Xenoechinoderms (phylum Echinodermata Non-Terrestrialis) are a phylum of amphibious animals, the adults of which recognized by their radial symmetry. Much like the echinoderm species native to Earth, the xenoechinoderms of Nemaea are easily recognized by their five-point radial symmetry, though a substantial number of Nemaean echinoderms are recognized for their seven-point radial symmetry. They include such well-recognized species as beach scabs, sand porcupines, surf mines, and sea chestnuts. All xenoechinoderm species native to the Nemaean home-world enjoy the status of protected indigenous life forms. The common, red surf-mine is the most common of such species. The common red surf-mine has twelve eyes: two of them are complex, the other ten are simple; their complex eyes are located at the front of the cephalothorax. The ten simple eyes are scattered symmetrically along the creature’s flanks. As with terrestrial echinoderms, the xenoechinoderms of Nemaea are important creatures for both biological and geological reasons. Biologically, they share a lot in common with their terrestrial echinoderm cousins in that they exist in large numbers in the biotic desert regions of the deep sea, as well as in shallow oceans. Unlike their terrestrial variants, however, large numbers of Nemaean xenoechinoderms have adopted an amphibious mode of life, often colonizing rocky beaches. As with their terrestrial namesakes, xenoechinoderms are important, geologically, as their ossified exoskeleton remains contribute to Nemaean limestone formations and provide valuable views into both prehistoric and modern Nemaean geology and ecology. All xenoechinoderms are motile, despite appearances. Like many “true” echinoderms, xenoechinoderms move on scores of tubular feet that cover most of the ventral surface; the absence of such feet mark the openings of the creature’s mouth and anus. Adult xenoechinoderms exhibit seven-sided symmetry, though their larvae are ciliated, free-swimming organisms that seem to exhibit bilateral symmetry. All xenoechinoderms exhibit either five-fold or seven-fold symmetry, though a few species of surf-mines and sea-chestnuts exhibit symmetry in bases of seven, with one rare, deep sea species boasting 70 arms. Most surf-mines are detritovores: they specialize in extracting organic material from mud and sand, though a few members of the species seem to exhibit predatory behavior, often staking out tide pools and actively hunting pseudo-mollusk and pseudo-crustacean life forms trapped in the shallow pools. Surf-mines (called Маленький охотник, or “little hunters”in Nemaean) enjoy status as symbols of childhood. Pre-adolescents are often encouraged to learn from and become “little hunters,” fully proficient at seeking out and exploiting the hidden parts of life, just as surf-mines exploit tide-pools at low tide. In this way, semi-predatory (opportunistic omnivorous) surf-mines enjoy semi-official status as Nemaean mascots: they are often evoked in the common, rhapsodic declarations of Nemaean spacers, declaring their willingness and abilities to exploit interstellar territories often avoided by non-Nemaean members of the interstellar Human community. * Okay, this is probably the shell of a chestnut or something, and not an amphibious thing shamelessly derived from the sea urchins that so fascinated me as a child. I can’t be sure that the thing I’ve captured with my camera is a chestnut shell—or at least half of one, but when I saw it (as I was walking to the corner store) I simply had to pick it up, take it back to Corey’s and photograph it endlessly. I had no clue that in doing so, that I’d manage to take a brief trip to Nemaea. I like such surprises. As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and—as always—I hope you’re all having a great week.