Pokémon The Alola Pokedex

[Persephone]

Castform
Cirrocumulus amenomori

Overview

Castform were originally made with the intention of predicting the weather. They are nearly incapable of doing so in a useful manner. Instead, they conform to what the weather is currently doing around them. Their creator believed his life’s work had ended in failure. It drove him to burn his notes and end his own life, only leaving behind a half dozen specimens of a new species.

Castform have still ended up revolutionizing both pokémon studies and meteorology. While they struggle to predict the weather, castform can change and be changed by it. Their ability to do so raises questions about the links between elemental energy and meteorology. Studying castform could answer those questions.

Alola holds the world’s only wild population of castform. They were left behind in 2011 after a research study was abruptly abandoned due to a tragic accident and an abrupt loss of funding and personnel. Castform have since bred far more readily than expected and have become established on most of Alola’s islands. This is not seen as an ecological problem as they are far more likely to emulate weather than change it and mostly keep to themselves.

Trainers in Alola have a rare opportunity to capture and train castform. They are docile pokémon with a very unusual background. Those interested in focusing on multiple weathers may find castform to be an invaluable supporting pokémon. Trainers more interested in traditional battle statistics and strategies may find castform to be too weak to bother with.

Physiology

Castform are classified as pure normal-types. The ruling is disputed. Some researchers push for a water-, flying-, or ghost-type. Castform are made almost entirely of water. It is believed they are controlled by a spirit. They usually have a gaseous body and float through the air. These traits would justify other typings. Normal is simply the default typing for pokémon that can change theirs.

Castform have three other recognized forms, colloquially known as the sunny, rainy, and snowy states. Sunny state castform are classified as fire-types due to their warm body and pyrokinesis. Rainy state castform are classified as water-types due to their liquid body and even more potent hydrokinesis than normal. Snowy state castform are classified as ice-types due to their icy body, snow summoning, and cryokinesis.

The main portion of castform’s body is shaped like a light grey teardrop. Two knobby protrusions hang beneath it with a small tail extends behind. The protrusions cannot be used to manipulate objects and serve no discernible purpose. On castform’s “face” is a lighter patch resembling a domino mask with two eyes. The eyes may or may not be functional. Castform have demonstrated color vision but can see in all directions.

Castform do not appear to have distinct organs. Their entire body is made of dust and water vapor likely held in place by a spiritual entity similar to jellicent. Even this is disputed as castform are nearly immune to spiritual attacks in their base state and are unusually docile for a pokémon, much less a ghost-type. Their reproduction patterns do not have any clear link to local deaths and they do not feed on emotions. In the absence of the creator’s notes or related species, all research on castform’s origins is essentially guesswork.

Sunny state castform have a similar lower body. Their upper body becomes filled with flickering sparks and is incredibly hot to the touch. Multiple bubble-like growths form a vertical ring around castform from one base of the upper body to the top to the base on the other side. The bubbles rise and fall slowly over time. The castform’s face becomes dark red with orange on the mask. The body is similar in size and mass to normal castform but at a far higher temperature, leading to more energy expended keeping the water vapor contained. The water vapor can be scalding in particularly powerful castform in artificially hot conditions. In laboratory tests castform have held their shape in temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, although they became seriously ill and lost cohesion when held at that temperature for an extended period of time. They can briefly withstand far hotter flames.

Rainy state castform develop a more complex lower body resembling a pleated skirt. It is darker in color than is typical for castform. The upper body coalesces into a blue, spherical core of water and a wispy teardrop of water vapor around it. This is the only state in which part of the castform’s body is liquid. They can only enter this state in very humid environments as they must take in a great deal of water. Outside of their states, castform are only about 30% water vapor by volume and 80% by mass, the rest being made up of air and dust. Rainy state castform can be up to 70% water by volume and 99% water by mass.

