nephers

Nephers are a fictional taxon described in speculative biology and fantasy settings as small, nocturnal, bioluminescent aquatic invertebrates that inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and mangrove lagoons. They do not exist in the real world, and their traits vary across sources, with many authors treating nephers as a distinct lineage of uncertain real-world placement.

Physical characteristics: Nephers are typically 0.8 to 2 centimeters long, with a translucent body or exoskeleton and clusters of bioluminescent organs along the sides or abdomen. At night they emit a soft blue-green glow, which they use for communication and mating displays. They have short, grasping appendages suitable for clinging to vegetation or substrates.

Ecology and behavior: Nephers are mostly omnivorous, feeding on microalgae, detritus, and small invertebrates. They are primarily nocturnal and often form loose aggregations near submerged vegetation. Predators include small fish and crustaceans, while the glow may deter some predators or attract others.

Reproduction and life cycle: Breeding occurs in warm seasons; females release eggs that hatch into free-swimming larvae before settling into juvenile forms. Lifespan is typically one to three years in world-building descriptions.

Human use and cultural context: In fiction, nephers are sometimes depicted as a natural source of ambient light or as ecological indicators of coastal habitat health, and are used to illustrate biodiversity concepts.