Tavmarcius (Genus)

Introduction

Common names: Taumarshi, Tama, Turash, Tavarma

Clade: Synapsids
Clade: Cynodonts
Family: Xenenudris

The Taumarshi are a genus of native Magellanian synapsids. They are not mammals, but share several mammalian traits like fur and live birth. They are neither marsupials nor monotremes, but their closest relatives are Triassic cynodonts. 

Taumarshi young are highly underdeveloped, similar to marsupial newborn. Before giving birth, the mother retreats from the open sea to river estuaries and looks for safe places to build a burrow. These burrows or nurseries are half flooded caves or ponds. The young spend around two weeks to a full month in this nursery. The parents (usually both) feed their young crushed and chewed remains of marine invertebrates. Afterwards they venture out into the river systems. After another month, the young are matured enough to live on the coasts and in salt water. There are two species (Biliensis and Occultus) which only live in fresh and brackish water.

As most other non-mammalian Magellanian synapsids lay eggs, live birth seems to be a recent adaption is that might be connected to their aquatic lifestyle. Since Tauwarshi are not mammals, they do not lactate. However they still secrete an oily liquid that insulates their fur. Young are known to lick their parents' fur or rub themselves against it, to spread an oily layer on their own fur, before being fully capable of producing enough of it on their own. 

Taumarshi are expert swimmers, but they do not move well on land at all. They crawl by pulling themselves forward with their front limbs and pushing themselves with their knees on their hind limbs. They sometimes move in an almost snake-like undulating fashion through the mud as well. 

The Taumarshi are highly successful animals and have spread from Magellania to Cipangu after the partial biotic interchange. Currently there are four extant species and at least one extinct species.