Snowy state castform can form in cold and humid conditions. They require extra ambient water in the same way rainy state castform do. Snowy state is the largest and heaviest state with the castform’s entire body growing outwards with thin layers of icy armor held in place around the edges. A hollow sphere of ice forms around their eyes and upper body with swirling wisps of freezing air revolving around it. The ice in their body can be broken but will quickly reform in much the same state. Snowy state castform can survive in temperatures as low 75 degrees Kelvin.

Castform in all states subsist on dead organic particles or single-called organisms in the air or on the surface of objects. They passively feed. Very small or dead organic material that enters their body seems to decompose and disappear completely in a matter of seconds. Whether it is turned into the dust binding castform’s body together or converted directly to some form of energy or ectoplasm is not known. Castform often make themselves useful by dusting surfaces or cleaning up dandruff or other shedding from pokémon or humans. Trainers do not actively need to feed them. Simply avoid prolonged stays in highly sterile environments.

Castform are typically about eleven inches tall. Their mass varies by state, from a few ounces in their standard state to three pounds in snowy or rainy states. The period between regenerations ranges from six to twenty years in captivity. Wild regeneration intervals are not known.

Behavior

Castform do not possess a great deal of willpower or intelligence. They are mostly content to drift aimlessly, occasionally lowering themselves onto an object to feed. There is no discernible difference in activity at different times of the day for captive specimens. Wild populations tend to be mostly nocturnal to avoid encountering humans.

Activity increases dramatically outside of their base states, leading to social gatherings and more rapid movements through the air. These dances do not appear to have any order to them and their purpose is unknown. Movementsatterns vary between states. The snowy state’s movements are slower and involve more spinning. Sunny states will tumble through the air. Rainy states move the least, mostly bobbing up and down with slow horizontal movements.

It is believed that castform can only survive in places with frequent natural intense sunlight, rainfall, or snow. These are the only places in Alola castform are found. Castform do not work together to create their preferred climates like ninetales and flygon. Wild castform almost never change the weather at all and much prefer to be changed by it. The ambient elemental energy in weather may feed them in some way.

Captive specimens often pick up a few behaviors from observing teammates and humans. Some even whistle or softly babble in a way that almost hints at language but is incomprehensible to all other species. Wild castform occasionally whistle to roughly mimic common bird calls. Mimicry may be a form of stimulation or a way to endear themselves to other species.

Castform do not have predators or hunt anything but microorganisms. They are mostly ignored by other wildlife, although very curious creatures may interact with them.

Husbandry

Castform require very little effort to keep. They appear to enjoy interactions with humans and other pokémon, but do not engage in traditional forms of play. They can feed passively or with occasional exposure to dusty rooms. Waste takes the form of an occasional trail of dust or water droplets. They naturally prefer to release waste outside.

Most specimens experience a marked increase in activity and mood when taken into natural rain, snow, or harsh sunlight. They can be trusted to wander unsupervised for a time as they are unlikely to get in trouble and will invariably return home. Outdoor access in general provides a boost to activity. There is no significant difference in activity after time inside or in a stasis ball. Most specimens do not mind spending a few hours at a time in their ball, although some will sulk if they missed out on rain or snow.

Castform may appreciate having other weather manipulators as teammates. While experienced specimens can change the weather themselves, they prefer if someone else does it for them. Having ready access to state-altering weather increases activity levels. There have been few documented conflicts between a castform and another species. In the worst-case scenario, they will simply ignore or float away from the aggressor, who in turn often loses interest.

Illness

After taking extensive damage castform will begin to lose cohesion and stop battling. This is the proper time to withdraw them. If withdrawn when they stop fighting there will almost never be further health effects. Castform can be killed by continuous elemental damage.

The only other known ailments castform suffer from are starvation and dehydration. Starvation is only a risk in extremely sterile environments. Researchers initially struggled to care for castform until they learned what castform ate. Most modern laboratories that work with castform are either large outdoor spaces or greenhouses with healthy microbiology.

