Domusts

Domusts are a fictional group described in speculative biology and fantasy settings. They are small, social, burrowing invertebrates noted for their communal living and nest-building behaviors.

The name Domusts derives from the Latin domus, meaning home, reflecting their habit of constructing and inhabiting elaborate underground nests.

In most depictions, Domusts occur in temperate forest floors, riverbanks, and occasionally ruined structures, where damp leaf litter and moss provide cover.

Adult Domusts range from 1.5 to 4 cm in length, with a segmented chitinous exoskeleton, short legs, and a pair of sensory antennae. Some colonies exhibit bioluminescent markings used for recognition and mating.

Domust colonies are eusocial, with cooperative brood care, division of labor, and a caste system that includes workers and reproductives. Reproduction is seasonal; alate individuals disperse to form new colonies, while workers maintain the nest.

They are omnivorous detritivores, feeding on fungal hyphae, decomposing plant matter, and tiny invertebrates. Ecologically, they contribute to leaf-litter breakdown and soil formation and serve as prey for small predators.

In fantasy fiction and world-builders' lore, Domusts are sometimes portrayed as guardians of old ruins or household sprites, thought to protect damp basements and cellars when treated with respect.