Great Jaw
Great jaw (tentatively *Megamya sudacna*, great clam that bites you). An enormous omnivorous clam with a a dangerous defensive/feeding strategy.
Overview
Great jaw (tentatively *Megamya sudacna*, great clam that bites you). An enormous omnivorous clam with a a dangerous defensive/feeding strategy.
Gameplay attributes
PDA Analysis
1. Clam
Like Earthly bivalves, the great jaw's body consists of two minerals shells connected by powerful adductor muscles. The clam's main body, including its digestive organs, heart, and gills, rests inside the shells.
2. Mantle
The mantle (the same body part that forms the outer skin of a squid) secretes a matrix of bioplastics on which the hard calcium carbonate shell grows. The enormous size of the adult great jaw's shell may take decades or centuries to achieve. The interior of the mantle is lined with motion-sensitive eyes.
3. Closure reflex
When the tendons of the adductor muscles are disturbed, the shells close, trapping prey inside. The jaw then secrets domoic acid neurotoxin. Projected symptoms: nerve damage, short term memory loss, death.
4. Mixed feeding strategy
The great jaw's interior is lined with tiny coral polyps, which feed on sunlight with photosynthetic bacteria. The majority of the great jaw's food probably comes from photosynthesis.
5. Lithium pearls
The great jaw bioaccumulates lithium during its growth. Nodules are expelled by the clam's body to prevent nerve interference. Recommend retrieval.
6. Youth
The scanned index specimen is relatively young. No upper size limit can be established.
Assessment
Related Creatures
More entries from the same ecological slice.
Acid Raion
A colony of worms living inside a shared membrane, probably a sponge. Uses weak acid to digest prey.
Aeroshell Sponge
A glowing sponge (tentatively *Symphon aeroshell*) that resembles the cone of a heat shield on atmospheric entry.
Amphora Sponge
A sponge adapted to colonize — and create — air pockets.