Why it evolved

The sharp shifts in water salinity on Tethys Shallows favor individuals with better osmoregulation, allowing them to survive osmotic stress when freshwater floods or high tides occur. This pressure leads to the evolution of more sophisticated ion pumps and water-permeable membranes. As a trade-off, the energy required for this physiological regulation reduces the capacity for complex cooperative hunting behaviors, making them less reliant on partners and slightly smaller, increasing their vulnerability to predators like the Mud-Stalker and Gasping Mudfish.