Core Rules
- You many choose any creature to work on and post as many as you want.
- You many only evolve from a previous generation or before. (Not the same generation).
- Each generation has 160 species.
- There is NO time limit, so each generation is done when it reaches 160 species.
- Each week is done when it reaches 5 generations no matter if it takes 5 days or 5 months.
- At the end of each week, MNIDJM will see what species are still alive and what are dead. Then will then post a new ecosystem list of where each species lives and maybe update the map.
- The cladogram (family tree) will be updated when Hydro feels like updating it.
- Please post your organisms in the Organism Submission subforum. Once there, create a new thread just for your organism stating its name, week number, and generation number within the thread title. If you are not currently a part of the Sagan 4 team, please see the How to Join the Sagan 4 Team thread.
- a person may only have a limit of 6 active submissions allowed at a time. An active submission is defined as a submission that has yet to have a checklist done and seconded by an Approved Submitter.
- Each species must have the following information filled out so it may be copied and pasted into the Sagan 4 Wiki:
(IMAGE - Must include generation number)
Common Name (Genus species)
Creator: [ that would be you ]
Ancestor: [ see ancestor ]
Habitat: [ see ecosystem list ]
Size: # in metric long/tall/wide/wingspan (Note: Typically you would choose the dimension (long/tall/wide/wingspan)that is largest. Use the measurement that is the average size of your organism.If your organism is under 1 cm, just put "Microscopic.")
Support: [ see ancestor ]
Diet: [ see other species ]
Respiration: [ see ancestor ]
Thermoregulation: [ see ancestor ]
Reproduction: [ see ancestor ]
[ Any other information not stated above is put here in the description]
Descriptions Rules
An organism's description must be a standalone read. Writing 'The organism is mostly the same as it's ancestor but has a red crest and now lives on the beach.' is not acceptable, you should briefly summarize how exactly it is the same/similar to its ancestor. We do not expect you to write about every little detail ever prescribed to that lineage, that will be covered in the Taxonomy section, but we do expect you to talk about what your organism's biology and psychology and behaviors are like. Please also keep the descriptions above 50 words, so to ensure that enough is described for other members to work off.
- You many choose any creature to work on and post as many as you want.
- You many only evolve from a previous generation or before. (Not the same generation).
- Each generation has 160 species.
- There is NO time limit, so each generation is done when it reaches 160 species.
- Each week is done when it reaches 5 generations no matter if it takes 5 days or 5 months.
- At the end of each week, MNIDJM will see what species are still alive and what are dead. Then will then post a new ecosystem list of where each species lives and maybe update the map.
- The cladogram (family tree) will be updated when Hydro feels like updating it.
- Please post your organisms in the Organism Submission subforum. Once there, create a new thread just for your organism stating its name, week number, and generation number within the thread title. If you are not currently a part of the Sagan 4 team, please see the How to Join the Sagan 4 Team thread.
- a person may only have a limit of 6 active submissions allowed at a time. An active submission is defined as a submission that has yet to have a checklist done and seconded by an Approved Submitter.
- Each species must have the following information filled out so it may be copied and pasted into the Sagan 4 Wiki:
(IMAGE - Must include generation number)
Common Name (Genus species)
Creator: [ that would be you ]
Ancestor: [ see ancestor ]
Habitat: [ see ecosystem list ]
Size: # in metric long/tall/wide/wingspan (Note: Typically you would choose the dimension (long/tall/wide/wingspan)that is largest. Use the measurement that is the average size of your organism.
Support: [ see ancestor ]
Diet: [ see other species ]
Respiration: [ see ancestor ]
Thermoregulation: [ see ancestor ]
Reproduction: [ see ancestor ]
[ Any other information not stated above is put here in the description]
Descriptions Rules
An organism's description must be a standalone read. Writing 'The organism is mostly the same as it's ancestor but has a red crest and now lives on the beach.' is not acceptable, you should briefly summarize how exactly it is the same/similar to its ancestor. We do not expect you to write about every little detail ever prescribed to that lineage, that will be covered in the Taxonomy section, but we do expect you to talk about what your organism's biology and psychology and behaviors are like. Please also keep the descriptions above 50 words, so to ensure that enough is described for other members to work off.
Sagan 4 Wiki Rules
o Do not submit species to Sagan 4 wiki without permission.
o You may edit your own personal page associated with your user name however you want.
o Spelling errors can be fixed by anyone.
o If there is a problem on wiki such as a species that you think should be extinct or alive please PM Mnidjm. Do not fix it without consulting Mnidjm 1st.
o New taxonomy names can only be created by "Taxonomy Master" and members they has approved. However if you see established taxonomy that is unfilled in you can help fill it in with the correct taxonomy information.
o No one except Mnidjm, Hydro, or Alpha Mods may edit Ecosystem Pages!
o Do not submit species to Sagan 4 wiki without permission.
o You may edit your own personal page associated with your user name however you want.
o Spelling errors can be fixed by anyone.
o If there is a problem on wiki such as a species that you think should be extinct or alive please PM Mnidjm. Do not fix it without consulting Mnidjm 1st.
o New taxonomy names can only be created by "Taxonomy Master" and members they has approved. However if you see established taxonomy that is unfilled in you can help fill it in with the correct taxonomy information.
o No one except Mnidjm, Hydro, or Alpha Mods may edit Ecosystem Pages!
