QUOTE (Disgustedorite @ Jun 26 2021, 07:10 AM)

I would like for tummorsuses to be decanonized. I made them during my "this is alpha so I can do whatever I want" phase and they're not only implausible, but intentionally so, and I regret ever submitting them and wish they had been rejected. To take the slot they filled in Generation 161, I submit this descendant of the Tamjack, which was extant at the time: Tambuck (Scandonychotherium albus) Creator: Disgustedorite Ancestor: Tamjack Habitat: Jlindy Tropical Beach, Jlindy Tropical Coast, Dass Temperate Beach, Dass Temperate Coast, BigL Tropical Beach, BigL Tropical Coast Size: 2.5 meters long Support: Endoskeleton (Bone) Diet: Herbivore (Tlukvaequabora, Marbleflora, Snotflora, Carnurtain, Olltooka, Tethered Mine Layer, Double Bubblgea, Harp-Hum, Greater Droopgea, Flashkelps, Pioneer Raftballs, Pinprong, Mainland Fuzzpalm, Obsidibend, Carnosprawl) Respiration: Active (Lungs) Thermoregulation: Endotherm (Fur) Reproduction: Sexual (Male and Female, Placental, Milk) The tambuck split from its ancestor, the tamjack, when some floating nests drifted further east into the waters surrounding the supercontinent. Unlike the tamjack, the tambuck does not drift far out to sea, instead living among tlukvaequabora mangrove-reefs which encircle Dixon. It is a somewhat better swimmer than its ancestor; its spikes are now mobile and can be pulled flat against its body as to not interfere with swimming. It is also a decent climber, with each of its three-toed feet bearing a semi-retractable, semi-opposable thumb, which allows it to wander among tlukvaequabora roots and logs that rise above the water's surface. As a tamjack, the tambuck is somewhat intelligent and has advanced instinctive nest-building capabilities. The tambuck is named for its enlarged incisors, which it uses to bite through flora. They do not grow continuously, unlike a rodent's teeth, so their large size ensures that they last at least as long as the tambuck's natural lifespan. It primarily feeds on aquatic flora, but it may venture onto the beach to consume flora found there as well. Tambucks without nests will also travel to beaches in search of good wood for nest construction. Tambucks are naturally monogamous and generally live as small family groups consisting of a mated pair with young, though they are not territorial and will interact amicably with neighboring families. Though the tambuck still constructs radial basket-like boat-nests, these are mostly immobile and set among the mangroves where they will not drift away. Instead of dispersal, the floating nest now serves a new purpose--protection of its young. The pouch was a vestige of their ancestry because tambucks are placental and their young outgrow it quickly, and it created an unnecessary limitation on their ability to feed and doomed a mother to either starvation or drowning her babies if her mate were to die. So, the tambuck completely forgoes the pouch and can leave its offspring behind in the nest while foraging for food. As the nest is floating, it isn't in constant contact with any surface from which parasites or small predators might crawl on board. The sun beating down onto the nest keeps it warm enough that the young babies won't be chilled to death before their mother returns and they can nurse. The pouch is not completely lost, but now serves to streamline a mother tambuck's underbelly by containing her teats, somewhat like a built-in bra. The pouch and enlarged mammary glands are only present during late pregnancy and while nursing, as is the case in many Terran mammals. The tambuck reproduces more often than its ancestor, giving birth to 2-4 babies at a time every 1-2 years. Tambucks gestate for 6 months, take 3 years to reach full size, and, barring early death by disease or predation, they can live for up to 30 years.

Approved.

QUOTE (Nergali @ Jun 27 2021, 01:04 AM)

I believe coolsteph has a point about the bejeweled emperor scylarian, so I propose this rewrite: "One of the larger splits off the rosy scylarian, the bejeweled emperor scylarian has evolved a more robust, powerful form, as well as a prominent tailfin and larger flippers. A much more capable swimmer than any scylarian that has come before it, they effortlessly cruse through the water column, only occasionally slowing down in order to bask near the surface. While one might view this as them being slow swimmers, the truth is in fact the opposite, as they can produce enough power and speed through movement of their tailfins in order to breach the water's surface and rise several feet into the air. The truth behind their periods of near-stillness is that it attracts various smaller sea life to them that will gladly clean their bodies of external parasites.  These scylarian mate for life, forming pairs that will stick together for their entire lives, which can be as long as twenty years. Working together, they cooperate to hunt down various smaller prey species, often forcing them into bait balls before slamming into them with mouths agape in order to devour as many as they can, as well as potentially stun others for later consumption once the prey inevitably disperse. Young - often born in groups of seven or eight - are showed no parental care, and will often shelter themselves beneath the tangled roots of islandballs similar floating structures out in the ocean. Should they survive their youths, they will reach their full size with three years and attain sexual maturity within another. Once they do so, they will often seek out a mate with which to spend the rest of their lives with. Should either mate die off, though, such as to predation, they will not seek out another. Their name arises from their bones, which, upon the removal of the surrounding flesh, appear to be nearly an iridescent shade of green in color. At a glance, one would not be faulted for thinking that it was the bones themselves that have taken up this near-luminescent, vibrant coloration, but this is not what is going on here. In actuality, this emerald-like hue is due to the presence of a pigment known as biliverdin that, like in the gar and such of Earth, saturates the structural protein known as collagen that encompasses the bones, particularly in the regions of the spin. This overly pigment-rich protein is the true source of the coloration, for without it, the bones of the bejeweled emperor scylarian would be no different from those of any of its kin." - - - I like the design of the tambuck, and I'm getting some mink/otter vibes from its appearance.

