Neulakoepala
Neulakoepala is a fictional genus of marine invertebrates created for speculative biology and worldbuilding. In its canonical descriptions, Neulakoepala species are small, sessile encrusters that attach to rocky substrates and live in shallow coastal waters. The genus is often used to illustrate convergent evolution and the emergence of protective head-like structures in diverse lineages.
The name derives from neo- (new) and Greek kephale (head), chosen to reflect a prominent cranial shield
Organisms are described as having a domed, calcified carapace covering most of the body, a soft ventral
They inhabit temperate to tropical seas, often on reef-like structures, on sedimentary bottoms, and sometimes in
In the fictional taxonomy, Neulakoepala sits in its own family Neulakidae within a hypothetical order Cephalomorpha,
As a construct, Neulakoepala is used to discuss evolutionary trade-offs between mobility, protection, and feeding efficiency,