Alternate Cambrian Explosion - Rotifers
For a primer text on Rotifers, see here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotifer
Rotifers have taken on many varied forms in this alternate present day. Most kinds existing today have a single eye with multiple pupils, but primitive kinds may have more than one midline eye.
The most primitive modern Rotifers are small aquatic forms, like this:
Related species became ambush predators that sit anchored in one spot for stability:
Related to these forms, are oversized filter feeders that ply the open oceans:
The kinds that arose on land were mainly restricted to the niche of ambush predators, both in the trees -
One specialized group however, became active, hopping pursuit predators:
Some sluggish aquatic forms colonized the land also, and became sessile convergently to their marine relatives:
Generally the Rotifers have had to actively compete with the Priapulids, which dominate many niches on land and in the ocean, their ability to adapt uniquely has allowed them to prosper, however.
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© Timothy Donald Morris 2021
© Timothy Donald Morris 2021
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