A blue and purple crystalline alien creature with multiple legs and a hooked claw rests on a rocky, dark ocean floor.

years. ## Current Species Profile: Necryophyte (working name) --- ### General Overview The Necryophyte is a bilaterally symmetrical benthic organism inhabiting a rocky and sediment-covered ocean floor on an alien world. Roughly 20 cm in length, it exhibits a unique biology based on crystalline-neural tissues and mineralised structures, a product of its alien biochemistry. It is the product of a singular evolutionary lineage progressing over roughly 410 million years. --- ### Morphology **Body Plan:** * Entirely bilaterally symmetrical externally and internally, a departure from its original septaradial ancestors. * The body is elongated with a slightly elevated anterior end, adopting a semi-upright posture about 30 degrees above the substrate. * Covered in a tough, mineralised integument interspersed with softer, flexible connective tissues. * Central dorsal muscular ridge provides structural support and aids in maintaining posture. **Limbs:** * six limbs arranged bilaterally in pairs plus one dominant anterior limb (total seven limbs). * Each limb is segmented with flexible joints and mineralised hooks at the tips for anchorage and climbing. * The dominant limb’s tip is specialised: a large curved central mineralised hook flanked by two flexible, slightly flattened pre-digits (pads) with micro-ridged surfaces for frictional grip. * Limbs are capable of subtle flexion and extension through a contractile, non-muscular system based on alternate cellular structures that mimic See more