Locomotion Rule
Species locomotion must use transition species. For example ...
Sea to Land
Aquatic -> Amphibious (Like Mudskippers) -> Terrestrial
Land to Sea
Terrestrial -> Amphibious (Like Otters) -> Aquatic
Sea to Air
Aquatic -> Gliding (Like Flying Fish) -> Flight
Air to Sea
Flight -> Semi-Aquatic (Like Ducks) -> Aquatic
Land to Air
Terrestrial -> Gliding (Like Flying Squirrels) -> Flight
Air to Land
Flight -> Poor Flight (Like Chickens) -> Terrestrial
Species locomotion must use transition species. For example ...
Sea to Land
Aquatic -> Amphibious (Like Mudskippers) -> Terrestrial
Land to Sea
Terrestrial -> Amphibious (Like Otters) -> Aquatic
Sea to Air
Aquatic -> Gliding (Like Flying Fish) -> Flight
Air to Sea
Flight -> Semi-Aquatic (Like Ducks) -> Aquatic
Land to Air
Terrestrial -> Gliding (Like Flying Squirrels) -> Flight
Air to Land
Flight -> Poor Flight (Like Chickens) -> Terrestrial
Evolutionary Principles
- Foster's Rule (island rule) - members of a species get smaller or bigger depending on the resources available in the environment
- Insular Dwarfism (island dwarfism) - the process and condition of the reduction in size of large animals - almost always mammals - when their gene pool is limited to a very small environment. Which include islands, island beaches and shallows [10x normal]
- Island Gigantism - biological phenomenon where the size of animals isolated on an Island, Island Beach or Shallows increases dramatically over generations [10x normal]
- Bergmann's Rule - animals of higher latitudes are generally larger than species of lower latitudes.
- Gloger's Rule - more heavily pigmented forms of endotherms tend to be found near the equator
- Allen's Rule - endotherms from colder climates usually have shorter limbs (or appendages) than the equivalent fauna from warmer climates
- Abyssal Gigantism (deep-sea gigantism) - deep-sea invertebrates tend to be larger than their shallow water counterparts. Which include Sea Floor and Abyss Zone. [10x normal]
- Convergent Evolution - the process by which unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to living in similar ecological niches
Evolutionary Guidelines
- When fewer predators are present, brighter coloration can evolve.
- Carnivores typically possess a greater intelligence compared to their prey.
- Organisms that live in water tend to be much larger compared to those that live on land.
- The greater the sexual dimorphism, the better the chance a species will be polygamous.
- Foster's Rule (island rule) - members of a species get smaller or bigger depending on the resources available in the environment
- Insular Dwarfism (island dwarfism) - the process and condition of the reduction in size of large animals - almost always mammals - when their gene pool is limited to a very small environment. Which include islands, island beaches and shallows [10x normal]
- Island Gigantism - biological phenomenon where the size of animals isolated on an Island, Island Beach or Shallows increases dramatically over generations [10x normal]
- Bergmann's Rule - animals of higher latitudes are generally larger than species of lower latitudes.
- Gloger's Rule - more heavily pigmented forms of endotherms tend to be found near the equator
- Allen's Rule - endotherms from colder climates usually have shorter limbs (or appendages) than the equivalent fauna from warmer climates
- Abyssal Gigantism (deep-sea gigantism) - deep-sea invertebrates tend to be larger than their shallow water counterparts. Which include Sea Floor and Abyss Zone. [10x normal]
- Convergent Evolution - the process by which unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to living in similar ecological niches
Evolutionary Guidelines
- When fewer predators are present, brighter coloration can evolve.
- Carnivores typically possess a greater intelligence compared to their prey.
- Organisms that live in water tend to be much larger compared to those that live on land.
- The greater the sexual dimorphism, the better the chance a species will be polygamous.
Art Rules
Editor Rules
You may not use any program that has pre-made parts such as Spore, Creature Editor 3.0, Bamzooki, Thrive, or any other such program. Whether traditionally or digitally drawn or sculpted, the artwork must be made from scratch without any pre-made parts. This rule does not apply to digital brushes in your art software of choice; these may be used freely.
Same Picture Rule
All new submissions must have new drawings. You cannot edit other people's drawings, nor your own. You must re-draw it from scratch. This also applies to symbiotic species; even if they are generally found together, they need separate images, such as one up close or in its free-living form. For example, although an entire Fur Mycostrum individual is visible on the back of the Fur Knightworm, the Fur Mycostrum still has a separate image showing it in its free-living form.
