Spinrog

2012

Spinrog

By Group 7 Gana Abraham Carl Mascarenhas Rajas Nadkarni Vanessa Baretto

Spinrogs were discovered in the late 18th century by the Portuguese

colonists in Amazon rainforests. They were mistaken for a variety of flying frogs which were quite common in the eastern colony of Goa. The sly predator was almost forgotten until it was rediscovered two centuries later as the Amazon forests were being cleared for farming. Prof. Lewis Zimmerman of the Star Fleet academy is one of greatest ornithologist who has studied Spinrog.

Characteristics

Spinrog are bipedal amphibians with powerful hips and large circular disk for upper limbs. The disk is used both, defensive and as well as scouting purpose. The disc wing consists of thin translucent membrane of high strength. The skin membrane is supported by four finger bones on the either side of the body. In rested position the disk folds into three parts and kept close to the body. A fully expanded the disk can have a radius of 1-1.5 meters, though disc spans greater than 2 meters have also been observed. On an average the males have larger disc span than females owing to higher body mass. The disk secrets a neurotoxin at the edges when hunting which paralyses the prey while it attacks it.

Figure 1 Spinrog Disc, Top view. Note the development of finger bones for disc support.

Spinrogs have three toes in each foot, with one toe facing the opposite side. The toes have sharp claws which help them to remain steady in the marshy lands. They also serve the purpose of latching unto prey. The body is covered with thin set of light brown feathers. The elliptical head is characterised by two eyes, one on either side of the skull, each which can cover 180 degrees thus providing complete range of visibility. Spinrog’s vision is underdeveloped and is able to process only the lower range of visible spectrum. Thus, limiting the vision to light wavelength below yellow. This is compensated by the IR receptors under its...