Dehydration is a more practical risk. Castform can thrive in warm, humid environments but can struggle in hot deserts. The population in the Haina Valley frequently travels to the coast to rehydrate and takes shelter on windy days when it is difficult to properly anchor themselves. Most of Alola is humid enough to support them. Care should still be taken in the driest of environments. Castform can thrive in dry, cold areas by rehydrating with melted snow. A research population in Antarctica flourished in the summer before being removed as a potential invasive species. It is unknown if they would have survived the dry, sunless winter.

Evolution

Castform continue to grow slightly larger and heavier as they age. Combat experience helps them gain mastery of weather manipulation, something peaceful wild specimens struggle at. Frequent combat also leads to somewhat shorter lifespans (see Breeding).

Battle

Castform are versatile pokémon that can alter weather more quickly and thoroughly than even pokémon such as ninetales and politoed. They can even do this with multiple types of weather and adjust their attacks to match. This makes castform very useful on teams utilizing multiple forms of weather to counter different play styles.

Unfortunately, castform are still small and relatively frail and weak. Physical attacks will go right through them but elemental ones can wear them out quickly. They can usually set weather in high level matches but do little else. Even if they did survive, castform’s shallow support movepool and modest power would limit what they could accomplish. Castform have a niche and do it well, but it’s a small niche and they struggle outside of it.

Castform have a diverse array of attacks early in the challenge and an unmatched ability to change the weather in the trainer’s favor later in it. This can lead to important advantages such as fighting the dragon trial in snow, the fire trial in rain, and the water trial in harsh sunlight. That alone often makes them worth a team slot, even if they can struggle to take hits or do damage.

Acquisition

Castform have quickly established themselves across much of Alola. They appear to be ecologically harmless and provide a small boost to the economy. The Department of Natural Resources has decided to not only leave them be but offer some protections such as seasonal and trainer quotas.

Castform usually stay hidden or close to ground during calm weather. Rainforest populations tend to wander the forest during rainstorms. The Lanakila population will descend lower on mountain during blizzards. The Haina population is most active on calm, hot days. During particularly dry periods they can be seen by the ocean nearby.

Castform can be readily released and are rarely found in shelters. Several breeders and trainers in Alola actively or passively breed castform and will have specimens available for purchase.

Trainers may capture, adopt, or purchase a castform with a Class I license.

Breeding

Castform experience a natural lifespan of growth, increasing power, senescence, death, and regeneration. For the first few months they will grow quickly in size until they reach 80% of their final mass. They will then grow slowly in size and power for the next few years. Eventually, castform begin to slow down and struggle in battle. They will stop responding entirely to external stimuli a week or so before their death.

Upon death, castform briefly collapse into an expanding cloud of water vapor. The cloud will then coalesce into one or more castform, each smaller than their progenitor. Stronger castform produce more offspring. The new specimens retain some of the progenitor’s habits, including an affinity for the same places and people. Some behaviors such as babbling speech or individualized dances will also be retained.

Breeding is inevitable. Trainers who do not wish to care for all of the offspring can sell them off or release them to the wild to bolster the population. It is encouraged to release offspring to the place where their progenitor was first captured. This eases the transition to wild life.

Relatives

Castform’s creator, Dr. Haruto Amenomori, had previously published a paper on jellicent. Like castform, jellicent are ghosts with a body almost entirely composed of water. Unlike castform, jellicent have a significant amount of ectoplasm in their bodies. Their behaviors are also almost entirely different. Colleagues report that Dr. Amenomori had also taken interest in kecleon and porygon shortly before his death.

Jellicent and castform seem to reflexively dislike each other. Kecleon and porygon are curious about castform but show no unusual affinity or aggression. At present castform are tentatively classified as a domesticated relative of jellicent, but this is one of the most uncertain relations in the entirety of pokémon phylogeny.

