Blacksalamanders (Chimaeria primigenius) are a species of Chimera.
.anatomy
Blacksalamanders have a reptilian body plan, reaching ~20 cm in length. They have pitch black skin, and are are hexapods. They have no Phlogiston.
.behaviour
Blacksalamanders are nocturnal, and spend the day in damp, dark places.
They are the progenitor species of all Chimeras, the template which ████ and ████ grafted the Phlogiston soul into, allowing them to evolve and diversify into the other Chimera species.
.abilities
Blacksalamanders can regenerate to an absurd degree. As long as the brainstem is at least 5% operational, Blacksalamanders are capable of fully regenerating their bodies, even if damage is inflicted to the heart or lungs, switching to an open, mechanically driven circulatory system and external digestion for that duration.
If a body part sustains more damage than others consecutively, it will adapt during regeneration to resist that type of damage, and that information can be passed on to their offspring, although it will slowly fade unless actively used.
.reproduction
Blacksalamanders reproduce sexually. They display no sexual dimorphism. During mating season, they will migrate toward nearby bodies of water, where they will lay ~300 eggs. The average Blacksalamander life span is ~10 years.
.diet
Blacksalamanders are carnivores, eating insects and small fish. In some cases, Blacksalamanders will resort to cannibalism, especially toward the young of other Blacksalamanders.