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Living among the trees of Skull Island was a giant insect species known as a Spore Mantis. The creature had evolved to resemble its wood surroundings, able to mimic a fallen tree. In the wild, the gigantic insect was fond of sitting motionless, waiting for prey to disturb it. Despite appearances, the Spore Mantis featured a powerful muscle system. This was an interweaving of striated tendons and fibrous structural tissues, similar to tree roots. As a result, the Spore Mantis could on occasion move at surprising speeds.
The Spore Mantis is not a single organism, though. Located under the vascular tissue is a slug-like parasite. This secondary organism featured spiked teeth, giving the Spore Mantis a carnivorous appetite. Able to crush bone, the duo would then utilize a digestive system built around sap. This protein-rich sap would not just digest the victim, but encase the remains in a crystalline amber.
Although their normal prey is unknown, the giant insects found themselves face-to-face with man in 1973. This year marked a period when the Sky Devils military unit, under guidance from MONARCH, visited Skull Island. After an attack from King Kong, the group became separated. Among those lost was Jack Chapman, who happened upon a fallen tree to rest on. This tree was actually a Spore Mantis, which got up to confront him. Chapman, though, let loose with gunfire, striking the giant insect. Although destroying some of the bark-like skin, the Spore Mantis did not appear hurt. Regardless, the creature turned around and slowly walked away to retreat.
The threat to the giant insect, though, was not Chapman at all. Instead the Spore Mantis was fleeing from a nearby Skullcrawler, which shortly afterwards attacked Chapman. |
