The Arctic Cannon Beetle is a variant of tundra Lithopod recently discovered on PNF-404 by famous Koppaite ranger Captain Charlie. It's the northernmost species of Lithopod, and the only one adapted to snowy landscapes. For the longest time, only the larva had been found, but later studies by the Rescue Corps finally revealed the adult forms to scientific study.
Description[]
The larval stage of the Arctic Cannon Beetle.
Arctic Cannon Beetles, as described by the Rescue Corps, resemble the Horned Cannon Beetle in appearance, outside of a lightly colored exoskeleton and lack of hole on the body for making large rocks like most other Lithopods. The hole is there as it grows, but closes up completely once it matures.
Larva have a light green back and a lavender underbelly, possibly to better disguise in winter climates.
Unlike most species, but like the Firesnout Beetle, this species isn't able to produce rocks in its body to be used as projectiles. Instead, the Arctic Cannon Beetle can shoot out frozen water particles in the form of snowballs. Previous theories thought that this is due to the lack of ore in its habitat, that most other Lithopods find accessible to in other regions. However, studies later show that the ice compounds are created through specialized internal bacteria, with pressurized fluids within the body acting like a coolant. The air is then heated up just enough to make the compounds freeze upon release.
Evolution[]
An older theory regarding the species is about the species holds a similar ancestry to the Armored Cannon Beetle, with ancestors to this variant unable to migrate during the global climate shift. This meant that Greater Lithopods had to evolve in a colder climate.
A new study of the species revealed that the animal had evolved to better consume food matter with their mouths as opposed to the species. This then brought over the idea that this lack of protection made this species become out-competed in many southern regions by Armored Cannon Beetles, thus driving the species further north into its colder climate habitats.