Research Specimen

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   <default>Research Specimen</default>
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</image> <label>Age</label> <label>Status</label> <label>Biome</label> <label>Length</label> <label>Coordinates</label> <label>GoTo</label> <label>Debug Spawn</label> </infobox> Research Specimen Theta, also referred to as Large Carnivore Theta was an individual of a large predatory species kept in the main aquarium of the Disease Research Facility for a long period of time for testing purposes. It is implied by a data bank entry that this individual died prior to the Kharaa outbreak, as in a Precursor data entry it is referred to as "Remains" being studied. The individual likely succumbed to Kharaa, to which it showed some level of resistance to. This specimen is distantly related to five species still living on the planet today; the PDA notes shared skeletal traits with the Biter and Sand Shark, by extension this also makes Research Specimen Theta a relative of the Boneshark and Blighter, and a very distant relative of the Rockgrub.

Forearms

The forearms are unique amongst its relatives and seem to have evolved independently as there is very little chance of relation to the Sea Emperor and Sea Dragon group due to major skeletal differences. The structure of the arms also differs greatly between them; whilst the Sea Dragon's - and presumably the Sea Emperor's - arms follow a more familiar structure with a ball and socket joint at the elbow, one upper bone; the humerus and two lower bones; the radius and ulna, Theta's arms are unique, with the humerus' equivalent made from two fused bones of equal size running parallel to each other, and rather than the ball and socket joint seen in the elbow of the Sea Dragon, it has a gliding joint composed of carpal bones. It also has five-digit hands rather than the Sea Dragon's four-digit hands.

The arms appear similar to a whale fin in shape and size, though since the PDA states they were forearms it is likely they were indeed arms with webbed hands on the end rather than fins. Although, the fact that they face backwards rather than forwards would have made them impossible to use as graspers like the Sea Dragon Leviathan.

Eyes

The secondary eyes appear considerably smaller and less developed that those found on the Sand Shark and Biter, in which they are indistinguishable from the front set of eyes in size and appearance. It can also be noted that the Boneshark lacks double eye sockets as well as any indication of their prior existence, meaning that the Boneshark must have diverged sooner than the others. Whilst Theta's lineage appears to have split early in the development of the double eye sockets, retaining a primitive second pair of eyes.

Shell

A solid external shell as well as an internal skeleton is commonplace amongst this group, with the Sand Shark, Boneshark, Theta and presumably the Rockgrub all exhibiting this adaptation, showing a preference for defensive capability over manuverability in all species aside from the Biter and Blighter, which appear to have lost the external shell over time in favour of greater agility.

Data Bank Entry

<tabber> Research Specimen Theta=

The skeletal remains of a vast predator, housed within an artificial habitat.

1. Habitat:
The environment constructed to house the specimen suggests it was kept alive in containment for research purposes for months, or even years. Organic matter indicates the habitat once supported extensive plantlife, though it has since decayed. When the facility collapsed this specimen was either left to die, or killed on the spot.

2. Evolution:
While it shares some skeletal traits with the biter and sand shark, including its distinctive double eye sockets, this fossilized specimen is significantly larger, and features unusual forearms rarely seen in aquatic species. This species has likely gone extinct in the past thousand years, and its evolutionary relatives have evolved almost beyond recognition.

|-| Specimen Research Data=

A catalog of information on the organisms previously contained within the alien facility. A number of entries have been translated.

Small Herbivore Gamma:
This entry seems to reference the common peeper. Shows no immunity to infection - death commonly occurs within 4 days. Shows symptom remission on exposure to Enzyme 42, but symptoms quickly recur. Shows advanced learning behaviors. Shows some capacity to transmit enzymes to other specimens.

Leviathan Embryos:
Adult specimen too large to study in containment. Egg specimens acquired from nesting site. Embryos show no signs of immunity - death commonly occurs within 3 weeks. Small sample of eggs has been retained for continued, high priority research on leviathan hatching mechanisms.

Large Carnivore Theta:
Off-site lab established to study remains. Shows some potential for immunity to infection, but physical remains so far proved insufficient for full reconstruction.

Unidentified Leviathan:
This leviathan species has been assigned designator 'Sea Emperor'. Bone samples from emperor specimens indicate some potential for kharaa immunity. Single specimen captured for study at purpose-built containment facility, constructed in volcanic region at depth 1.4km.

Assessment: While it is unlikely that the emperor specimen is still contained within the facility described, it may be possible to acquire further data there on the aliens' attempts to develop a vaccine.

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