Fuzzy Image Rule
All pictures need to be clean and crisp. We must be able to evolve from the picture and know where all of its parts are. If someone cannot tell what you drew, then you need to re-draw it! This applies to external anatomy as well. If the appearance is too confusing, you may be asked to make additional diagrams or supply more detail to the description.
Background Rule
Backgrounds must be either blank or accurate to the biome they are in. They are not to distract from the species itself, and they must be of similar quality to the species itself. The perspective and shading should match the shading and perspective of the species in the image. If the background does not follow this guideline, you will be asked to redo it or make it blank.
Editor Rules
You may not use any program that has pre-made parts such as Spore, Creature Editor 3.0, Bamzooki, Thrive, or any other such program. Whether traditionally or digitally drawn or sculpted, the artwork must be made from scratch without any pre-made parts. This rule does not apply to digital brushes in your art software of choice; these may be used freely.
Same Picture Rule
All new submissions must have new drawings. You cannot edit other people's drawings, nor your own. You must re-draw it from scratch. This also applies to symbiotic species; even if they are generally found together, they need separate images, such as one up close or in its free-living form. For example, although an entire Fur Mycostrum individual is visible on the back of the Fur Knightworm, the Fur Mycostrum still has a separate image showing it in its free-living form.
Fuzzy Image Rule
All pictures need to be clean and crisp. We must be able to evolve from the picture and know where all of its parts are. If someone cannot tell what you drew, then you need to re-draw it! This applies to external anatomy as well. If the appearance is too confusing, you may be asked to make additional diagrams or supply more detail to the description.
Background Rule
Backgrounds must be either blank or accurate to the biome they are in. They are not to distract from the species itself, and they must be of similar quality to the species itself. The perspective and shading should match the shading and perspective of the species in the image. If the background does not follow this guideline, you will be asked to redo it or make it blank.
Species Rules
Living Fossil
Protohydroia Octherma can be split from but not replaced. This rule is now defunct
Sub-Species Rule
For the purpose of this game there shall be no non-aesthetic physical differences in sub-species. However, they may be described in terms of trends across their range (ie. being redder in the parts of its range that have redder soil, or having longer fur where it's colder). Individual subspecies may not be given specific restricted ranges.
Microbe Hybrids
Only microbes can becomes hybrid with non-related species.
Macro Hybrids
Closely related macro species can become hybrid.
Example #1
Direct Ancestor with decedent.
Example #2
2 Decedents with the same direct ancestor.
Living Fossil
Sub-Species Rule
For the purpose of this game there shall be no non-aesthetic physical differences in sub-species. However, they may be described in terms of trends across their range (ie. being redder in the parts of its range that have redder soil, or having longer fur where it's colder). Individual subspecies may not be given specific restricted ranges.
Microbe Hybrids
Only microbes can becomes hybrid with non-related species.
Macro Hybrids
Closely related macro species can become hybrid.
Example #1
Direct Ancestor with decedent.
Example #2
2 Decedents with the same direct ancestor.
Size Rules
General
In most circumstances, most organisms may grow 2x or shrink 0.5x the size of their ancestor, while photosynthetic flora (sessile adult stages in the case of planimals) may grow 4x or 0.25x their ancestor's size.
Low Competition
When extraordinarily justified, such as by lacking competition in a give size range for a particular niche, fauna may also grow 4x or shrink 0.25x, and photosynthetic flora may grow up to 10x.
Ocean Scaling
Oceanic species up to 10 cm may grow up to 4x.
Island Dwarfism/Gigantism
Island-dwelling species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena. Photosynthetic flora on an island may grow up to 10x.
Abyssal Gigantism
Abyssal species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena.
Post-Extinction Gigantism
In the first generation following a mass extinction event which kills off megafauna, species which would not be able to otherwise may grow up to 4x the size of their ancestor to reflect real-world phenomena.
Micro to Macro Rule (Obsolete from the "Genus System Rule")
You can only increase to 10x the ancestors size no matter what biome for microbes. Thus it will take at least 3 decedents from protosagania for you to reach 1 cm or Macro size.
Protosagania = 10 micrometers (Micro)
Decedent 1 = 100 micrometers (Micro)
Decedent 2 = 1000 micrometers / 1 millimeter (Micro)
Decedent 3 = 10 millimeters / 1 centimeter (Macro)
Treeline Rule
Alpine, Tundra, High Desert, Polar Beach, Polar Coast, Polar River, Polar Lake, Bog biomes cannot have photosythetic flora larger than 1 meter.
