Cloistaclam
Taxonomy
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Ancestors and Descendants
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Creator: Bufforpington
Ancestor: False Clam
Habitat: North Datura Temperate Coast
Size: 7 cm Long
Diet: Filter-Feeder, Detritivore
Reproduction: Sexual, Gametes released into the water
The Cloistaclam split from its ancestor and resides in the shallows and tide pools of North Datura Temperate Coast. Like the Waveberry, the Cloistaclam lives closer to the land instead of further away. It has adapted so it can withstand being out of water for extended periods of time. First, it has developed two short muscular appendages that are attached to the shells. These appendages will retract when the tide goes out, causing the shell to close firmly, sealing the water, and the organism within it. Because its proboscis is too long to fit in the shell, it too is retractable and will retract into the shell while it is closing. Because said water goes stagnant relatively quickly, the Cloistaclam has developed gills that allow for greater oxygen uptake, and myoglobin-rich muscles to store said oxygen. When the tide goes out, and the water in its shell goes stagnant, it will use the oxygen stored in its muscle to continue surviving. Cloistaclams have few predators, as not even the Psittacrush can commonly be found in North Datura Temperate Coast's shallows and tide pools. The Cloistaclam has developed four stubby electrosensory tentacles that allow it to detect predators when it is in a position that would prevent it from seeing approaching predators. When threatened, it will try to swim away clumsily by clapping together its shells. Fortunately, the Psittacrush's range only overlaps with the Cloistaclam's in the shallows. Thus, the inhabitants of the shallows can make use of the stored oxygen to help provide their muscles with oxygen to escape predators without being endangered by the lowering tides.