Spotted Flowmish

The Spotted Flowmish is a simple animal originating in shallow waters among tide pools.

 Environment Organism Body Features Reasons for Body Features

 Shallow Water

3-15 inches

 

60-70 degrees Fahrenheit

Rocky Coastline

Tidal Pools

 

 

 

 

 Soft, round body of cells. Flexible lining surrounding the body.

Cilia on the top and bottom to aid in movement.

Large eyes.

 

 

 

 

Primitive Spotted Flowmish is flexible in shape due to living in a rocky area and being pushed back and forth with tides against rocks.

Cilia allow for the animal to move about in the pools to find food along the rocks and to maintain position while eating.

The neutral colors allow the animal to blend in to the rocky surroundings.

Large eyes to avoid predators and find food.

Rocksleeper Fish

The Rocksleeper Fish descended from the Flowmish after about 1 million years.

 New Environment Organism Body Feature Reasons for Body Features

 Shallow Water

2-5 feet

55-65 degrees Fahrenheit

Rocky Coastline

Underwater caves, crevices

 

 

 

 

 

 Soft, round body with more durable skin.

Fins on top, bottom and side.

Maneuverable tail.

Large eyes.

 

 

 

 

 Rocksleeper Fish developed a tougher skin due to the constant motion against the rocks.

Fins developed to allow more maneuverability to avoid predators and to prevent being pushed into sharp rocks.

The mouth widened to allow the Rocksleeper to eat larger plants from deeper waters.

Eyes have remained large to avoid predators and find food.

Gumchomp Fish

The Gumchomp Fish descended from the Rocksleeper Fish. This change occurred over several million years until it was fit to survive in deeper waters.

 New Environment Organism Body Feature Reasons for Body Features

 Rocky Sea Floor

10-20 feet

50-60 degrees Fahrenheit

Coastline

 

 

 

 

 

 Round shape, rubbery skin.

Spikes on top of head.

Fin along underside.

Flat, long tail.

Teeth in the mouth.

 

 

The Gumchomp developed a tough skin from the Spotted Flowmish. As it developed the fish ventured out into open waters.

To protect itself from predators the cilia in the dorsal area hardened into spines to be used as a defense mechanism.

The widening of the tail allowed for faster movement through the water.

Spine Worm

The Spine Worm descended from the Flowmish Fish over 10 million years.

 New Environment Organism Body Feature Reasons for Body Features

 Shallow Water

3-10 feet

50-65 degrees Fahrenheit

Coastline

 

 

 

 

 

Elongated body.

Cilia lining the top, bottom, and sides of the worm.

Wide mouth.

 

 

 

 

 The worm developed over time from the Spotted Flowmish as it made permanenent homes inside small holes within the rocks to protect itself against predators.

The cilia grew around the body to act as sensors to avoid hitting the rocks.

The large mouth allows the worm to suck in large amounts of food debris.

Descendent Relationship Diagram

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Page by: Suzanne Abell