without being damaged, and are the safest place to land to avoid injury. The feet have human-like heels and soles, but only two long, clawed toes, and like the hands, can climb vertical surfaces.12. Abdomen
The back end of the Miinu. It often resembles the Abdomen segment of their bug kin, but contrary to appearances, this is not just a tail, but an extension of the torso with vital organs inside. It can move up and down and side to side like a animal tail. Examples of wing and abdomen combinations.Skin
A miinu's skin is a thick armored hide that gives them more protection. It is a malleable leather-like texture, but is stiff enough that it needs to be segmented in areas like joints for proper movement. This thick skin is resistant to piercing damage like teeth or claws, but also can absorb the impact of falling, keeping them safe if they fall long distances. A downside to their armor is that it doesn't heal well on its own. If an injury occurs that damages the skin, a new layer will grow underneath, pushing the old one off, and requiring the whole segment of old skin to be molt. Molting can take hours on their own, and usually leaves their skin soft and tender before it hardens. Miinu are encouraged to rest after a molt, as walking with soft skin can be painful. Miinu skin, like other parts of their body, can be a wide range of pigments including different patterns and markings, as long as it exists in nature. Skin patterns will often mimic the bug-kin of a miinu, but if they are a hybrid, colors can vary even more.Layer 2: Skeleton
13. Skull
Miinu have a thick human-like skull. Notably larger eye sockets to fit their large eyes. They also have a significantly larger head to body ratio. For some species, their skulls can form a hard, bony horn, like those found on rhinoceros beetles. These horns are incredibly tough and hard to break, and like wings, do not regrow if broken. Hercules, a horn bearing hercules beetle miinu.14. Antennae socket
The antennae connects directly to the brain, so the skull has small openings for this.15. Teeth
Miinu have sharp teeth and fangs for tearing through tough food. The exact layout of the teeth can look different depending on the Miinu's bug kin diet. For example, Miinu who have a diet relying on puncturing and drinking liquids will have shaper fangs for breaking through roots or even skin.16. Spine
A miinu’s spine connects all the way down into the abdomen segment.Layer 3: Internal Organs
17. Brain
Miinu have a complex, human-like brain capable of complex thought and emotion. It is a mystery how complex neurons can function at this size.18. Facial Venom Glands
For individuals who inject venom through bites, venom glands are nested next to where the saliva glands would go.19. Mouth
Miinu have pale yellow tongues. They have a diverse palette due to their diet and will find some flavors enjoyable that humans would not.20. Heart / Blood
21. Lungs
Miinu breathe through lungs like humans, but will often of spiracles on their abdomen segment for extra oxygen to reach the valuable organs inside. Miinu have small noses that really only exist for breathing, and aren't as good at picking up smells as their antennae are.22. Gills
Some Miinu have the ability to breathe underwater using a set of gills near their ribs. Some Miinu only have them in their larval stage and then lose them in adulthood.23. Arm Pockets
Pockets of empty tissue that the secondary arms can collapse into. When arms are collapsed, this is sealed off with a slab of skin.24. Stomach
Miinu have a diverse diet that is not restricted by their bug kin. They are omnivorous and can eat just about anything that is edible. Some Miinue can even process grass and wood fiber, or raw meat.25. Crop
A secondary stomach for storing and processing complex and fibrous food. This is also where bee Miinu create honey.26. Spleen
Functionally identical to a humans.27. Pancreas
Ditto.28. Liver
A smaller liver means that it takes significantly less alcohol to get intoxicated.29. Small Intestines
The small intestines are larger in proportion than a human’s, due to how intense a Miinu’s diet can be.30. Colon
The large intestine travels through the abdomen and waste is removed from the body at an opening at the end.31. Kidneys
The kidneys are lower on the body, located in the abdomen segment.32. Bladder
The kidneys send waste product into the bladder and it is ejected from the body through the same opening as the colon.33. Rear Venom Gland
For stinging Miinu, a large venom gland can be found in the abdomen that connects to the stinger. NSFW Warning!34. Penis
The male reproductive organ which is kept safe inside a pocket known as a genital pouch and only comes out during copulation. The miinu penis it tentacle-like with bristles. Example shown here. (Click at your own risk.)35. Gonads
36. Vagina
The female reproductive organ. Also usually kept hidden inside a fold of skin until copulation.37. Ovary / Oviduct
Female Miinu produce eggs that are processed through this system when fertilized. An unfertilized egg may also be passed at the end of every breeding season. Fertilized eggs only stay in the body for a few days, as the rest of the development happens after the egg is laid.38. Spermatheca
Some Miinu, such as Queen Bees, Ants, and Wasps, can store male sperm long term to use when producing workers.39. Blood Gut
Insects that drink and store blood, like mosquitos, will store it here. The gut can expand over 10 times its size and use the nutrients from the blood to create eggs.40. Ovipositor
The organ used for laying eggs.Anomalies
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