 

[Persephone]

Golisopod (Wimpod)
Cataphractis propelitus

Overview

Golisopod are a fascinating glimpse into deep sea wildlife. They are rare among deep sea species in that they begin their life on land. Wimpod are common scavengers along portions of Alola’s coastlines. With enough support and training they can become strong, durable pokémon capable of holding their own through the end of the island challenge. However, they will be essentially useless until they evolve. They also have less ultimate power than gyarados and milotic, two other water-types with slow starts. On balance, golisopod are far less difficult to handle than the pseudo-dragons. They’re also easier to care for than most other deep sea life on account of their origins at the surface.

Physiology

Both stages are classified as dual water- and bug-types. The ruling is not controversial.

Wimpod are small arthropod pokémon. Their body is split into segments with armor along the back. The exoskeleton is usually a pale blue, but can also be white or grey. Wimpod have eight legs. None are proper claws and they are adapted to allow wimpod to grip onto slick surfaces and run or swim away as quickly as possible. When threatened wimpod can curl up into an armored ball.

Wimpod have compound eyes but primarily sense the world through their antennae. The antennae can sense smells and subtle shifts in air currents to help them identify potential food and predators. Wimpod can sense when kecleon are near despite their invisibility. They can find their way to rotting plants or flesh up to one mile away. Each wimpod has scent glands that can be used to emit a putrid odor that informs nearby conspecifics of a threat. Because wimpod’s bar for threats is quite low their habitats can gain a very distinct scent.

Golisopod are built less for curling into a ball and escaping and more for active hunting, or at least punishing whatever predator thought the they would be an easy meal. They still have eight limbs. The back two are stocky and muscular. They can be used to launch golisopod forward to attack or punish enemies who sneak up on them. The front two limbs are heavily armored and can be used as shields. Each of the front limbs has two retractable claws that are long and sharp enough to be used for climbing, slashing through hides, or piercing into weak points such as eye sockets. The remaining limbs are relatively short and tipped in smaller, fixed claws. These can be used for moving food to the mouth or slashing anything that gets too close. They are also used to grip onto the partner during mating.

Golisopod’s back is coated in thick armor plates. This toughness can be augmented with moves like iron defense to make their armor harder than steel. Golisopod’s extra bulk and large claws prevent them from fully forming an armored ball so they prefer to take hits to the back when in danger. Along the side of the armor are several strange protrusions resembling an inverted ribcage. These can be lowered to cover the gaps in the armor and reduce heat loss in the open ocean or raised to facilitate heat loss on the surface. This allows golisopod to thrive anywhere from 80 degree temperatures in the air to water cooler than 40 degrees. On the seafloor the pokémon’s metabolism plunges and their body temperature can be as low as 48 degrees. They are far warmer on the surface.

Wimpod and golisopod have gill structures they breathe through in the water. On the surface they can force air through the gills into air sacs deeper in the body. Both stages have stomachs capable of digesting nearly anything and very long digestive tracts designed to process all possible nutrients from what they eat.

Golisopod can grow to be seven feet long and weigh up to two hundred pounds. Captive specimens can live for over fifty years, although this number has continuously increased as the species is better understood and care has improved. Wild lifespans are not well understood but are believed to be longer than captive ones.

Behavior

Wimpod are scavengers that live along Alola’s rocky shores and in some warm cave systems near the ocean. They do not dig their own burrows but need to have cramped, enclosed spaces to retreat to. These are often gaps between stones or very small caves. They do not mind sharing space with conspecifics and there can be up to fifty wimpod in a suitable cave. Ordinary social behaviors such as communal grooming, leadership hierarchies, or group strategizing are conspicuously absent. They seem to be essentially solitary pokémon living in the same territory in great numbers.

