Duncecap Helmetstar

The duncecap helmetstar split from its ancestor and has taken a divergent path from its evolutionary cousin, the quataetar. Because it was unable to compete with the quataetar for the mats that cover the seafloor, the duncecap helmetstar has switched to consuming the symbiomats' evolutionary cousins: the interwebs. This, along with its ancestor's inefficient method of locomotion resulted in changes to the duncecap helmetstar's anatomy and behavior.

The Duncecap Helmetstar's name is derived from its conical shell. This shell contained more space than its ancestor. The majority of this extra space has become empty, and is used as a ballast. Four openings at the top of the duncecap helmetstar's shell allow the organism to expel the gasses that accumulate in its air sacs, which are filled with waste gasses from the cardiovascular system via siphuncle-like vessels that lead into the sacs. The Duncecap Helmetstar has four air sacs. These air sacs allow the duncecap helmetstar to control its buoyancy, giving it the ability to float and sink at will. This allows it to reach the araneum mats that were previously out of its reach. In order to better navigate its surroundings, the duncecap helmetstar has developed two curved claws at the end of its tentacles. These claws allow it to better anchor it to the seafloor while walking about in search of wormwebs. These claws also help the duncecap helmetstar grab onto other organisms in their search for more araneus mats. The duncecap helmetstar's mouths now secrete an emulsifier that dilutes the araneum mats' sticky chemicals, making them easier to consume. While the duncecap helmetstar is usually found 'crawling' along the seafloor, it can rarely be spotted floating near the surface preying on subwebs as well. Duncecap helmetstars rarely are found in the water column due to their inability to move while floating. This leaves them vulnerable to predators while drifting about in the water column.

The larvae of the duncecap helmetstar are significantly different from those of its ancestor. While they still look very similar to their mature counterparts, the larvae's behavior is far more different. The larvae will often be found ripping chunks off of symbiomats instead of araneum mats. This is due to the larvae's small size. If a larva were to come into contact with a wormweb or subweb, it would be trapped and consumed. Once the duncecap helmetstar grows larger than two millimeters in length, it will begin feeding on wormwebs. Only the largest duncecap helmetstars can feed on subwebs, as smaller specimens are easily trapped by their sticky chemicals.