Amazing Discovery of a New Species

[Katri Kaligawa]

An Anatomical Study of a Mer-man

A case report by Dr K. Kaligawa MD (forensic medicine) assisted by Dr J. H. Watson MD, based on a necropsy of a carcass

Before this day, there have been very few scientific studies on the anatomy and physiology of Mer-people. To this date, we still know extremely little about the life that dwells in the cold, lightless depths of the oceans.

Mer-people are rarely seen and little is known about their life cycle. Until recently, studying these wondrous creatures has proven difficult due to the lack of suitable equipment and the creatures’ evasive nature. We have been given a unique chance to make a small contribution to the scientific community by the study of this fine specimen of the mer-man kind.

This particular individual was found dead, badly entangled in a torn fisherman’s net near the city of New Babbage. Interestingly enough it seems as though it was an example of the rarely reported blind folk of the deep ocean.

The outer appearance is that of a young male. The condition of the cadaver suggests that it was found quite soon after it’s death, although wintery weather and the coldness of The Vernian sea would no doubt slow the process of decay. It’s skin almost completely lacks pigmentation and the features appear very delicate, ethereal even. Fingers are unusually long and no doubt have an extremely highly developed sense of touch. Long hair is also completely white and of fine material.

Characteristic to this cadaver besides it’s lack of pigmentation is that it seems to have been completely blind. There is a thick white nictitating membrane under eyelid, similar to that of many animals, including seals, covering the sclera and cornea completely. We assume that the creature could have lived in completely lightless conditions, where there is no need for vision, in the deep ocean or perhaps in some dark underwater cave.

We start the necropsy by examining the inner organs and musculature of the cadaver. The muscles of the upper body and extremities are identical to a human’s. However, the ribs seem to be formed by cartilage rather than bone, and some of them have signs of both healed and recent compression injuries. This points us to a hypothesis that the mer-man was able to dive to great depths, where the hydrostatic pressure is high enough to compress the thorax to that degree. The lungs are remakably large, being able to contain far greater amount of air than a human’s.

For most other parts the anatomy of the thorax resembles our own. Unlike what some stories and descriptions tell us at least this individual does not have any kind of gill system. It has had to come to the surface to breathe. The mer-man’s lungs are filled with water, suggesting that drowning might have been the cause of death.

How long can a mer-man remain underwater then? As we know, some seals and dolphins can make dives up to more than an hour long, after which they must come to the surface again. Our hypothesis is that mer-people can go on without air for much longer time – several hours even. The view is based on few characteristics of the cadaver.
First, the mer-man’s muscles contain a much higher amount of myoglobin, than any other animal. Myoglobin, like it’s close relative haemoglobin, stores oxygen. Unlike haemoglobin, the oxygen affinity of myoglobin is much higher than that of haemoglobin and it releases it only at a relatively low concentration of free oxygen in the cytoplasm. This means that myoglobin is an excellent way of storing oxygen in the muscles until it is needed and the more myoglobin one has, the longer time one can survive without breathing air.
Secondly, the merman has a relatively large mass of muscles, especially on it’s tail, so it can store a great amount of oxygen in them.
The last hypothesis is little more than just a guess, but we think the creature might be able to fall into some sort of hibernating state while underwater, moving very slowly and thus reducing it’s need for energy.

The tail resembles a dolphin’s or a whale’s tail, ending in thin, almost transparent flukes. Apart from the existence of pelvic bones, the gross anatomy and musculature of the lower body is very much like that of a cetacean. The pelvic bones are a very interesting part of this cadaver. There is a well formed human sacral bone. The iliac bones seem a lot like human one save for few details, like the absence of the acetabulum, the place for the head of the femur in humans. The ischium bones, however, differ from those of human.

They form tuberosities – the portion that supports weight while sitting, but little more. There are no pubic bones, so the pelvis does not form a full circle. This means that although mer-people have no legs, but a tail instead, they are able to sit like humans.

How did this mer-man come to the shores of New Babbage?

Perhaps it came from deeper waters, far away from our city, and got caught in a fisherman’s net on it’s way to surface to breathe. Perhaps there could even be a great underwater cave near New Babbage, in the depths of the Vernian sea, the life of which we know nothing about.

[Pinkfeather Heron]

Absolutely fascinating! *reaches for hir spectacles and re-examines some of these sketches* I was aware only of more fishlike merfolk, which actually do have gills. Analogous evolution of both piscean and cetacean merfolk, yes, very intriguing indeed...

((LOVED this post!))

[Katri Kaligawa]

Perhaps the next step would be finding the missing links of evolution?

((Thank you :D))

[Moses Mureaux]

What a fascinating study! My recent experiences among the Merfolk has taught me a new respect for the species. Your study highlighting some of the similarities and differences between our species will no doubt by considered a breakthrough in biological research.

[Penelope Strathearn]

((Beautifully done! I think I bruised my chin when my jaw dropped to the floor.... *grin*))

[Wiggy Undertone]

Fascinating! Well researched and beautifully illustrated as well!

[Ceejay Writer]

I am fascinated.

(My typist is in happy tears. Well done. Well done.)

[Capt. Red Llewellyn]

in triplicate i echo....fascinated!
dear doctor, i am in awe of your detailed notes and your delicate drawings....though i have spent time below the deep due to my history with the waters (and some family backround of which i am unusually reticent) it also leaves me quite sad that such a strong and beautiful being was found dead in our waters.....and makes me wonder...could there be more? mayhap we should explore further...swim, seek, sing and search for those who remain?! if only to break the sad news of this fine merman's demise...
~Capt. Red

[Katri Kaligawa]

Yes! Due to the quick developement of the modern technology we now have the means to explore the deep oceans. What wonders we might find!

[Edward Pearse, Duke of Argylle]

Exceptional illustrations and a very interesting post. One thing I would question is the calling of it a *new* species. I own a fossilised mer-skeleton that I have displayed in my study.

But it certainly bears further study.

[Katri Kaligawa]

Ah! I must confess I have not yet seen the skeleton. I must go see it as soon as I can.

[Elina Koskinen]

I did think I smelled a fish!
Though, in this case, it seems the creature is a mammal. (Why else would they have nipples? *cough*)
Most interesting.

Oh, a new species? Well, maybe people have seen mer-folk previously, but how many has seen something this rare? He seems to be from quite deep indeed.

((I had fun times being the merman btw, hah ;D))

[The Scientist]

Excellent work Dr. Kaligawa!

A fascinating study, well done! It is odd that this specimen lacked pigmentation and sight in the manner of sea life native to the lightless depths of the ocean, yet was still uniquivocably an air-breather.

I have two hypotheses:

First, there may be extensive underwater caves filled with air and ecosystems of plant and animal life.

Second, I have read herbalist lore of a rare species of seaweed that, when chewed, releases enough oxygen over an extended period to support human exploration. This text was written in an age long before the invention of the bathoscope. Such a plant would likely be a staple in the diet of a being like this.