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Description
The next speculative evolution creature from my project being highlighted in the Nuck, a descendant of the Matamata Turtle that fills the niche of crocodilians.

On Gorgaias, no crocodilians and few reptiles in general were introduced. The Matamata may have been the only aquatic reptile seeded onto this world, leaving the ectothermic aquatic ambush predator niche ripe and ready for the taking. In a relatively short time since the seeding happened, the Matamata diverged into many forms, most of which resembled less "ugly" turtles. While many on these lineages ultimately remained conservative in their form, one group changed quite a bit more than the others, and this was the line that includes the Nuck. Interestingly, this lineage came about from an ancestor that most closely resembled the original Matamata in morphology and ecology.

Nuck look very much like crocodilians, an example of convergent evolution. Indeed, the crocodilian body plan is a perfect one for the niche of aquatic ambush predator; they have changed little over the millions of years on Earth, and other unrelated animal groups (temnospondyl amphibians, phytosaurs and even early whales) have evolved the same basic form. Nuck are large freshwater predators that can reach over 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh over 400 kg (900 lbs). It has a shell, but the plating has become thinner and no appendages can be retracted. The plastron is practically gone and covered in smooth skin like in a softshell turtle. The remnant shell grants protection in the same vain as a crocodiles scutes and also help camouflage the Nuck, as it resembles a rock or log (this is aided by the fact that the shell often has algae on it). The neck has thickened and massive amounts of fast-twitch muscles attach around the neck and throat, granting it a massive bite force. The triangular-shaped flaps on the ancestral Matamatas head act as a perfect anchor for those muscle attachments. Unlike crocodiles, the Nuck does not have actual teeth, however the bones around its jaws have grown notches and points which have the same effect as crocodile teeth, gripping and piercing the flesh of their prey. The tail has grown in length and is used for propulsion and bursts of speed/power; the tail seems to have less muscle compared to a crocodilians, but the hind legs are proportionately longer which may make up for that fact in regards to swimming efficiency. As with crocodilians, the Nuck mostly eats fish and aquatic animals, but it can catch terrestrial prey that comes to the water banks to drink or wade. Like crocodilians, the Nuck remains mostly submerged while stalking its land quarry, its high-set eyes and nostrils subtly poking out of the water so it can see its surroundings and breathe as it patiently waits for the right moment to strike.

Hope you enjoy this one! Have a few more ideas cooking, might post an one more picture for the week tomorrow. Either way, I will continue my posts next week.

Description
The next speculative evolution creature from my project being highlighted in the Nuck, a descendant of the Matamata Turtle that fills the niche of crocodilians.

On Gorgaias, no crocodilians and few reptiles in general were introduced. The Matamata may have been the only aquatic reptile seeded onto this world, leaving the ectothermic aquatic ambush predator niche ripe and ready for the taking. In a relatively short time since the seeding happened, the Matamata diverged into many forms, most of which resembled less "ugly" turtles. While many on these lineages ultimately remained conservative in their form, one group changed quite a bit more than the others, and this was the line that includes the Nuck. Interestingly, this lineage came about from an ancestor that most closely resembled the original Matamata in morphology and ecology.

Nuck look very much like crocodilians, an example of convergent evolution. Indeed, the crocodilian body plan is a perfect one for the niche of aquatic ambush predator; they have changed little over the millions of years on Earth, and other unrelated animal groups (temnospondyl amphibians, phytosaurs and even early whales) have evolved the same basic form. Nuck are large freshwater predators that can reach over 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh over 400 kg (900 lbs). It has a shell, but the plating has become thinner and no appendages can be retracted. The plastron is practically gone and covered in smooth skin like in a softshell turtle. The remnant shell grants protection in the same vain as a crocodiles scutes and also help camouflage the Nuck, as it resembles a rock or log (this is aided by the fact that the shell often has algae on it). The neck has thickened and massive amounts of fast-twitch muscles attach around the neck and throat, granting it a massive bite force. The triangular-shaped flaps on the ancestral Matamatas head act as a perfect anchor for those muscle attachments. Unlike crocodiles, the Nuck does not have actual teeth, however the bones around its jaws have grown notches and points which have the same effect as crocodile teeth, gripping and piercing the flesh of their prey. The tail has grown in length and is used for propulsion and bursts of speed/power; the tail seems to have less muscle compared to a crocodilians, but the hind legs are proportionately longer which may make up for that fact in regards to swimming efficiency. As with crocodilians, the Nuck mostly eats fish and aquatic animals, but it can catch terrestrial prey that comes to the water banks to drink or wade. Like crocodilians, the Nuck remains mostly submerged while stalking its land quarry, its high-set eyes and nostrils subtly poking out of the water so it can see its surroundings and breathe as it patiently waits for the right moment to strike.

Hope you enjoy this one! Have a few more ideas cooking, might post an one more picture for the week tomorrow. Either way, I will continue my posts next week.