Evolution

  The Nioqim evolved from large oceanic leviathans that existed in the last Ice Age. The legs were flipper-like with claws for climbing out of the water to come ashore or pursue amphibious prey, sliding on their bellies. What would later become the raptorial manipulator limbs may have been used for hunting, mating, or carrying young. The cranial integument of the modern Nioqim came from the long strands of sensory feelers, similar to modern Fishers, that would drag behind them as they swam, sensing for the minute movements of prey—not unlike the hunting behavior of the Nioqim's closest cousins. The pair of antennae may have been able to detect long-distance infrasonic in addition to the magnetoreception commonly used by most members of their clade.

Anatomy

  The Nioqim have a hexapodal bauplan, with four legs used for locomotion, and the middle pair of limbs used to carry and manipulate objects. Most Nioqim are capable of walking both bipedally and quadrupedally, though in general faster movement requires all fours. On the forelegs, the third toe is kinked backwards and elongated to support a wing. Nioqim possess a pair of antennae atop their heads, with males sporting at least one pair of 'false antennae' as well. These antennae allow them to sense the planet's magnetic field thanks to the properties of their blood, with Draquens and Fishers having the greatest natural navigational abilities, fitting their historically nomadic lifestyles. The antennae also play a role in expression, though for those with less maneuverable antennae, such as the Sabers and the Fishers, these do not have the same level of importance in emotional display.

  Skeleton

      Nioqim are members of the Coelochordata clade—known as the coelochordates—for the hollow bone structure called the coelochord. The coelochord consists of segments of tri-magnesium phosphate wrapped around an empty space in which the organs reside. Nerves and blood vessels originate from within the coelochord and branch out from openings between the thoracic segments. The coelochord is quite flexible despite its mineralization, with the interior matrix resembling the structure of metal foam. Avian species have larger pores in the matrix to reduce density as opposed to their terrestrial counterparts.

  Respiration

      Nioqim possess a unidirectional airway, with air being taken in via the anterior opercula or intake stomata, and being expelled through the posterior opercula or outtake stomata. The respiratory tract within consists four points of closure including the opercular seal, all of which can be manipulated to produce sound through the posterior opercula. More on Nioqim phonetics and vocal tract structure can be found here.

      Yellow blood carries the oxygen throughout the circulatory system, using an iridium-based pigment. When oxygenated, the blood turns from yellow to orange and becomes prone to decay under strong light, changing from orange to green then eventually black, as well as losing its ability to reversibly bind oxygen. Burns, scabs, and dried blood eventually turn black over a few weeks. This same decay also necessitates the body to periodically excrete the decayed compound, staining excrement bluish-black.

  Neural-sensory

      The nervous system of Nioqim consists of a partially decentralized network based around small hubs of neural ganglia. Though they do have a cranial brain, it focuses primarily on sensory processing and immediate reactions, with 'deeper consciousness' spread throughout the ganglia and long-term memory centered within the coelochord. The nature of these ganglia allows each limb to move somewhat independent of conscious thought. If a limb is severed, it will continue to spasm until drained of energy. Physical sensation is more acute on the ventral half, closer to the neural stem within the coelochord.

      Nioqim have large eyes with binocular vision and a good degree of peripheral range as well. Their pupils have two main pinholes that when expanded form an hourglass shape. A nictitating membrane, or 'third eyelid', can be extended to protect the eye from irritants. Vision varies across species, each with characteristic deficiencies. In general, Draquens and Sabers can see the farthest, Boreals have the best low-light vision, and Fishers are both able to distinguish between the most colors and have good low-light vision, but often suffer nearsightedness.

      The true ears are tympanic membranes below the antennae with no external ear pinna. The vestigial antennae may still retain some ability to detect low frequency vibrations.

  Digestion

      Nioqim have a lipped mouth and lack true teeth, instead having a beak-like hard palate. They can siphon. The inner walls of the mouth and cheek are lined with chemosensory receptors or 'tastebuds.' At the back of the mouth are a pair of pharyngeal jaws that nip and tear at food held in the mouth. The pharyngeal jaws are directly connected to an esophagus lined with 'teeth' to grind food and force it down. An expandable crop at the base of the esophagus may contain gastroliths that help to further grind food, but in general Nioqim will only swallow a bit at a time as they are incapable of chewing.