Elevation
+10 km = Mount Stratohorn
+9 km =
+8 km =
+7 km =
+6 km =
+5 km = Alpine (Treeline)
+4 km = Boreal
+3 km = Rocky
+2 km = High Deserts and High Grasslands
+1 km Most Biomes
0 km = Beach
-200 m = Coasts, Bays, Seas, Shallows and Sunlight Zone
-1 km = Twilight Floor
-2 km =
-3 km =
-4 km =
-5 km = Abyss Floor and Cold Seep
-6 km =
-7 km =
-8 km =
-9 km =
-10 km = Geothermal Vents
General
In most circumstances, most organisms may grow 2x or shrink 0.5x the size of their ancestor, while photosynthetic flora (sessile adult stages in the case of planimals) may grow 4x or 0.25x their ancestor's size.
Low Competition
When extraordinarily justified, such as by lacking competition in a give size range for a particular niche, fauna may also grow 4x or shrink 0.25x, and photosynthetic flora may grow up to 10x.
Ocean Scaling
Oceanic species up to 10 cm may grow up to 4x.
Island Dwarfism/Gigantism
Island-dwelling species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena. Photosynthetic flora on an island may grow up to 10x.
Abyssal Gigantism
Abyssal species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena.
Post-Extinction Gigantism
In the first generation following a mass extinction event which kills off megafauna, species which would not be able to otherwise may grow up to 4x the size of their ancestor to reflect real-world phenomena.
Micro to Macro Rule (Obsolete from the "Genus System Rule")
Protosagania = 10 micrometers (Micro)
Decedent 1 = 100 micrometers (Micro)
Decedent 2 = 1000 micrometers / 1 millimeter (Micro)
Decedent 3 = 10 millimeters / 1 centimeter (Macro)
Treeline Rule
Alpine, Tundra, High Desert, Polar Beach, Polar Coast, Polar River, Polar Lake, Bog biomes cannot have photosythetic flora larger than 1 meter.
Elevation
+10 km = Mount Stratohorn
+9 km =
+8 km =
+7 km =
+6 km =
+5 km = Alpine (Treeline)
+4 km = Boreal
+3 km = Rocky
+2 km = High Deserts and High Grasslands
+1 km Most Biomes
0 km = Beach
-200 m = Coasts, Bays, Seas, Shallows and Sunlight Zone
-1 km = Twilight Floor
-2 km =
-3 km =
-4 km =
-5 km = Abyss Floor and Cold Seep
-6 km =
-7 km =
-8 km =
-9 km =
-10 km = Geothermal Vents
Player Behavior Rules
Negative Comment Rule
Anyone who posts something negative gets banned for a day.
Approval Rule
All submissions need 3 other people to say "Approved" and/or approval by Hydro before its accepted.
"But They Did It" Rule
Mistakes are made and things are missed, but that's life. We want to make the project better and not repeat the mistakes of the past. If a species needs to be redrawn or a "missing link" need to be made do not argue, just do it. Don't try to argue by saying "But They Did it!".
"Move On" Rule
If a species is approved or "graveyarded" please just "move on". Do not argue about it or try to repost it again without changes if it has been graveyarded. The only exception is if something is graveyarded due to inactivity. In which case I will post in the thread that it can be reposted when they are active again.
Negative Comment Rule
Anyone who posts something negative gets banned for a day.
Approval Rule
All submissions need 3 other people to say "Approved" and/or approval by Hydro before its accepted.
"But They Did It" Rule
Mistakes are made and things are missed, but that's life. We want to make the project better and not repeat the mistakes of the past. If a species needs to be redrawn or a "missing link" need to be made do not argue, just do it. Don't try to argue by saying "But They Did it!".
"Move On" Rule
If a species is approved or "graveyarded" please just "move on". Do not argue about it or try to repost it again without changes if it has been graveyarded. The only exception is if something is graveyarded due to inactivity. In which case I will post in the thread that it can be reposted when they are active again.
Biome Rules
Water Table Rules
- Water Tables can connect to any water source on a continent. Ocean species can enter the water table thru sea caves
Treeline Rules
- Barring rare exceptions, no macro flora will be allowed in ice dominated biomes. Microbes and Macro Fauna on the other hand can live there as long as they have a source of food. Such as how polar bears eat the seals and whales under the ice. The biomes that this applies to are; Glaciers, Peaks, Glacial Lakes, Glacial Rivers and Ice Sheets.
- Barring Black and Glass flora, no macro flora large than 1 meter will be allowed in the terrestrial polar biome type. The biomes that this applies to are; Glacial Beach, Polar Beach, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Riparian, Moor, Polar Palus, Frostwood, Polar Scrub, Mamut, Barrens
Archipelago Rules
- Species in the archipelagos will have to have some means of island hopping, so they are restricted to either Archipelago+Beach+Coast or Archipelago+Atmosphere
Mangal Rules
- Mangal are assumed to be separate from beaches unless the species that form the mangal breach intertidal zones
- For flavors, if the submission is coastal+mangal, the mangal is to be considered a Sunlight Zone Flavor, however, if the submission excludes the coasts it is to be treated as a separate Mangal Flavor
Wildcard Rule
- In real life, there are a few animals that break Sagan 4's habitat conventions due to high adaptability, such as the red fox and the mountain lion which are present in both polar and tropical environments as well as everything in between. To reflect this phenomenon on Sagan 4, every member is allowed to submit one "wildcard" species with a similarly massive range, as long as it is justified. Once your wildcard species goes extinct or its range has shrunken down to no longer fall under "wildcard", you may submit another one.
