Creature:Flytwing

Flytwings are monopod aliens of the family Coelapteridae. All species are capable of gliding and/or flight and live in woodland areas.

Morphology
Being of the class Omocoxae, meaning "shoulder-hip", Flytwings have three limbs, all of which are attached to a hip-like structure near the front of the body. Omocoxaeans were the ancestors of the podurans, including the Thundercrest and the Phoxfirous. Unlike the class Podura, however, omocoxaeans have kept their third rear limb, which the Flytwing in particular uses as a leg. And being incapable of walking or running, the Flytwing can only contend with hopping about on the ground.

The other two limbs of the Flytwing are stiff and hollow, protruding from the side of the creature like wings. Depending on the species, these "wings" can grant the creature various degrees of flight capability. Species with even stiffer wings are only capable of gliding short distances, and are suited for very dense forest areas. Those with more flexible wings can generate sufficient lift to remain in flight for a relatively long time.

A Flytwing's mouth, brain, and heart are located in its pectoral area, encased and protected within the same hip-like structure. Extending from this area is a long neck and small cephalon possessing three visual organs. Rod-like cells in the eyes of some species are sensitive to polarized and infrared light, the former of which the Flytwing is thought to use for orientation while flying. A second brain, smaller than the central brain, is located in the creature's head and is responsible for interpreting visual signals.

The skin of Flytwings is quite dark in general, and camouflaged for their particular environment. Flying species have a pattern of blue chromatophores in their skin, which they can expand and contract when in flight to make themselves nearly invisible to flying predators. In addition, this blue pigmentation reflects much harmful radiation at the great heights Flytwings travel.

Behavior
Flytwings make their nests at the base of giant Atlas trees, whose thick, pillar-like roots support their massive trunks off the ground completely, forming an open cave-like structure below. Forest wildlife flourishes in these root systems, and the Flytwings make full use of the thick Atlas fruits, which fall often from heights of 400 ft or more. Fruit, sundry vegetation, and small prey make up most of the diet of Flytwings.

Flytwings are hermaphroditic and oviparous, and reach sexual maturity at around eight years. They are capable of laying anywhere from three to six eggs in one clutch; these eggs hatch after about five months, and the young are left to fend for themselves from birth. The survival rate of offspring is about three in five during the first year, and one in three during the next two. Adult Flytwings are known to engage in cannibalism, taking young Flytwings when the opportunity presents itself.

In-game description
''The Flytwing makes its home in the tallest trees, gliding between branches with ease on its stiff, hollow wings. Its single foot enables it to hop around awkwardly on the ground, and bright blue marks help camouflage it against the sky during flight.''

Tags: monopod, fly, wing, airborne, aerial, jet, blue

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Unnamed
 * Phylum: Arthroskeleta
 * Subphylum: Tripoda
 * Class: Omocoxae
 * Order: Pararthriformes
 * Family: Coelopteridae (a.k.a. Flytdais, 2008)

List of genera and species

 * Coelopterus
 * C. constelladorsus
 * C. flytii
 * C. volans
 * Macrocarina
 * M. avimimus
 * M. excellens