Shiksi
Shiksi are a particularly hardy arachnid, indigenous to Vashkah III. Typically 15cm in length, the large species had altered its behavior when Further Foodstuffs introduced expansive croplands across the surface. While the majority had previously taken shelter from the higher temperatures of the day by burrowing into the earth, these arachnids now moved into the much more abundant shelter of the solinum fields. As Ealur and Minmatar slaves tended to the crops they frequently disturbed these arachnids.
Physiology and Behavior
Shiksi are different from other spiders in two distinct ways. The most pronounced is their large chelicerae which not only serve as jaws but are used for stridulation, producing a hissing noise when rubbed together. They also have only four eyes, two of which are larger and centrally located and another smaller pair that are located higher on the sides of their head, for enhanced peripheral vision.
Shiksi are particularly quick and have visibly muscular front legs that are used to propel them forward. Their pedipalps are also pronounced and covered in fine hair. While not physiologically unique, these features make it easy to distinguish them from other spiders.
Shiksi lay their eggs in the soil, burrowing in under whatever shade they can find, and both parents will look over these young until they hatch. The female remains with the eggs while the male will patrol up to 3 meters away from the nest in search of food and any dangers which might threaten his brood.
Shiksi produce a long ragged wound when they bite, due to the strong muscles of their chelicerae, and employ a neurotoxic venom. The extreme fatigue, nausea and muscle paralysis that results can persist for days afterwards.
Impact on Slave Labor
Due to the significant use of slave labor in maintaining and harvesting cops of solinum grain, when large fields started to be grown on the planet shiksi immediately started using the croplands for nesting. As a number of slaves started working in the fields they frequently disturbed these arachnids. Aggressive patrolling males in particular would regularly charge workers and bite, injecting venom that was intended to warn off or immobilize the threat while they protected their nests. The impact on labor on the planet was significant, not only due to the loss of the injured, but those subsequently unwilling to enter the fields. Many slaves were punished for their natural trepidation, especially those working much slower as they moved about carefully, avoiding an encounter with the shiksi.
As grain production was not meeting projected standards, and Further Foodstuffs investments started to look like they would not be paying the required dividends, the corporation moved to eradicate the arachnids from their extensive croplands. They subsequently rushed out a pesticide that was found to be lethal to the spider, but also had major effects the health of the slave population, particularly amongst the Ealur. The detrimental impact of the first pesticide on the workers was even more pronounced than that of the arachnids themselves. While different pesticides have been used over generations to overcome this issue, and as the shiksi developed any resistance, the arachnid has never been successfully eradicated from the solinum fields. A significant number of shiksi have been wiped out, however, and there have been attempts to create protected territories on the surface where the indigenous arachnid can flourish. Only one has been established and representatives of the Ardishapur and Sarum families are extremely resistant to any others being recognized.
Additional Information
The office of Further Foodstuff CEO, Zon Mada, on the second planet of Ardishapur Prime, has a large glass habitat in the foyer. Three shiksi females and two males of intimidating size can be observed by visitors waiting to see the corporation's senior staff.