Tossing around FakƩmon ideas for @hollowsart! Nerd mode (and spider warning; text only, no images): ON.
Loosely based off Koreamegops samsiki and Jinjumegops dalingwateri, two recently-discovered fossil spiders notable primarily for having a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) in their eyes that still shines after 100+ million years. The tapetum lucidum is the same thing that causes eyeshine in cats and other nocturnal animals. They were also found fossilized in rock, not amber, which is a first for the larger group of spider these species belong to.
K. samsiki and J. dalingwateri are only known (thus far) from Korea, and their branch of the spider family tree is entirely extinct. There are spiders around now that have similar features, including tapeta lucida, but we donāt have enough information yet to know whether the fossil species would have lived or hunted similarly. Spiders are so diverse and widespread, though, thatās it not at all unreasonble to suspect weāll find related species in other areas someday.
So this could either be a Fossil PokƩmon with a three-stage life cycle like other Fossil PokƩmon, or just a modern PokƩmon with a two-stage evolution.
Fossil: Either the
Orb Fossil - A fossil from a prehistoric PokĆ©mon that once lived on land. It appears as though itās part of an eye. (Plays to the eyeshine feature of the original spiders, though some spiders are also known as āorb weaversā - I donāt think these guys are in that group, though!)
or the
Web Fossil - A fossil from a prehistoric PokĆ©mon that once lived on land. It appears as though itās a remnant of a web built by the PokĆ©mon. (Plays to spiders in general. Other fun facts: Fossils such as tracks and burrows left by extinct animals, that arenāt preserved body parts, are called trace fossils or ichnofossils, and are given their own scientific names known as ichnotaxa!)
(We could also go with āSpindle Fossilā, to play on spindly legs and spinning webs, but weāve already got Spinarak.)
Basic PokƩmon / Evolutionary Stage One:
Coppehop (Cop-pe-hop - Rock / Bug for Fossil version; Bug / Dark for Modern version) - The Jumping Spider PokƩmon. Coppehop make their homes in dark, damp places. Tiny hairs on their legs vibrate to alert them of nearby sound or motion.
Coppehop are small PokĆ©mon that often go unnoticed unless theyāre disturbed. Rather than spinning webs, they lurk in darkness and clutter and wait for prey to pass by. When they sense a potential meal, as well as when theyāre startled, they leap out without warning. Their attacks are extremely quick - since they subdue their prey with a combination of venom and legholds, itās important that they bite as soon as possible after pouncing. Itās rare that humans or larger PokĆ©mon are the victims of Coppehop bites - theyāre as afraid of us as we are them, and prefer hiding to attacking. Most such bites are therefore accidental, happening when humans and PokĆ©mon stumble into Coppehop nests without realizing it. Fortunately, their venom has limited effect on larger creatures, and unless a person (or PokĆ©mon) has a specific allergy to Coppehop venom, bites can usually be treated with an anti-itch cream or oral anithistamines. Smaller PokĆ©mon, or those weak to Bug- or Poison-type attacks, may need more intensive treatment after Coppehop bites and should be taken to a PokĆ©mon Center as soon as possible.
As Coppehop depend on camoflauge to hide from both predators and prey, theyāre primarily found in shades of brown, grey, or dull green, depending on habitat. On closer inspection, however, patches of brighter green and blue can be seen on their undersides, the inside of their legs, and, more occasionally, near their oversized eyes. As ground-dwelling spiders, they have thicker legs than web-builders, and both their legs and bodies are covered in fine hairs that vibrate in response to environmental stimuli.
The name āCoppehopā is derived from the older English word āattercopā (atter, poison, and cop or coppe, spider) and the modern English word āhopā (a small jump).
Evolutionary Stage Two:
Noktecop (Nok-te-cop - Rock / Bug for Fossil version; Bug / Dark for Modern version) - The Nightshine PokƩmon, and the evolved form of Coppehop. Noktecop have a reflective layer in their eyes that allows them to make use of even the tiniest amount of light. The shining of their eyes at night has given rise to many folktales.
Noktecop share both an overall anatomy and basic lifestyle with Coppehop, and the two are often found nesting in colonies that contain both evolutionary stages - however, Noktecop are much larger and heavier, and their venom is more powerful. While bites are still unlikely to be fatal, they can cause infection or even localized tissue necrosis, and both people and PokƩmon bitten by Noktecop are advised to seek immediate treatment, which may include antivenom, antibiotics, and antihistamines. In some cases, a tetanus booster may even be recommended, as the fangs of Noktecop are long enough to produce puncture wounds. A day or two of rest following the bite is helpful, as some victims experience low-grade fevers or generalized malaise. Most victims are able to recover on an outpatient basis and go on about their daily lives, but children, the elderly or immune-compromised, and smaller PokƩmon may have stronger reactions and should remain at a treatment center for observation.
Due to their reflective eyes, Noktecop are more easily-spotted than Coppehop. As they became less able to rely on camoflauge to hide from their own predators, their brighter patches enlarged to send a āStay Away!ā warning to other creatures (aposematic colouration - see āblack widowsā and āpoison dart frogsā). Blues and greens remain the most common, but in some areas, a red form may also be encountered from time to time.
The name āNoktecopā is derived from words such as nicht, nacht, and nott, all of which ultimately descend from Latin nox, night, again paired with the ācopā of āattercopā. āNokā was chosen over āNocā to lessen the overlap with Noctowl. (And Coppehop and Noktecop are kind of matchy and cutesy-rhymey together, but damnit, I like them!)
