Core Rules
- You may only evolve from species which are considered canon to Sagan 4 Beta, which can be found on the wiki or using Sagan Bot on the discord server.
- You may choose any living creature to work on and post as many as you want. No one can claim ownership over any one organism or group
- You many only evolve from a previous generation or before. (Not the same generation).
- Each generation is done when it reaches the species cap or when 2 weeks have passed, whichever comes last.
- 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, the Moderation team will see what species are still alive and what are dead. A new ecosystem list of where each species lives will then be posted. In mass extinctions, a list of all groups that have gone extinct will be given with the exceptional survivors.
- Taxonomy is primarily handled by Sagan 4 moderators and specifically-appointed members. If you create a lineage and would like to name its taxonomic groups, or if you think a taxonomic group has become too large and broad, you are free to suggest revisions. However, on your own you cannot simply make up new groups other than genera and families.
- 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 (with a B ) within the thread title.
-- If you are not currently a part of the Sagan 4 team, please see the New Member Submissions thread. If you are a returning member from before the limbo or are otherwise already a member of Sagan 4 Alpha, however, you should instead message an active Sagan 4 moderator (ie, Coolsteph, TSSL, or Disgustedorite) and they will have your Sagan 4 team member status restored.
- To reduce strain on moderation, members are limited to 6 active submissions at one time. An active submission is any submission that has neither been approved (placed in the compendium) nor rejected. Official contest and challenge entries are exempt.
Standalone Descriptions Rule
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.
- Each species must have the following information filled out so it may be copied and pasted into the Sagan 4 Wiki.[/li]
(IMAGE)
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) that is largest. Wingspan cannot be the sole measurement. Use the measurement that is the average size of your organism. Colonial microbes and flora should also feature their colony size range in brackets)
Support: [ see ancestor ]
Diet: [ see other species and diet rules below ]
Respiration: [ see ancestor ]
Thermoregulation: [ see ancestor ]
Reproduction: [ unless you intend to change it, see ancestor ]
[ Any other information not stated above is put here in the description]
Note that some species have unknown support, respiration, and thermoregulation because these fields were implemented after the project began. This is not an invitation to make something up; instead, it is recommended that you either leave them blank or request assistance in filling these in.
- You may only evolve from species which are considered canon to Sagan 4 Beta, which can be found on the wiki or using Sagan Bot on the discord server.
- You may choose any living creature to work on and post as many as you want. No one can claim ownership over any one organism or group
- You many only evolve from a previous generation or before. (Not the same generation).
- Each generation is done when it reaches the species cap or when 2 weeks have passed, whichever comes last.
- 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, the Moderation team will see what species are still alive and what are dead. A new ecosystem list of where each species lives will then be posted. In mass extinctions, a list of all groups that have gone extinct will be given with the exceptional survivors.
- Taxonomy is primarily handled by Sagan 4 moderators and specifically-appointed members. If you create a lineage and would like to name its taxonomic groups, or if you think a taxonomic group has become too large and broad, you are free to suggest revisions. However, on your own you cannot simply make up new groups other than genera and families.
- 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 (with a B ) within the thread title.
-- If you are not currently a part of the Sagan 4 team, please see the New Member Submissions thread. If you are a returning member from before the limbo or are otherwise already a member of Sagan 4 Alpha, however, you should instead message an active Sagan 4 moderator (ie, Coolsteph, TSSL, or Disgustedorite) and they will have your Sagan 4 team member status restored.
- To reduce strain on moderation, members are limited to 6 active submissions at one time. An active submission is any submission that has neither been approved (placed in the compendium) nor rejected. Official contest and challenge entries are exempt.
Standalone Descriptions Rule
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.
- Each species must have the following information filled out so it may be copied and pasted into the Sagan 4 Wiki.[/li]
(IMAGE)
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) that is largest. Wingspan cannot be the sole measurement. Use the measurement that is the average size of your organism. Colonial microbes and flora should also feature their colony size range in brackets)
Support: [ see ancestor ]
Diet: [ see other species and diet rules below ]
Respiration: [ see ancestor ]
Thermoregulation: [ see ancestor ]
Reproduction: [ unless you intend to change it, see ancestor ]
[ Any other information not stated above is put here in the description]
Note that some species have unknown support, respiration, and thermoregulation because these fields were implemented after the project began. This is not an invitation to make something up; instead, it is recommended that you either leave them blank or request assistance in filling these in.