Limited Biomes Rule
- A species may have up to 3 Types and up to 3 Flavors.
--Types--
You can choose any combination of 3 except Polar/Supolar <-> Tropical/Subtropical or Mountain <-> Marine. An exception is allowed for species in the Sunlight Zone, they are allowed to also be in two Polar/Temperate/Tropical Coasts.
Marine
Vents, Cold Seep, Ocean (Trench Zone), Ocean (Trench Floor), Ocean (Trench Slope), Ocean (Abyss Zone), Ocean (Abyss Floor), Ocean (Abyss Slope), Ocean (Midnight Zone), Ocean (Midnight Floor), Ocean (Midnight Slope), Ocean (Twilight Zone), Ocean (Twilight Floor), Ocean (Twilight Slope), Ocean (Sunlight Zone)*
Polar
Polar Coast, Polar Beach, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Riparian, Moor, Polar Palus, Polar Mudflats, Frostwood, Polar Scrub, Mamut, Barrens, Glacier, Glacial Beach, Glacial Lake, Glacial River, Ice Sheet
Subpolar
Subpolar Coast, Subpolar Beach, Subpolar River, Subpolar Lake, Subpolar Riparian, Bog, Subpolar Palus, Subpolar Mudflats, Subpolar Driftwood, Subpolar Mangal, Taiga, Lowboreal, Prairie, Steppe, Tundra
Temperate
Temperate Coast, Temperate Beach, Temperate River, Temperate Lake, Temperate Riparian, Marsh, Temperate Palus, Temperate Mudflats, Temperate Driftwood, Temperate Mangal, Temperate Rainforest, Temperate Woodland, Bush, Plains, Temperate Desert
Subtropical
Subtropical Coast, Subtropical Beach, Subtropical River, Subtropical Lake, Subtropical Riparian, Bayou, Subtropical Palus, Subtropical Mudflats, Subtropical Driftwood, Subtropical Mangal, Subtropical Rainforest, Subtropical Woodland, Chaparral, Veldt, Hot Desert
Tropical
Tropical Coast, Tropical Beach, Tropical River, Tropical Lake, Tropical Riparian, Swamp, Tropical Palus, Tropical Mudflats, Tropical Driftwood, Tropical Mangal, Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Woodland, Tropical Scrub, Savanna, Dunes, Salt Flats
Montane
Montane River, Montane Lake, Montane Riparian, Montane Palus, Cloud Rainforest, Highboreal, Rocky, Highvelt, Badlands, Volcanic, Alpine, Peak
Subterranean
Ice Cave, Sea Cave, Cave, Cavern, Water Table
Atmosphere
Atmosphere (Troposphere), Atmosphere (Stratosphere)
--Flavors--
You can choose only 3 TOUCHING biomes. This means that some biomes such as the Desert will never be touching the Rainforest biome. Likewise this applies vertically as well for instance the Deep Sea Vents doesn't touch the Stratosphere.
Vents
Vent
Seep
Cold Seep
Trench Zone
Ocean (Trench Zone), Ocean (Trench Floor), Ocean (Trench Slope)
Abyss Zone
Ocean (Abyss Zone), Ocean (Abyss Floor), Ocean (Abyss Slope)
Midnight Zone
Ocean (Midnight Zone), Ocean (Midnight Floor), Ocean (Midnight Slope)
Twilight Zone
Ocean (Twilight Zone), Ocean (Twilight Floor), Ocean (Twilight Slope)
Sunlight Zone
Ocean (Sunlight Zone), Shallows, Sea, Bays, Coasts, Ice Sheet
Ice
Glacier, Peak
Beach
Polar Beach, Subpolar Beach, Temperate Beach, Subtropical Beach, Tropical Beach, Glacial Beach
Freshwater
Lake, River
Saline
Salt Palus, Salt Lake, Salt River
Wetlands
Moor, Bog, Marsh, Bayou, Swamp, Palus, Riparian, Mudflats
Driftwoods
Subpolar Driftwood, Temperate Driftwood, Subtropical Driftwood, Tropical Driftwood
Mangals
Subpolar Mangal, Temperate Mangal, Subtropical Mangal, Tropical Mangal
Rainforests
Taiga, Temperate Rainforest, Subtropical Rainforest, Tropical Rainforest, Cloud Rainforest
Woodlands
Frostwood, Lowboreal, Temperate Woodland, Subtropical Woodland, Tropical Woodland, Highboreal
Mixed Scrub
Polar Scrub, Prairie, Bush, Chaparral, Tropical Scrub, Rocky, Volcanic
Herbaceous
Mamut, Steppe, Plains, Veldt, Savanna, Highvelt, Alpine
Arid
Barrens, Tundra, Temperate Desert, Hot Desert, Dune, Badlands, Salt Flats
Subterranean
Ice Cave, Sea Cave, Cave, Cavern, Water Table
Troposphere
Atmosphere (Troposphere)
Stratosphere
Atmosphere (Stratosphere)
Water Table Rules
- Water Tables can connect to any water source on a continent. Ocean species can enter the water table thru sea caves
Treeline Rules
- Barring rare exceptions, no macro flora will be allowed in ice dominated biomes. Microbes and Macro Fauna on the other hand can live there as long as they have a source of food. Such as how polar bears eat the seals and whales under the ice. The biomes that this applies to are; Glaciers, Peaks, Glacial Lakes, Glacial Rivers and Ice Sheets.
