Log Mutagen Animal Story Index

Select a story to view it

Story
Subject: Canis familiaris, 35 kg PE012 priming: Yes Compound: PE012 Objective: Establish PE012's phenotypic range for subject species Protocol: 50 mL oral dose, 3 hour observation before dissection Live observation: Dosage without incident, after 7.3 minutes sudden distress with subject scratching their flank furiously, scratching ceases after successfully removing fur from the reachable body surface. Subject keeps vocalizing distress, voice range audibly shifting as the facial structure rearranges itself to make room for 2 large, curved fangs. After a brief period of trashing subject falls prone rolled into a ball and stops vocalizing. IR observation reveals falling core temperatures, equalizing to the ambient temperature 2.1 hours after initial dosing. Presuming subject expiration automatic retrieval drone enters the observation enclosure and approaches the subject's body. IR observation detects a sudden increase in core temperature coinciding with the enclosure's opening, after consulting the Chief Investigator retrieval attempt proceeds. On approach of the retrieval drone subject's body shifts slightly, and at ~1.2 m distance the subject grabs the drone with its elongated tail and proceeds to attack it, successfully piercing its armor plating in multiple spots. Drone is rendered inoperable after a series of targeted strikes against its wheel joints and successfully flipping the drone on its back. Subject termination using standard HCN insufflation, second retrieval attempt uneventful. Dissection findings: Cutis easily removed, subcutis replaced by brittle, sharp scales of keratin. Neurocranium and brain without macroscopic deviation, major restructuring of the snout, the accessory fangs are revealed to be bone spikes growing from the os zygomaticus, connected to swollen salivary glands pocked by local necrotic lesions - samples taken for toxicology. Lungs and heart without macroscopic deviation, liver loaded with 3-5 mm large cysts, intestines and pancreas with greenish discoloration. Superfluous kidneys of variable size (3-18 cm) scattered across the mesenterium secreting a mucous liquid without obvious function.
Subject: Rattus norvegicus domestica, 450 g PE012 priming: Yes Compound: PE027 Objective: Establish PE027's phenotypic range for subject species, evaluate cost/benefit of subjects trained for voluntary self-dosage Protocol: Enclosure with a water pool, voluntary dosage from food dispenser Live observation: Trained subject, first dosage after 5 minutes. After an initial calm period subject rubs off their fur on the enclosure's wall, revealing metallic scales. Three dosages in short succession, after which subject falls over. Subject is placed in the water by robotic arm, where it began swimming. Dissection findings: phenotypic changes consistent with PE027's usual profile - in this case the gills replaced the upper lobes of the subject's lungs, opening to the outside over the scapula. Digestive track shortened considerably, liver atrophic, teeth replaced by needles reminiscent of an anglerfish. Blue fluorescent organ between the hemispheres.
Subject: Ergonomic-stage nest of Dolichovespula maculata, queenright PE012 priming: No, long-term study Compound: PE031 Objective: Observe the effects of a phenotypically-similar mutagen on eusocial insects Protocol: Nest outfitted with multiple fiberoptic cameras for safe observation, transplanted to a large enclosure, and provided with PE031-laced nutrient paste Live observation: Considerable worker loss in the first week, remaining workforce refrains from recycling the corpses. Dissection of recovered worker remains show no phenotypical changes. Queen grows in size and sprouts an ancillary pair of wings on its abdomen, shows increased aggression towards workers and larvae hatched prior to PE031 exposure. Rapid increase in both nutrient paste and nesting material consumption coinciding with the emergence of the first post-exposure workers. Nest is expanded in all directions, partly leaving cells exposed during the restructuring. First sighting of potentially emergent queens on day 51 as three examples make a concerted effort to remove the last uncovered fiberoptic camera from the nest. After consulting Administration test proceeds without direct in-nest observation up to day 100, worker phenotypes and behavior show a wide range of variation during this time (including body length, wing morphology and number, stinger size, leg number and placement, mandible configuration etc.). On day 100 attempted termination of the nest using HCN, this causes obvious disruption but shows no lethality even at 5,0% v/v. To prevent an explosion hazard, the emergency alternative of flushing the enclosure with CO is chosen, leading to cessation of external activity after 20 minutes. Uneventful retrieval of nest and specimens for dissection after an additional safety margin of 2 hours. Dissection findings: The nest's superstructure resembles those of the wild-type nests, aside from notably larger cells (up to 33 cm depth) and the addition of four connected sub-nests budding off the main body. Caste identification proves to be a challenge given the highly variable morphology, after thorough dissection 6 queens (including the foundress), 814 workers, and 27 drones are found - despite the experiment's duration the nest hasn't made the switch to drone/queen production. The founding queen mutated considerably since the last observation, sporting a bifurcated abdomen with two ancillary pairs of wings and three asymmetrically-placed stingers each…
Subject: Danio rerio Compound: PE065 Objective: Establish PE065's phenotypic range using a well-understood and nonthreatening subject Protocol: Full-sized aquatic enclosure with reinforced glass observation ports and a small terrestrial area, 3 dosages of nutrient pellets containing test compound. Given the experiences gathered in previous tests involving PE065 a large surplus of nutrient pellets is kept in a fast-release container above the water to provide a distraction should premature termination become necessary. Live observation: First dosage reluctantly consumed by subject after 6 hours of fasting, no change observed until 25 minutes post-dosage when activity levels suddenly increased and subject shows food-seeking behavior. Second and third dosages are provided along with 15 kg of untampered nutrient pellets, subject consumes the entire amount within 15 minutes while growing in size considerably. Subject stops feeding and enters a low-activity state floating vertically, and begins exuding a faint violet light. Appearance of the first major phenotypic deviation at 78 minutes after first dosage as two asymmetric tentacles emerge from the gills and begin growing towards the water surface, followed shortly by two pairs of articulated legs penetrating the scales proximal from the tail. 92 minutes after first dosage the tentacles breach the water surface and their tips open up to reveal a matrix of exposed blood vessels held up by a cartilaginous matrix. After the tentacles cease their adjustments subject begins moving towards the terrestrial area of the enclosure…

Return to Categories Index