Creature:Latchelet

Latchelets are a group of diverse and widespread quadrupedal aliens belonging to the order Ventripediformes. They are distinguished by their four clawed feet, positioned beneath their bodies like those of certain crustaceans, and a single mouth from which they both take in food and expel waste. Though they resemble arthropods in some aspects, Latchelets more closely occupy the same niches as birds on Earth. The name Latchelet is derived from some species' habit of clinging to objects as they rest.

Morphology
All Latchelets possess four feet on their ventral side, ending in large claws. Some species use these claws to grasp hold of surfaces and objects, as well as to walk. Specimens of the family Heteropodidae, called Snatchelets, have their hind feet modified in such a way that the sole has become flat and suitable for running in a bipedal fashion; the front claws are long and sharp like a mantis. Because they are arthroskeletates, Latchelets do not possess an exoskeleton, but an interior jointed skeleton.

The shape of a Latchelet's body also varies according to species. Specimens of the families Odontopodidae, Macrogastridae, and Dermophilidae have roughly squid-shaped bodies, while orb latchelets of the family Oomorphidae have, as their name suggests, round bodies. The digestive cavity of a Latchelet takes up most of its interior space. They take in food and rid waste from the same orifice. The crab-footed latchelets (Macrogastridae) have a long extension of their stomachs that trails behind them. When they encounter prey or food, they stick this projection to it, then proceed to withdraw the food into their body cavity whole.

Latchelets are unique in that they are one of the few hermaphroditic creatures on their planet, and mating impregnates both partners. The offspring is born ovoviviparously, hatching from eggs within the parent's body.

Behavior
Latchelets have diverse diets that vary among different families. Nearly all are omnivorous to some extent, but the families Heteropodidae and Macrogastridae are specialized to be hunters. Spider-footed and orb latchelets are all scavengers and foragers, taking vegetative matter and carrion where they can find it. Species of the family Dermophilidae follow large animals and consume parasites living on and around the creatures' skin. Most fang-footed latchelets are parasites, clinging to the surface of large creatures to feast on their blood and fluids, though a few subsist on tree sap. Smaller species of Latchelet live in very large colonies numbering in the hundreds, or even thousands. They can be seen roosting in trees, caves, and even large creatures like the Sequoiapod.

In-game description
"Common Latchelet": ''Like some species of bird on Earth, tiny Latchelets can consistently be found trailing around herds of large herbivores. Most consume the parasites that swarm about the animals, but a few species are specialized predators or scavengers.''

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Unnamed
 * Phylum: Arthroskeleta
 * Subphylum: Tetrapoda
 * Class: Unguipeda
 * Order: Ventripediformes (a.k.a. Flytdais, 2008)

List of families

 * Family Arachnopodidae (spider-footed latchelets)
 * Family Dermophilidae (symbiotic latchelets)
 * Family Heteropodidae (snatchelets)
 * Family Macrogastridae (crab-footed latchelets)
 * Family Odontopodidae (fang-footed latchelets)
 * Family Oomorphidae (orb latchelets)

Gallery
The above is a gallery of Latchelets showing the order's biodiversity. From left to right, top row: Dermophilidae, Macrogastridae, Oomorphidae. Bottom row: Heteropodidae, Odontopodidae, Arachnopodidae.