- Barring Black and Glass flora, no macro flora large than 1 meter will be allowed in the terrestrial polar biome type. The biomes that this applies to are; Glacial Beach, Polar Beach, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Riparian, Moor, Polar Palus, Frostwood, Polar Scrub, Mamut, Barrens
Archipelago Rules
- Species in the archipelagos will have to have some means of island hopping, so they are restricted to either Archipelago+Beach+Coast or Archipelago+Atmosphere
Mangal Rules
- Mangal are assumed to be separate from beaches unless the species that form the mangal breach intertidal zones
- For flavors, if the submission is coastal+mangal, the mangal is to be considered a Sunlight Zone Flavor, however, if the submission excludes the coasts it is to be treated as a separate Mangal Flavor
Wildcard Rule
- In real life, there are a few animals that break Sagan 4's habitat conventions due to high adaptability, such as the red fox and the mountain lion which are present in both polar and tropical environments as well as everything in between. To reflect this phenomenon on Sagan 4, every member is allowed to submit one "wildcard" species with a similarly massive range, as long as it is justified. Once your wildcard species goes extinct or its range has shrunken down to no longer fall under "wildcard", you may submit another one.
Limited Biomes Rule
- A species may have up to 3 Types and up to 3 Flavors.
--Types--
You can choose any combination of 3 except Polar/Supolar <-> Tropical/Subtropical or Mountain <-> Marine. An exception is allowed for species in the Sunlight Zone, they are allowed to also be in two Polar/Temperate/Tropical Coasts.
Marine
Vents, Cold Seep, Ocean (Trench Zone), Ocean (Trench Floor), Ocean (Trench Slope), Ocean (Abyss Zone), Ocean (Abyss Floor), Ocean (Abyss Slope), Ocean (Midnight Zone), Ocean (Midnight Floor), Ocean (Midnight Slope), Ocean (Twilight Zone), Ocean (Twilight Floor), Ocean (Twilight Slope), Ocean (Sunlight Zone)*
Polar
Polar Coast, Polar Beach, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Riparian, Moor, Polar Palus, Polar Mudflats, Frostwood, Polar Scrub, Mamut, Barrens, Glacier, Glacial Beach, Glacial Lake, Glacial River, Ice Sheet
Subpolar
Subpolar Coast, Subpolar Beach, Subpolar River, Subpolar Lake, Subpolar Riparian, Bog, Subpolar Palus, Subpolar Mudflats, Subpolar Driftwood, Subpolar Mangal, Taiga, Lowboreal, Prairie, Steppe, Tundra
Temperate
Temperate Coast, Temperate Beach, Temperate River, Temperate Lake, Temperate Riparian, Marsh, Temperate Palus, Temperate Mudflats, Temperate Driftwood, Temperate Mangal, Temperate Rainforest, Temperate Woodland, Bush, Plains, Temperate Desert
Subtropical
Subtropical Coast, Subtropical Beach, Subtropical River, Subtropical Lake, Subtropical Riparian, Bayou, Subtropical Palus, Subtropical Mudflats, Subtropical Driftwood, Subtropical Mangal, Subtropical Rainforest, Subtropical Woodland, Chaparral, Veldt, Hot Desert
Tropical
Tropical Coast, Tropical Beach, Tropical River, Tropical Lake, Tropical Riparian, Swamp, Tropical Palus, Tropical Mudflats, Tropical Driftwood, Tropical Mangal, Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Woodland, Tropical Scrub, Savanna, Dunes, Salt Flats
Montane
Montane River, Montane Lake, Montane Riparian, Montane Palus, Cloud Rainforest, Highboreal, Rocky, Highvelt, Badlands, Volcanic, Alpine, Peak
Subterranean
Ice Cave, Sea Cave, Cave, Cavern, Water Table
Atmosphere
Atmosphere (Troposphere), Atmosphere (Stratosphere)
--Flavors--
You can choose only 3 TOUCHING biomes. This means that some biomes such as the Desert will never be touching the Rainforest biome. Likewise this applies vertically as well for instance the Deep Sea Vents doesn't touch the Stratosphere.
