Riardi Genetic Codex- Tails

Tails As Secondary Digestive Systems

Riardi tail-head skulls house the glandular complex responsible for the sap, wax, or venom production in their tails, along with the digestive tract which is highly-specialized and linked to their primary digestive systems via a channel running the length of their tail which terminates in their secondary stomach. This system is a metabolic feedback loop in which byproducts are directed from the tail-head to the secondary stomach, where foodstuffs are refined, recycled, and metabolized for supplemental energy- essential for maintaining the high-caloric cost of producing the substances which grow on their tails.

Tail trauma restricts the feedback loop to the secondary stomach. This leads to secretion buildup, metabolic stress, and reduced nutritional intake, particularly in lineages requiring constant processing of complex compounds like nurax or sap.

Genetic Expression of Tail Substances

The following chart dictates riardi's tail-head glands' substances. Genotype displays the inehrited lineage alleles- the genetic blueprint for both parents, which determines the physical traits of the tail-head glands. Venom/Substance A specifies the primary chemical or magical output produced by the first glandular set within the tail-head's skull, while Venom/Substance B specifies the secondary chemical or magical output produced by the second glandular set. In homozygous lineages, these are noted as identical (ex: NEX/NEX for Nexus riardi). In heterozygous, hybrid lineages, this dictates the dual-natured output of the tail-head. Sap Status indicates the presence or absence of sap production; only the Southern (SOU/SOU) lineage contains the genetic instructions for sap, and this column is a critical indicator of nutritional and metabolic capabilities. This layout allows you to quickly identify how a specific riardi's genetics will translate into their physical, defensive, and metabolic needs.

Vestigial & Defensive Traits

Vestigial Spikes: Keratinous outgrowths at the base of the spine. Used as jabbers. Opal lineage express these with 80% expression probability, while Ore riardi have immunity and cannot manifest them.

**Hock spikes- H-Locus Genetic Definition

The H-Locus follows standard Mendelian dominance. Riardi may have them to one extent or another, or not at all.