A humanoid species very closely related to Homo sapiens. It is native to Planet Aucafidus, and is also known as Etoan.
Description
Eto aucafidi or Etoan is a species with at least two existing subspecies: Eto aucafidi siyakiformes, and Eto aucafidi optimus. The siyakiformes subspecies is genetically very close to Homo sapiens. Some taxonomists even consider them a single species.
Two differences stand out between Eto aucafidi and Homo sapiens. Their muscle tissues carry positively charged myoglobin at a higher concentration. They also completely lack myostatin producing genes. Morphologically, their ears tend to be more pointed than the ears of Homo sapiens.
Eto aucafidi optimus
Eto aucafidi optimus shares a hundred percent of the genes of Eto aucafidi siyakiformes. Despite this, it carries a distinct set of genetic enhancements.
Their skin uses zinc oxides instead of melanine to block ultraviolet radiation from their sun. Their blood vessels hold no red blood cells. Instead, specialized multipurpose protein-based nanobots take over three roles. These polyhemeobtan matrices handle oxygen transport, waste removal, and the immune system. Their blood therefore has a milk-like consistency and coloration.
The most radical differences between Eto aucafidi optimus and the other groups lie in three systems. These are the respiratory, the musculoskeletal, and the neurological systems. Their respiratory system is analogous to the avian respiratory system. It comprises true lungs and air-sacks. The skeletal composition differs significantly from that of mammals. Their tissues also include specialized iron-meshed neurons.
Respiratory system
Their true lungs comprise four regions, grouped in left-right and ventral-dorsal orientation. The lungs neither contract nor expand in each breathing cycle. They contain no alveolar sacks. Instead, structures similar to avian para-bronchi fill them. These are millions of fine pipes, surrounded with blood vessels to exchange gasses.
When they inhale, they expand the pleural cavities. The rib cages move, and the diaphragm contracts. This expansion produces negative pressure areas in the posterior and anterior air-sacks. Inhaled air routes through the ventral true lungs into the posterior air-sacks. From there, it routes on to the anterior air-sacks through the dorsal true lungs. The valves between the anterior air-sacks and the trachea stay closed during inhalation.
When they exhale, they compress the pleural cavities. The rib cages move, and the diaphragm relaxes. This compression forces the remaining air out of the posterior air-sacks. It evacuates toward the anterior air-sacks through the dorsal true lungs.
Oxygen-poor air in the anterior air-sacks then evacuates to the trachea. The valves on the tracheal-anterior passages relax to let it pass. On the contrary, the valves between the ventral true lungs and the posterior air-sacks contract during exhalation. Air leaves the posterior air-sacks only through the dorsal true lungs.
Musculoskeletal system
About twenty percent of the volume holds carbon-nanotube reinforced polymers. A network of carbon-based phononic computronium clusters connects to protopolyhemeobtan glands. The polymers increase skeletal elasticity and strength. This reduces the likelihood of breakage.
The computronium cluster network programs the protopolyhemeobtan matrices. It tasks them to produce mature specialized polyhemeobtan matrices. It also coordinates their functions.
Mature specialized polyhemeobtan matrices are colloquially called silver agents. They enter the blood stream and perform their preprogrammed functions. These functions include the normal circulatory work. They introduce and transport nutrients and oxygen, and then remove waste products. The skeletal computronium clusters can add more functions under their supervision. These added functions cover foreign body detection and tissue repair.
Iron-rich neural tissues
Specialized iron-mesh sheathed neurons spread across the skeletal structures and cartilages. Their concentration peaks on the temporal and parietal lobes. It also peaks on the ear and nose cartilages, the cranial shell, and the rib cages.
These neurons produce and detect radio-frequency broadcasts. This lets two or more Eto aucafidi optimus communicate with each other. They exchange data over multiple high-bandwidth radio-frequency channels. They also communicate with their technology. The same infrastructure also serves passive and active radio-frequency detection and ranging. In effect, this equips Eto aucafidi optimus with medium to long range imaging of the immediate area. It works even in the absence of other senses.