Almost anything can be a meal for a wimpod. They prefer rotting flesh but are usually driven away by larger scavengers. As a result they tend to eat meat too degraded for most competitors. They will also happily eat algae, decaying plants, or anything incapable of running from them or fighting back. Some wimpod have demonstrated an ability to eat washed up tentacool without striking the nematocysts. Wimpod can also swim well and are capable of feeding above and below the water’s surface.

In practice wimpod are usually nocturnal to minimize the number of threats they encounter. They are incredibly cowardly creatures that prefer to hide from anything large moving nearby. When confronted they will run back to their shelter. If this fails they will curl up into a ball and wait until they die or the aggressor leaves. It is extremely uncommon for wimpod to fight back against anything, even conventional animals.

Most of Alola’s golisopod live between five hundred and five thousand feet beneath the surface. They mostly live in the ocean’s twilight zone, although some venture into the darkness below. The lack of food further from shore limits the population at such depths. They are primarily scavengers that will lie in wait for months at a time before swarming towards anything they sense falling nearby. Golisopod prefer to simply eat the fallen food, although if this runs out they may attack and kill other scavengers drawn to it. Closer to shore golisopod are well known for breaking into trawls or traps to kill and eat all the fish inside. When food is available golisopod can gorge themselves so much that they are unable or unwilling to move for over two months afterwards. One specimen repeatedly monitored on the seafloor was still sluggish more than six months after a wailord had fallen nearby.

Golisopod further away from the land and water’s surface can also serve as ambush predators. They lurk in total darkness and lunge using their powerful legs at anything that comes close. If they do not finish their prey in one blow with their claws they are likely to retreat back into the darkness and wait for another chance.

The species’ large size and relative lack of movement has made them easy to study compared to more motile deep sea creatures. They are also curious and will approach submersibles to see if they have food or are threats to be avoided. One submersible carrying live samples for an aquarium was attacked and destroyed by a golisopod trying to eat the fish and invertebrates being brought to the surface.

There are still critical gaps in science’s understanding of golisopod. They have never been seen breeding, although gravid females have been photographed and even captured in trawls. Golisopod have been documented tolerating each other at larger falls, but their social system is still poorly understood. It’s easy to photograph a golisopod with a submersible, but the vehicle may affect their behavior.

Wimpod are preyed upon by most mid-size predators. Kecleon can often infiltrate their hiding places and use their long tongues to target their vulnerable antennae and underside. Carvanha can bite through their armor. Birds can sometimes ambush them from above.

Golisopod have been seen with marks on their armor or underside similar to those from malamar and grapploct suction cups. It is unclear if the cephalopods were hunting the golisopod or vice-versa. Few malamar have been found with golisopod slash marks, suggesting that any wounds they sustain in these fights are likely fatal. Grapploct have been found with slash and piercing marks and even hoarding golisopod armor as trophies or makeshift shields.

Husbandry

Wimpod will eat anything presented to them. Seafood is the best option but it does not necessarily have to be fresh. They will also happily eat table scraps and can digest nearly all common human foods. The main problem with feeding wimpod is ensuring they don’t gorge themselves. They should be fed as much and often as they can sustain while still being active after meals. This usually works out to five to eight ounces of food per day, depending on the specimen’s size. Drinkable water should be present whenever the pokémon is taken out of their ball.

Golisopod are pickier eaters but need to eat less frequently. They strongly prefer meat and seafood. Frozen foods are usually acceptable, but some will insist on reasonably fresh meals. Golisopod can go days or even weeks without eating. Sessile aquarium specimens can go months between meals. One specimen at a Japanese aquarium went on a hunger strike and died five years later. Most trainers of reasonably active specimens adopt a weekly feeding schedule. It is fine to feed them enough that they will not move for a few hours afterwards, but feeding them so much that they cannot move for a full day is discouraged.

Both stages appreciate having dark, confined spaces to retreat to. Most will happily spend days on end in a stasis ball. Trainers should still let them out at least once a day to avoid potential health problems. While not strictly nocturnal, golisopod feel most comfortable out of direct sunlight. They can still be active on cloudy days. Wimpod are ambivalent and will be active whenever their trainer is.