Vents
Vent
Seep
Cold Seep
Trench Zone
Ocean (Trench Zone), Ocean (Trench Floor), Ocean (Trench Slope)
Abyss Zone
Ocean (Abyss Zone), Ocean (Abyss Floor), Ocean (Abyss Slope)
Midnight Zone
Ocean (Midnight Zone), Ocean (Midnight Floor), Ocean (Midnight Slope)
Twilight Zone
Ocean (Twilight Zone), Ocean (Twilight Floor), Ocean (Twilight Slope)
Sunlight Zone
Ocean (Sunlight Zone), Shallows, Sea, Bays, Coasts, Ice Sheet
Ice
Glacier, Peak
Beach
Polar Beach, Subpolar Beach, Temperate Beach, Subtropical Beach, Tropical Beach, Glacial Beach
Freshwater
Lake, River
Saline
Salt Palus, Salt Lake, Salt River
Wetlands
Moor, Bog, Marsh, Bayou, Swamp, Palus, Riparian, Mudflats
Driftwoods
Subpolar Driftwood, Temperate Driftwood, Subtropical Driftwood, Tropical Driftwood
Mangals
Subpolar Mangal, Temperate Mangal, Subtropical Mangal, Tropical Mangal
Rainforests
Taiga, Temperate Rainforest, Subtropical Rainforest, Tropical Rainforest, Cloud Rainforest
Woodlands
Frostwood, Lowboreal, Temperate Woodland, Subtropical Woodland, Tropical Woodland, Highboreal
Mixed Scrub
Polar Scrub, Prairie, Bush, Chaparral, Tropical Scrub, Rocky, Volcanic
Herbaceous
Mamut, Steppe, Plains, Veldt, Savanna, Highvelt, Alpine
Arid
Barrens, Tundra, Temperate Desert, Hot Desert, Dune, Badlands, Salt Flats
Subterranean
Ice Cave, Sea Cave, Cave, Cavern, Water Table
Troposphere
Atmosphere (Troposphere)
Stratosphere
Atmosphere (Stratosphere)
Diet Rules
Diet Transition
Species diets must use transition species.
Herbivore to Carnivore
Herbivore -> Omnivore -> Carnivore
Diet Types
One must transition their diet from from one kingdom to another.
Carnivore Example
Plent --> Plent and Carpozoa --> Carpozoa
Herbivore Example
Purple Flora --> Purple Flora and Black Flora --> Black Flora
Photosynthesis Color Rule
Photosynthesis Coloring can only change gradually.
Purple -> Indigo -> Blue -> Teal -> Green -> Lime -> Yellow -> Yellow-Orange -> Orange -> Red-Orange -> Red -> Maroon -> Purple
You cannot change the color of a species photosynthesis.
Predatory Inheritance Rule
- Unless stated otherwise, descendants of prey species are assumed to also be prey to their ancestors predators
Photosynthetic Fauna Rule
- Motile, photosynthetic macrofauna are not allowed to rely on photosynthesis alone.
-Exceptions can be made if the species is facultatively mobile
Lost Diet Rules
- If a species loses access to their primary diet, but have a secondary food source, the species can survive, but any descendants must replace them
EX: A predator that also scavenges can survive as a scavenger, but must be replaced by a scavenger or with a different food source
- The only exception is if it violates the Photosynthetic Fauna rule
Diet Transition
Species diets must use transition species.
Herbivore to Carnivore
Herbivore -> Omnivore -> Carnivore
Diet Types
One must transition their diet from from one kingdom to another.
Carnivore Example
Plent --> Plent and Carpozoa --> Carpozoa
Herbivore Example
Purple Flora --> Purple Flora and Black Flora --> Black Flora
Photosynthesis Coloring can only change gradually.
Purple -> Indigo -> Blue -> Teal -> Green -> Lime -> Yellow -> Yellow-Orange -> Orange -> Red-Orange -> Red -> Maroon -> Purple
You cannot change the color of a species photosynthesis.
Predatory Inheritance Rule
- Unless stated otherwise, descendants of prey species are assumed to also be prey to their ancestors predators
Photosynthetic Fauna Rule
- Motile, photosynthetic macrofauna are not allowed to rely on photosynthesis alone.
-Exceptions can be made if the species is facultatively mobile
Lost Diet Rules
- If a species loses access to their primary diet, but have a secondary food source, the species can survive, but any descendants must replace them
EX: A predator that also scavenges can survive as a scavenger, but must be replaced by a scavenger or with a different food source
- The only exception is if it violates the Photosynthetic Fauna rule
Island Migration
Players cannot spread fauna to islands except for direct sea or air. Flora can spread if they have an aerial dispersal reproduction method. However at the beginning of each week species will be "cross pollinated" at random either to or from island beaches. In addition "Super Hurricane" disasters will spread species when they occur.
