Artopochares limatulatis

“smooth-sided joyful baker”

Kingdom
Papyrae
Division
Chartoniphyta
Class
Occlupanopsida
Order
Ephemerodectales
Family
Toxodentaceae
Genus
Artopochares
Species
A. limatulatis
External morphology

Thick integument with polished edge. Size 23 mm x 21 mm.

This sturdy-bodied and curiously-marked occlupanopsid was first discovered by FORC scholar E. R. Fisher. Artopochares limatulatis has been found on many Bakers Delight products. Its dark integument has a definitive sloped edge on one side, which has been determined to be its ‘dorsal’ plane.  Some exhibit an irregular symmetry. Though the morphology of A. limatulatis is very distinct, some bear markings eerily similar to the tridentid Obdorpanem praedulcis , while others are unmarked. Perhaps such protective ornamentations are acquired and lost later throughout the course of their pastry-bag parasitism. If camouflage is the reason, it is certainly effective; the gingerbread-colored occlupanopsid blends invisibly among various bread products while clutched onto its clear host bag, as reported by FORC field researcher Kurisu.  Specimen submitted to HORG by science-artisan S. Nottingham.