Mbu: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox|image=mbu.png|image_alt=|image_caption=Fullbody sketch of a mbu. {{metainf|Art by [[User:Maxisnt|Camille]].}}|status=LC|status_system=iucn3.1|domain=TBD|regnum=Enyazoa|phylum=Dolichoformes|classis=Firmata|ordo=Dolichops|familia=Mbida|genus=''[[Mbu]]''|species='''''M. firmatus'''''|binomial=''Mbu firmatus''|synonyms=|range_map=|range_map_caption=}} | {{Taxobox|image=mbu.png|image_alt=|image_caption=Fullbody sketch of a mbu. {{metainf|Art by [[User:Maxisnt|Camille]].}}|status=LC|status_system=iucn3.1|domain=TBD|regnum=Enyazoa|phylum=Dolichoformes|classis=Firmata|ordo=Dolichops|familia=Mbida|genus=''[[Mbu]]''|species='''''M. firmatus'''''|binomial=''Mbu firmatus''|synonyms=|range_map=|range_map_caption=}} | ||
'''Mbu''' (singular and plural; '''''Mbu firmatus''''') are the native sophonts of [[Enya]], the third planet and only life harbourer of star [[ | '''Mbu''' (singular and plural; '''''Mbu firmatus''''') are the native sophonts of [[Enya]], the third planet and only life harbourer of star [[Boadicea]]. They are semi-aquatic, mollusc-like benthic beings that live the majority of their life underwater. While they can breathe on land to some extent, they must maintain their gills (located on their rear end) moist so as to prevent desiccation and asphyxiation. They are one of the shortest sophonts by far, only reaching about 46 cm on all fours on average. | ||
== Names == | == Names == | ||
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=== Gills === | === Gills === | ||
The gills of | The gills of a mbu are located on their derriere, taking the form of a flower-like puff of leaf-shaped organs, giving them an appearance akin to rabbit tails. | ||
== Biology == | == Biology == | ||
Latest revision as of 20:26, 3 February 2026
| Mbu | |
|---|---|
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| Fullbody sketch of a mbu. Art by Camille. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | TBD
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| Kingdom: | Enyazoa
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| Phylum: | Dolichoformes
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| Class: | Firmata
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| Order: | Dolichops
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| Family: | Mbida
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. firmatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Mbu firmatus | |
Mbu (singular and plural; Mbu firmatus) are the native sophonts of Enya, the third planet and only life harbourer of star Boadicea. They are semi-aquatic, mollusc-like benthic beings that live the majority of their life underwater. While they can breathe on land to some extent, they must maintain their gills (located on their rear end) moist so as to prevent desiccation and asphyxiation. They are one of the shortest sophonts by far, only reaching about 46 cm on all fours on average.
Names
The name mbu is derived from the Julean Emere language, where mbú is the name of a snail-like being.
Appearance
Mbu present little to no sexual dimorphism, so these descriptions apply to most individuals.
Body
The body of a mbu is soft and wet, and may present various colours, including blues, pinks, reds, yellows and purples. Their exoskeletons, meanwhile, are keratinous and hard, and covered in diverse patterns including spots, stripes and rosettes, among others, presenting similar colouration to the skin, usually more saturated.
Head
A mbu's head is simple: one mouth, two eyestalks with deceptively simple-looking eyes on either side of the mouth, and two actually simple eyes on the forehead. The inner mouth of a mbu is equipped with two radulae on either side of the oral cavity, which, apart from being used for food consumption, may also stridulate.
Limbs
Mbu are equipped with four retractable tentacles which may be used to manipulate their environment. Their four legs, actually highly specialised tentacles themselves, are thick and sturdy, held up by both hydraulic muscle inside and exoskeleton outside. They present four "toes" on each foot, which are actually keratinous protrusions for better stability on land.
Gills
The gills of a mbu are located on their derriere, taking the form of a flower-like puff of leaf-shaped organs, giving them an appearance akin to rabbit tails.
Biology
Blood and respiration
Mbu are equipped with two hearts, located on their lower abdomen, which pump nickel-based blood, giving it a vivid green colour when oxygenated.
Diet
Mbu mostly eat keratin-rich invertebrates, along with algae and other benthic plantlife.
Reproduction and ageing
Mbu present sequential hermaphroditism, and their gonads alternate between a dormant and active state depending on the season. Outside mating season, mbu have no sex drive or capability of experiencing sexual or romantic attraction. During mating season, depending on hormonal and pheromonal signals surrounding them, either set of gonads will activate, rendering them either male or female. The female produces eggs that remain at the very end of a spiral-shaped invagination within the body, the ootic chamber, until fertilised by a male. The male has a spiralling, gelatinous penis specifically shaped to wind inside the female's ootic chamber. Once fertilised, the female releases their eggs, usually at home, and keeps them in a dark chamber to grow.
Mbu larvae emerge from their eggs after ~150 Enyan days. During this life stage, they are completely defenceless, soft-bodied, and tiny (~6 cm). After about a year of growth, they enter their infant stage, where their soft first exoskeleton grows. Their first molt comes after their second Enyan year of life, and subsequent molts happen anually from then on. Mbu are considered infants from their 1st year to 1,5, children from 1,5 to 3, sub-adults from 3 to 4, adults from 4 to 8, and elderly onwards. The average life expectancy of a mbu is about 15 Enyan years (~36,4 Earth years).