Quadrate

Quadrate (tentatively Salpapod tetragnatha). A carnivorous relative or morph of the common geordie.

1. Geordie similarities Shares the geordie's body plan, but trades the geordie's rasping jaw for four piercing teeth.

2. Carnivorous diet The quadrate burrows into living flesh to feed on blood and serous fluid. It is difficult to remove without injuring the host. Consider applying light or heat to trick the quadrate into voluntarily detaching.

3. Vampiric enzyme Anticoagulant prevents the prey's blood from clotting—similar to the draculin enzyme expressed by Earth's iconic vampire bats. This enzyme is identical to one found in the water slug. Perhaps transferred by a retrovirus.

4. Quadrate overcount The quadrate burden on local life is high, suggesting the depopulation or extinction of species that once regulated quadrate populations. Alternately, geordies may be starving and morphing into quadrates to seek new food supplies.

Assessment: may cause serious or even fatal dehydration if it remains attached. Remove by safest available method. Consider cleaning quadrates off organisms you encounter to check for social responses.