Viola

as always, this content is WIP.

The species nicknamed 'Viola'

Species nicknames are, as always, temporary, until a more permanent term can be established. The native terminology is incapable of being meaningfully translated or transliterated. — Ouvvo

Viola are large, semi-aquatic herbivores. They independantly ascended into space habitation, but have been separated from their home system due to monoculture Quarantine. The vast majority of Viola are part of the Desert's Bloom Polity, which, in present time, resides wholly within the Hub, primarily Vertex 17. The current status of home system Viola cultures is unknown.

Morphotypes

Viola fall into three primary morphotypes, based on chromosomal sex. These morphotypes are culturally relevant, though the particulars vary wildly. M-A produce non-motile gametes, and bear live young. M-B produce motile gametes, and notably, are subsapient for their entire lifespans. M-C are genetically identical to M-A, but are sterile. M-B and M-C are almost exclusively born in twinned pairs, and the shared fetal environment is what leads M-C individuals to differentiate from M-A. The population ratio, roughly, is 50% M-A, 25% M-B, 25% M-C. Each morphotype is associated with various phenotypical traits, but there are few clear lines to be drawn. These distinctions, like in many other species with significant parental reproductive cost, have a complex manifestation within Viola cultures. Other phenotypic destinctions exist, but are subtler, though no less important.

A reminder that drawing paralells to your own morphotypes is done at your own risk. While Desert's Bloom has a 90+% compatability rating, mistaken familiarity is the number one way to get yourself in trouble. — Ouvvo

Life Cycle

Gametes merge after mating within the bearing parent. Gestation lasts approximately 12 months.
The young, either a single M-A or a M-B/M-C pair, are born through the genital opening within the mouth of the parent Viola. Baby Viola are subsapient, but precocial, capable of walking within a day of birth, and consume much of the same food that an adult can. This phase lasts approximately 14 years. Sapience develops rapidly toward the end, marked by the aquisition of language, and sexual organs begin to develop.
The 'subadult' phase is generally considered to be the period between sapience and sexual maturity. It can last anywhere from 2-5 years.
Adult Viola live for an average lifespan of around 130 years, though M-B tend to die earlier than the other two morphotypes. Fertility gradually drops off, and is mostly absent towards the 80s for both M-A and M-B.

Evolution Summary

Squidlike creatures descended from tube worm ancestors. Notably, they are part of a clade of organisms distinguished by their coleom, the main body cavity, being split into two - their respiration and propulsion systems separated from their digestive and reproductive systems.
Amphibious air breathers. Very similar to ancient terrstrial amphibians. The prosterior body cavity is used primarily for respiration and vocalizations. All of their anterior appendages - eyestalks, genitals, tongues, etc - are derived from the same type of organ, the oral tentacles of their ancestor.
Terrestrial, herbivorous megafauna. Livebearing evolved early on, as an adaptation for long ice ages. Protective structures around the mouth and genitals develop into a pouch to support the eggs. Over time, eggs adapt to take advantage of this protection and become more like the temporary equivalent of a terrestrial mammalian uterus. The eyestalks are constrained by the increasingly complex structure of the head, and facial appendages are increasingly specialized.
Semiaquatic. The lineage returns to water, primarily freshwater, enviroments, feeding mostly off hardy aquatic plants The size and complexity of social groups combined with harsh environmental pressure for finding habitat and food selects for individuals more capable of processing the large amount of data required to successfully navigate the world.
Perhaps the defining adaptation, the near universal presence of morphotype C in populations, is what lead to the Viola branch in particular outcompeting its relatives. These individuals show up in many species in related clades, but few species maintain a permanent subset of M-C morphotypes in their populations. Large creatures with long gestation and much longer sexual maturation times means that every reproductive individual is critical and requires long term investment. Families with guaranteed caretakers become more successful than those who don't. There are many complex ideas about the evolution of the neuter morphotype, M-C, and their adaptive role - an early form of eusociality, a striking manifestation of sexual antagonism, or something along the lines of kin selection. Regardless of which theory is most accurate, the modern Viola lineage becomes dominant, and this dominance is attributed to the permanent population of M-C individuals.
Though preferred food sources were aquatic, as time went on, the lineage became more amphibious again, capable of foraging much further from water sources and spreading to fill larger niches than any other related clade.
Anatomically Modern Viola tended to stay in tight knit familial groups oriented around a dominant M-B/M-C pair.

Homeworld and System

The Viola homeworld is somewhat bereft of landmass, and what land is there is frequently frozen or desert. The world is locked in a stable ice age, with two enormous ice caps. Oasis-like pockets of warmer areas exist, and much of premodern Viola culture was constrained to these areas. It is believed that monoculture was present on the planet for some time before its appearance, rather than a recent spaceborne infection. Due to Quarantine, the current state of the world is unknown but assumed to be completely monocultured.

Before Quarantine, there were multiple cultures with established footholds in broader Viola home system, including planetary research outposts. Desert's Bloom was not the largest of these, but because of proximity to its proximity to the local Hub port, it became the dominant Viola presence on the Hub. Due to Quarantine, the current state of the system is unknown.

Quarantine is a bit of a sore point. Best to avoid the topic entirely. — Ouvvo

Misc. Notes

Viola blood is a desaturated blue color, relying on hemocyanin for oxygen transport.