Approved

Changes in behavior are good. Approved

Since the new amendment passed I'll approve this

Lignified Stem works well

Lovely

I believe this violates the Type rule, as it's in Marine, Temperate, and Tropical

Can we reference Winnie the Pooh? Is it public domain?

Still a WIP?

Any further thoughts about would this be a Low Competition exception?

I like the convergent cicada traits of our two species

Done

QUOTE (OviraptorFan @ Jul 18 2021, 09:38 PM)

QUOTE (MNIDJM @ Jul 18 2021, 03:23 PM) further WIP on the image Does it have any bits of vegetation growing on the center of it?

It's the tiny bits of blue and purple. The largest species here is the Boomsticks, which are only about 5 ft tall and not too densely populated, so from high up it shouldn't be too visible.

further WIP on the image

Yeah that last bit is. Elaborate on this being very rare, and how they would have instincts to make tools that would replace body parts.

The behavioral limitations on their sophont adjacent behaviors are good. Though I'm a bit unsure on how this would work:

QUOTE

rarely a harem female will escape by chewing through the ropes binding her and manage to survive out in the wilderness alone, using crafted tools to replace her lost tail and teeth.

Oh right, mixed them up with scuttlecrabs.

QUOTE

QUOTE Exception?: Maybe, need to determine if it meets qualifications. What does this mean?

Qualifications for a low competition exception so it can grow 4x

QUOTE

QUOTE Capitalized correctly?: No Are Sagan 4 common names not proper nouns? Is the convention of capitalizing every term in the itemized descriptors (like "Live Birth, Two Genders") ending?

It’s the faunal names that are not proper nouns. “ Thrashing Seaswimmer” should be “thrashing seaswimmer”

Approval Checklist:
Art:
Art Present?: Y
Art clear?: Y
Gen number?:Y
All limbs shown?:Y
Reasonably Comparable to Ancestor?: Y
Realistic additions?: Y

Name:
Binomial Taxonomic Name?: Y
Creator?: Y

Ancestor:
Listed?: Y
What changes?:

• External?: Fully aquatic, fusiform bodyplan, caudal fin shape, dorsal ridges, reduced nostrils and rear eyes
• Internal?: Live birth in water,
• Behavioral/Mental?: Rests half brain, thrashing hunting behavior

Are Changes Realistic?: Y
New Genus Needed?: Y; Already Done

Habitat:
Type?: 3/2 (Marine, Polar, Temperate)
Flavor?: 1/3
Connected?: Y
Wildcard?: N/A

Size:
Same as Ancestor?: N
Within range?: Y (85 cm -> 340 cm)
Exception?: Maybe, need to determine if it meets qualifications.

Support:
Same as Ancestor?: Y
Reasonable changes (if any)?: N/A
Other?: N/A

Diet:
Same as Ancestor?: Y
Transition Rule?: N/A
Reasonable changes (if any)?: N/A

Respiration:
Same as Ancestor?: Y
Does It Fit Habitat?: Y
Reasonable changes (if any)?: N/A
Other?: N/A

Thermoregulation:
Same as Ancestor?: Y
Does It Fit Habitat?: Y
Reasonable changes (if any)?: N/A
Other?: N/A

Reproduction:
Same as Ancestor?: Y
Does It Fit Habitat?: Y
Reasonable changes (if any)?: Y
Other?: Live birth in water now

Description:
Length?: Good
Capitalized correctly?: No
Replace/Split from ancestor?: Y
Other?: N/A

Status: Pending(Too many types, does it fully qualify for Low Competition exception?)

This one is also unfortunately a bit light on description, as there's not too much to work off.

Sunleechers (Solisanguis spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: Sunleecher (Solisanguis symbiosis)
Habitat: Global (Marine)
Size: 200 um wide individuals
Support: Cell Wall
Diet: Photosynthesis, Hematophagy ([[Sagavermes]] Blood)
Respiration:
Thermoregulation: Exothermic
Reproduction: Binary Fission

The '''sunleechers''' are a diverse group of photosynthetic microbes, that will latch on to the respiratory systems of various [[sagavermes]] species to leech off the blood to gain nutrients. When in the open water, they will sustain themselves on photosynthesis alone. This changes when they come in contact with the respiratory systems of [[sagavermes]]. They float passively, and are unable to dected hosts, relying on chance alone to come into contact with hosts. Once they are inhaled by a sagavermes, such as a [[beakworm|gilltail]], [[scuttlecrabs]], [[|sauceback|saucebacks]] among others, they will attach themselves to the gills or breathing apparatuses with nematocysts on the sides of their cell walls. From there they will grow into thick mats that eventually cover the lining of the gills or breathing apparatuses entirely. To prevent them from immediately killing the host, the sunleechers will provide the infected tissue with oxygen that they produce as a by-product of their photosynthesis. This can be less effective depending on the area of the body infected or the depth of water that the host is living in. Eventually these infections favor towards reaching an equilibrium with there hosts, not growing so large as to kill the host, but various environmental or quirks of mutation can sometimes cause strains of these organisms to become more virulent, resulting in some species developing deadlier behaviors.