Wimpod are easily startled and should be kept in controlled, safe environments whenever possible. Introductions to new pokémon should be taken very slowly. They can appreciate simple puzzles and novel objects, but can be scared by anything that makes sudden movements or loud noises. Wimpod should be given access to fresh or saltwater to submerge in whenever possible. Almost all will refuse to use communal pools at Pokémon Centers.

Golisopod are bolder, but not particularly outgoing. They still prefer to spend most of their time in their pokéball or sitting still in a cool, dark space outside of it. When given the option they will usually retreat into the surf and keep an eye on everything around them. Many people and pokémon find this to be unnerving. A well-fed golisopod rarely attacks or otherwise misbehaves. They simply enjoy keeping tabs on their environments.

Most golisopod appreciate feeding puzzles, toys, and occasional battle. Aquarium specimens have long been kept in dark, barren tanks with few behavioral issues. They rarely engage in socialization. Captive wimpod and golisopod may still appreciate having their shells brushed. Wimpod brushing should be done with a soft toothbrush. Golisopod can be handled cleaned with rags. Some will accept non-cleaning petting.

Wimpod strongly prefer even-tempered, herbivorous or lithovorous teammates. Even non-predatory spectral pokémon can upset them. Golisopod are far more tolerant of team members, although they may attempt to hunt smaller pokémon when they are first introduced to the team. Some pokémon find golisopod’s size and predatory gaze to be too much and will be anxious in their presence.

Illness

Wimpod and golisopod are capable of regenerating most physical damage, including exoskeleton fractures and loss of limbs. This requires them to molt, a period of several days during which they are exceedingly vulnerable and appreciate dark, secluded places to rest in. They should be allowed to emerge at their own pace.

Golisopod are prone to overheating when left in direct sunlight on warm days for an extended period of time. They will usually attempt to catch their trainer’s attention or find shade long before this becomes a serious health hazard. Try to keep golisopod nocturnal or at least able to retreat to their ball, cool water, air conditioning, or shade during the day.

As with most bug-types, both stages are vulnerable to medicines used on other species. Chlorinated water can be dangerous to them and should be avoided at all costs. They cannot usually drink or bathe in untreated tap water. Golisopod can usually survive accidental poisoning. Ingesting chlorine is often fatal for wimpod.

Isopod iridescent virus has never been documented in Alola but can be a serious concern when traveling abroad. The virus’s most visible symptom is the development of brilliant blue or purple patterns on the exoskeleton. The disease can lead to anorexia, confusion, sluggishness, and death. It was once popular to intentionally infect isopods for aesthetic purposes. The practice has now been banned in most nations and knowingly importing an infected individual to Alola is a felony.

Evolution

Most pokémon evolve more quickly if they have extensive combat experience. It is believed that the elemental energy flowing through their bodies can accelerate growth and evolution. This is particularly true for species that experience flash evolution.

For golisopod, combat is a requirement for evolution. Not much is required. A single high-stakes battle will usually do. Wimpod avoid combat at all costs. It is estimated that fewer than 8% of mature wild wimpod will actually evolve. Evolution rates are much higher in captivity. It is easiest to acclimate wimpod to combat by having them attack ordinary plants or bugs before moving on to weak grass- or bug-type pokémon. In time they may become confident enough to challenge progressively larger opponents until they finally seek out a challenge that can triggers a flash evolution.

Upon evolution golisopod are usually five to six feet long. They will grow to their full size over the course of three to five more molts, depending on how much damage must be healed with each one.

Wild golisopod tend to spend a few weeks around the shallows before moving down the slope of the Alolan islands until they reach the twilight zone. They will move progressively further down as they age.

Battle

Golisopod are not top-tier threats capable of wiping out unprepared teams themselves. They’re still powerful, useful pokémon that are known to help fill out the teams of upper echelon trainers or even serve as the ace of regional professional trainers.

