Reefback Leviathan

Template:Class 2 Fauna The Reefback is a passive, leviathan class fauna species. It is the second largest passive life form, and the fourth largest life form in the game, behind the Sea Emperor Leviathan, Sea Dragon Leviathan and Ghost Leviathan.

Appearance

The Reefback is massive in size, with most of the creature's body being comprised of a thick, dark-blue carapace with a rounded, triangular front, and a relatively small body concentrated in the posterior. Attached to its main body are three long whip-like tentacles.

An adult Reefback has patches of teal-colored coral and brown-colored grass growing across its carapace, befitting its name. The carapace has a slightly bright blue dotted pattern across towards the back. Beneath its carapace, it is dark green with light blue bioluminescent stripes on the sides and in the middle. On either side of its body are eight yellow bioluminescent bulbs. The purpose of these is unknown, though the data bank entry notes a visual similarity to the Gasopod algae gland. They could also be very underdeveloped eyes, which might suggest the Reefback has some other means of "seeing" its surroundings. Two siphon-esque structures that constantly expand and retract as the creature moves are located next to these bulbs.

Behavior

The Reefback drifts slowly and gently around the open waters of many biomes, mostly seen swimming in pods of more than two. It almost never adjusts its current altitude, unless bumped against obstacles.

Juvenile Reefbacks are a quarter the size of an adult. They can often be found with adults in certain locations.

The Reefback will frequently emit a range of echoing, low-frequency calls. They will only emit these calls if there are other Reefbacks nearby. This suggests that these calls are a form of communication, as opposed to echolocation.

When Reefbacks are exposed to damage, their tentacles will wave quickly and they will move slightly faster for a brief period.

Mini-ecosystem

Adult Reefbacks can support mini-ecosystems on their back. These ecosystems include many types of flora and coral, along with other small fauna swimming in the vicinity of the gentle giants. Some caution should be taken when approaching Reefbacks, as Tiger Plants often make their homes on their backs.

<tabber> Fauna=

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Barnacles

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Energy Value

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Data Bank Entry

This vast lifeform is in excess of 30m long and has been designated leviathan class. Fortunately it feeds exclusively on plankton-like lifeforms in the water.

Chitinous Shell:
Most of the lifeform's topside and some of its underside is protected by a thick, layered exoskeleton. This suggests an evolutionary path quite different from other organisms on 4546B, most of which are vertebrate in nature. The reefback species has likely been able to grow far larger than other herbivores because anything large enough to break through its shell has long since gone extinct.
Enzyme Pods:
Similar in appearance to the algae glands of the gasopod, these organs on the reefback's underside serve some unknown purpose in its digestive system, and are capable of expelling small quantities of stomach enzymes into the surrounding waters.
Local Microcosm:
An array of different barnacle and plant species grow on the reefback's shell, thrusting their roots into ancient scars in the chitin, and taking advantage of their mobility to avoid predation. Nonetheless reefbacks will often be pursued by the faster, hungrier herbivores, and thus this leviathan species is a mobile microcosm worthy of years of study in itself.
Lifecycle:
Reefbacks's lifespans likely extend through many centuries, should they survive their initial growth cycle. For the first few decades their smaller size would make them vulnerable to carnivorous leviathans. Sociable, seen traveling in small pods and communicating by an echoing call, behavior is consistent with low-level sentience.

Assessment: Harbors plants, small fish and metal-rich barnacles

Gallery

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Side Profile
Front view
Dorsal view
Lower extremities
Bioluminescence
Size comparison between an adult Reefback and the Player
Size comparison with a Reaper Leviathan
A size comparison between a juvenile Reefback and the player
A Reefback above the Blood Kelp Zone
A single Reefback in the Dunes
An adult and juvenile Reefback in the Grassy Plateaus
Two adult Reefbacks in the Bulb Zone
A Reefback, close enough to the surface for the player to "ride". (see trivia.)

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Concept Art

</tabber> For a more complete gallery, see Reefback/Gallery

History

Reefbacks were initially intended to submerge themselves in sandy areas. Increased activity about them would have made them rise in search for a peaceful place to rest.^[1] It is unknown if this will be implemented.
Another intended interaction would've been that the player could grab a hold of a Reefback's tentacles to hitch a ride or hide on their plant-covered backs to hide from predators.^[2] It is unknown if this will be implemented.
Reefbacks used to be much smaller than they currently are, and had the same texture that is currently given to juvenile Reefbacks.

Trivia

Schools of Bladderfish can only be found near Reefbacks.
Reefbacks are capable of transporting the player when near the surface.
Juveniles can be found infected with the Kharaa, whereas the adults can not
It is believed that when the horn of the Cyclops is honked Reefbacks will respond.

References

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[1] ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit#

[2] ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1kd4YTHJz2K4ERdGRfJB-8M7_32Q23clIBRqEMrLmysk/edit

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