This genus is rather diverse, with hundreds of species ranging from those highly specialized to a specific host species, or more generalized strains. They can be found in all waters inhabited by sagavermes that also have access to sunlight, with the deepest depth available to the being the twilight zones of the oceans. They are highly prolific, and make up up to 0.5% of all phytoplanktiods, spread throughout the oceans and river systems thanks to fauna such as the [[Common Gilltails|commongilltails]], [[Larvaback|larvabacks]], and [[frabukis]] among others.

===Integrated Species===
* [[Sunleecher]]

Yeah it's a bit rough because there's not too much to work with off the ancestor, description-wise. I'll elaborate something

Common Gilltails (Branchioura spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: Gilltail (Branchioura silverus)
Habitat: Global (Marine)
Size:10 - 20 cm Long
Support: ?
Diet: Planktivore (0.05-20 millimeters), Omnivore (Swarmerweed, Scuttlers, Chainswarmers, Minifee, Miniwhorls, Miniswarmers, Mistswarmers, Krillpedes, Microswarmers, Whip Swarmers, Swarmerkings, Flovars, Floatfilms)
Respiration: Semi-Active (Gill System)
Thermoregulation: Ectothermic
Reproduction: Sexual, Two Genders, Eggs into Ice, Rocks, or Sand

The [[gilltail|gilltails]] are an ancient lineage,first arising from the [[silverling|silverlings]] in the marine waters of Sagan 4 over 125 million years ago. Since that time, various populations of gilltails split into numerous species and genuses, filling various niches from tiny freshwater bottom-feeders, to titanic baleen hunter, from the deepest depth, to the skies. However, not all populations sought out a new way of life. These species are all a member of a lineage known as '''common gilltails''', a basal forme genus that leaned towards maintaining the same general body plan and niche as a successful method of survival. This group includes the now superseded ancestral gilltail, which has branched into three dozen divergent, yet closely related, species. These species are defined mainly by the habitat where they breed, as instinct drives them to return to the habitat in which they were born, isolating them from other common gilltail populations and allowing drift.

Every species in the genus is migratory, typically entering equatorial waters during the winter before returning to the polar waters during summer months to breed. They live in large shoals, relying on their reflective counter-coloration to help break up their outlines and sheer numbers to protect them from predation. They hunt many sagani planktoids, such as the various swarmers, krillpedes, non-poisonous species of minifee among others. When in the polar regions the microbes bloom and the small filter feeders populations get huge for them to eat. They themselves are common prey of various organisms, acting as an abundant food source in the summer months for higher trophic level species.

===Integrated Species===
* [[Gilltail]]

QUOTE (CosmoRomanticist @ Jul 9 2021, 06:11 PM)

I should say that I disagree with the entire concept of "decanonization", and, in general, the shift to a degree of rigorousness of standards in Alpha that to me seems clearly unsustainable and produces more problems than it solves. I think that "implausibility" is too ingrained in the structure of Alpha's timeline to be completely removed without changing the very basic construction of the entire affair -- massive retcons and deletions, a sort of revisionist mindset that has the potential to turn Alpha into a totalitarian web of retroactive micromanaging to conform to a certain standard of realism (IMHO, of course) is clearly unsustainable (as in, "swimming against the current") and goes against the spirit of the projec. To be clear, I am not against minor retcons that merely make things a bit more realistic or less transparently Ridiculous (looking at you [heh], tree-worm with eyes for berries), such as the arrowhead ones. But outright removing an entire genus and replacing it (that is to say, its space in the compendium, not its actual role) with a new, totally nonequivalent and frankly much less interesting species? That's different game in full. I think that, in the broad sense, the MO of the project going forward should be to prevent future egregious implausibilities when possible, and to just roll with the ones that already exist, much like Dorite did with the tummorsuses. In my opinion, this would lead to far more interesting, creative outcomes than just censoring and memory-holing anything that doesn't hold to the new quality standards.

First point, the only people allowed to decanonize a species is the original artist. I have allowed both of these because they are replacing species both Nergali and Disgustedorite made. Not even I am allowed to remove a species without the expressed permission of the original artist, which is why we still have the nuclear fusion microbes.

Second, the reason this latest one is being decanonized is because it's A.) recent enough that it is not incorporated into any other species page or to have descendants, B.) The original artist requested it be removed, and C.) it had irreconcilable problem with the species. This isn't exactly a willy-nilly replacement, its a replacement of a genus that the original creator doesn't stand by, and I'm not going to force them to have to live with the submission. Now if someone had made a descendant of the tummorsuses that incorporated the implausibilities, Dorite would be SOL here, as it'll be too late to remove

I have no objections to the concept, and it looks like every checkbox is met for approval, except I think this is probably new genus