To start with, golisopod are capable of lunging and formidable speeds and can deal a great deal of damage with their sharp claws and deceptively strong muscles. They are capable of basic strategizing on the fly, falling back when the tide of battle turns against them and then lunging again for another devastating opening blow. They are fast enough to outmaneuver some slower walls. Most physical attacks will fail to deal significant damage to their shell. Some golisopod will even quickly pick up tricks such as spikes and leech life and add them to their repertoire.

Golisopod lack exceptional strengths. They will not knock out many pokémon in one hit. They are not the fastest. Their armor is durable but can be circumvented. They’re vulnerable to elemental attacks. Golisopod also only have one exceptional weakness: high flying opponents. In their natural habitat golisopod can ‘fly’ through the water to reach enemies. Even on land they can jump surprisingly high to catch birds. If an enemy is too far above them, though, they lack any real means of damaging them. This is a common weakness for melee attackers that most teams will build around. Overall golisopod are a reliable pokémon that can pull their weight in most matchups but are unlikely to swing the match by themselves. Their lack of clear weaknesses makes them a popular mid-challenge power check for many gym leaders around the Indo-Pacific.

Golisopod can be extremely useful pokémon on the island challenge. They match up well into every grand trial with water- and bug-coverage for Olivia, Nanu, and Hapu and sturdy armor for Hala. In standard trials they work well as assassins charging in to seriously damage a totem or supporting pokémon before the entire opposition can converge and gang up on them.

Acquisition

Wimpod can be found along most of Alola’s coastline, especially near rocky shores. A small population can also be found in the volcanic caves of northeast Akala. Finding wimpod is easy. Catching them can be considerably more difficult due to their skittishness. Traps are probably the most effective method. Standing very still with food nearby can work, but is far more likely to attract wingull or other pokémon that scare wimpod away. It is rare to see a store or shelter with wimpod as they are easily released and cannot be bred in captivity. Wimpod can be acquired with a Class I license.

Very few wild golisopod live near the surface in Alola. They are protected from capture to help preserve the wild population. Individuals can occasionally be found for sale or adoption with a Class III license.

Breeding

Golisopod breeding is believed to occur deep in the ocean at low temperatures and high pressures. Captive golisopod have never shown much interest in mating. Aquariums capable of replicate their wild conditions are still fairly new and usually too small to house two golisopod long-term. It is known that gravid golisopod can store up to five thousand fertilized eggs. They approach the shore before hiding their eggs and departing. Buried eggs have never been found.

Relatives

The island, coastal, or nearshore golisopod is the species that lives in Alola. They are believed to have traveled between island chains on top of driftwood rather than on the seafloor. Golisopod can be found ranging across most islands of the tropical Pacific, as well as in portions of mainland Southeast Asia. There is some dispute as to whether the Asian population constitutes a separate subspecies or species as adults are almost never seen below 3,000 feet.

Deepwater or abyssal golisopod (C. tenetaquas) live on the abyssal plains. They are smaller than nearshore golisopod. The largest documented specimen was only about five feet long. The species can be found across most of the Indo-Pacific. They have a pure white exoskeleton rather than the blue-tinged coloration of their more coastal cousins. Abyssal golisopod are entirely blind. Wimpod are usually seen partially buried in the sediment. Golisopod simply rest fully exposed on the seafloor until food approaches. They rarely interact with submersibles at all, leading to theories that abyssal golisopod are exclusively scavengers that do not bother hunting anything in the water column. This may be a prudent strategy when most of their prospective prey is bigger than them.

Smaller species of land-dwelling isopods can be found on six continents. Golisopod are believed to have originally evolved from a terrestrial Asian species that adapted to scavenging on the seafloor. Eventually some golisopod evolved to live their entire lives on the seafloor, even deeper than nearshore golisopod will go.