Players cannot spread fauna to islands except for direct sea or air. Flora can spread if they have an aerial dispersal reproduction method. However at the beginning of each week species will be "cross pollinated" at random either to or from island beaches. In addition "Super Hurricane" disasters will spread species when they occur.
Grouping System Rules
Genus System Rule
The Genus System allows small organism niches to be filled in quickly so that we don't have to worry about complicated systems such as the nitrogen cycle. Genus submissions are submitted and reviewed just like ordinary species and must have at least 3 species depicted in their image.
These are limited to being below 20 cm in size, and must fill the same niches.
Foundation System Rule
To reflect real-world phenomena, larger photosynthetic flora up to 20 meters in height may also be submitted as genera. These should be restricted to flora that act as foundations to an ecoregion (Forests need trees, grasslands need grass etc). These should be restricted to a single region on submission unless justified (eg. a cactus-like organism can be in two regions that are separated by a desert). Large flora genera may also be present on adjacent islands without restriction. Their description must include the limits of which types of habitats they appear in.
Large flora genera are assumed to be absent in biomes which the treeline rule applies to unless otherwise specified.
Keystone System Rule
To reflect real-world phenomena, there are certain organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on the function of other life, as such these groups can be submitted as a larger collection of organisms than genus level. Collection of species fulfill this category are ones that fill hyper-specific niches that are necessary for life to function and would cause catastrophe if removed (ex. Nitrogen fixers, gut microbe, pioneer species). These are groups that are too broad to realistically be just a genus, but need to be globally widespread.
These are limited to producers and primary consumers, and must be below 20 cm in size
Partner Species Sub-Entries
Any submission may make note of either specific species inside genus groups or subspecies of normal species entries which are partners to the species being submitted. These are not independent submissions and do not take up any additional slot; the only requirement is that they must actually fit within the definition of the genus group or species they are derived from (no non-aesthetical external changes). They do not need to be depicted.
Examples: Describing your species' gut microbes, describing the specific species of xenobee that co-evolved to pollenate your species' flowers
Genus System Rule
The Genus System allows small organism niches to be filled in quickly so that we don't have to worry about complicated systems such as the nitrogen cycle. Genus submissions are submitted and reviewed just like ordinary species and must have at least 3 species depicted in their image.
These are limited to being below 20 cm in size, and must fill the same niches.
Foundation System Rule
To reflect real-world phenomena, larger photosynthetic flora up to 20 meters in height may also be submitted as genera. These should be restricted to flora that act as foundations to an ecoregion (Forests need trees, grasslands need grass etc). These should be restricted to a single region on submission unless justified (eg. a cactus-like organism can be in two regions that are separated by a desert). Large flora genera may also be present on adjacent islands without restriction. Their description must include the limits of which types of habitats they appear in.
Large flora genera are assumed to be absent in biomes which the treeline rule applies to unless otherwise specified.
Keystone System Rule
To reflect real-world phenomena, there are certain organisms that have a disproportionately large impact on the function of other life, as such these groups can be submitted as a larger collection of organisms than genus level. Collection of species fulfill this category are ones that fill hyper-specific niches that are necessary for life to function and would cause catastrophe if removed (ex. Nitrogen fixers, gut microbe, pioneer species). These are groups that are too broad to realistically be just a genus, but need to be globally widespread.
These are limited to producers and primary consumers, and must be below 20 cm in size
Partner Species Sub-Entries
Any submission may make note of either specific species inside genus groups or subspecies of normal species entries which are partners to the species being submitted. These are not independent submissions and do not take up any additional slot; the only requirement is that they must actually fit within the definition of the genus group or species they are derived from (no non-aesthetical external changes). They do not need to be depicted.
Examples: Describing your species' gut microbes, describing the specific species of xenobee that co-evolved to pollenate your species' flowers
Respiration Rules
Respiration Transition
Species respirations must use transition species.
Example:
Water-Breathing -> Both Air- and Water-Breathing -> Air-Breathing
Passive -> Semi-Active -> Active
Respiration Transition
Species respirations must use transition species.
Example:
Water-Breathing -> Both Air- and Water-Breathing -> Air-Breathing
Passive -> Semi-Active -> Active
Thermoregulation Rules
Thermoregulation Transition
Species thermoregulation must use transition species.
Example:
Ectotherm -> Mesotherm ->Endotherm
Thermoregulation Transition
Species thermoregulation must use transition species.
Example:
Ectotherm -> Mesotherm ->Endotherm
Support Rules
Support Transition
Species support structures must use transition species.
Example:
Support Transition
Species support structures must use transition species.
Example:
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