Waterfowl: A Study
Mahan's Ocean Swallow
Nerocinetica Mifflini
This lesser-known example of the family of semiaquatic migrants has become the subject of much study in recent years after Foerster and Itchen's expedition of 2749 discovered a wing of Mahan's at depths of over three miles. Specimens were recovered, but attempts at dissection have not been able to discern how they were able to survive at such depths. Other than this anomaly, Mahan's is typical of its kind, possessing a wingspan of 3.58 metres and measuring one metre from beak to tail. The overall shape, in an interesting example of parallel evolution, is one instantly recognisable to any Terran as that of the Swallow, from which it takes its name.
Close examination has revealed, however, that the lattice of “feathers” that covers most of the torso, head and wings is composed of overlapping layers of watertight cartilage, each of which can be manipulated individually to provide astounding directional control, as well as the ability to go from a full stop to the Swallow's top speed of 75-85 mph in a matter of seconds. While submerged, the wings are partially retracted, but are still used to adjust speed and manoeuvre. In flight, they are extended, and act as avian wings, giving it equal control above and below the surface of the water. As well as acting as stabilisers and control surfaces, studies on captured specimens have uncovered minuscule channels passing across the wing into the torso, which may act as rudimentary gills, straining oxygen from the ocean to aid the respiratory system.
It is unknown what caused such an obviously avian creature to adopt an amphibian lifestyle, but recent excavations on the few islands on the planet's surface have uncovered evidence of storms that would have covered much of the planet's surface and made flight impossible. This may have lead to the development of the Ocean Swallows, but no theories have emerged as to how the transition occurred.
Attempts at dissection have thusfar been unsuccessful, but from observation of live specimens, much has been ascertained about the Swallows' internal organs. Notably, both respiratory and digestive systems approach levels of efficiency as yet unseen in any other species. It has been theorised that Swallows are able to compress the oxygen in their lungs and thus last for up to a week underwater. In addition, the creatures' digestive system has been found to contain exceptionally potent acids, allowing it to sweep through clouds of micro-organisms, molluscs and insects, both sub-aquatic and airborne, and convert them to nutrients in minutes. If and how the Swallows reproduce has as yet not been discovered
Nerocinetica Mifflini
This lesser-known example of the family of semiaquatic migrants has become the subject of much study in recent years after Foerster and Itchen's expedition of 2749 discovered a wing of Mahan's at depths of over three miles. Specimens were recovered, but attempts at dissection have not been able to discern how they were able to survive at such depths. Other than this anomaly, Mahan's is typical of its kind, possessing a wingspan of 3.58 metres and measuring one metre from beak to tail. The overall shape, in an interesting example of parallel evolution, is one instantly recognisable to any Terran as that of the Swallow, from which it takes its name.
Close examination has revealed, however, that the lattice of “feathers” that covers most of the torso, head and wings is composed of overlapping layers of watertight cartilage, each of which can be manipulated individually to provide astounding directional control, as well as the ability to go from a full stop to the Swallow's top speed of 75-85 mph in a matter of seconds. While submerged, the wings are partially retracted, but are still used to adjust speed and manoeuvre. In flight, they are extended, and act as avian wings, giving it equal control above and below the surface of the water. As well as acting as stabilisers and control surfaces, studies on captured specimens have uncovered minuscule channels passing across the wing into the torso, which may act as rudimentary gills, straining oxygen from the ocean to aid the respiratory system.
It is unknown what caused such an obviously avian creature to adopt an amphibian lifestyle, but recent excavations on the few islands on the planet's surface have uncovered evidence of storms that would have covered much of the planet's surface and made flight impossible. This may have lead to the development of the Ocean Swallows, but no theories have emerged as to how the transition occurred.
Attempts at dissection have thusfar been unsuccessful, but from observation of live specimens, much has been ascertained about the Swallows' internal organs. Notably, both respiratory and digestive systems approach levels of efficiency as yet unseen in any other species. It has been theorised that Swallows are able to compress the oxygen in their lungs and thus last for up to a week underwater. In addition, the creatures' digestive system has been found to contain exceptionally potent acids, allowing it to sweep through clouds of micro-organisms, molluscs and insects, both sub-aquatic and airborne, and convert them to nutrients in minutes. If and how the Swallows reproduce has as yet not been discovered