Sagan 4 Wiki Rules
o Do not add species to the Sagan 4 wiki unless they are approved and in the compendium.
o You may edit your own personal page associated with your user name however you want.
o Moderators can request changes to creatures that have already been approved and even added to the wiki, and they can contest approvals by other moderators.
o Spelling errors can be fixed by anyone.
o If there is a problem on the wiki such as a species that you think should be extinct or alive, please PM a moderator. Do not fix it without consulting a moderator first.
o New taxa can only be created by moderators and taxonomists, though the creator of the first species in the lineage may be asked to suggest a name and people may also suggest names for other groups. However, if you see established taxonomy that is not filled in on the wiki, you can help fill it in with the correct taxonomy information.
o Do not add species to the Sagan 4 wiki unless they are approved and in the compendium.
o You may edit your own personal page associated with your user name however you want.
o Moderators can request changes to creatures that have already been approved and even added to the wiki, and they can contest approvals by other moderators.
o Spelling errors can be fixed by anyone.
o If there is a problem on the wiki such as a species that you think should be extinct or alive, please PM a moderator. Do not fix it without consulting a moderator first.
o New taxa can only be created by moderators and taxonomists, though the creator of the first species in the lineage may be asked to suggest a name and people may also suggest names for other groups. However, if you see established taxonomy that is not filled in on the wiki, you can help fill it in with the correct taxonomy information.
Locomotion Rule
Species locomotion, apart from gliding, 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)
Powered flight cannot evolve from fully-aquatic species.
Air to Sea
Flight -> Semi-Aquatic (Like Ducks) -> Aquatic
Land to Air
Terrestrial -> Fluttering (ie, flapping forelimbs to slow a fall like baby birds) -> Flight
(Note: Each member may only evolve a new lineage with powered flight once. Make sure to save it for something good, as you will never get a second chance! (Mercy clause: If it dies immediately, you do get a second chance))
Air to Land
Flight -> Poor Flight (Like Chickens) -> Terrestrial
Species locomotion, apart from gliding, 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)
Powered flight cannot evolve from fully-aquatic species.
Air to Sea
Flight -> Semi-Aquatic (Like Ducks) -> Aquatic
Land to Air
Terrestrial -> Fluttering (ie, flapping forelimbs to slow a fall like baby birds) -> Flight
(Note: Each member may only evolve a new lineage with powered flight once. Make sure to save it for something good, as you will never get a second chance! (Mercy clause: If it dies immediately, you do get a second chance))
Air to Land
Flight -> Poor Flight (Like Chickens) -> Terrestrial
Evolution Rules
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 [4x 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.
Intelligence
Intelligence has to be evolved gradually over several generations. Sapient species (like humans) can only be evolved in special events or as contest prizes.
Species are allowed to be as intelligent as apes and corvids, including tool crafting and tool use to some extent. However, if the species can be interpreted as sapient, its non-sapience must also be specified and explained in the description.
Atavism Rules
An atavistic species cannot draw traits from any further back than 5 generations or its ancestor's ancestor, whichever is earlier, without extraordinary justification. Beyond this point, old traits are considered genetically lost and cannot be reactivated. This includes adding ancestral traits to unelaborated larvae.
Exception: Traits that are lost in one part of the body but not another related body part may be regained freely, as their presence is proof that their genes still exist intact. Examples: regaining foreclaws because it still had hindclaws, regaining teeth on the lower jaw because it still had some on the upper jaw
Convergent Evolution Rule
To avoid breaking realism, there must be a balance between unique features and convergent evolution. There are some cases where it is better to copy a feature from Earth organisms, and others where it is better to take an original approach.
- Full skeletons cannot evolve the same shape twice. For example, vertebrates with jaws and skulls have already evolved, so you should either evolve an existing one or come up with a different kind of skeleton.
- Jaws, however, are a little less restricted. Jaws derived from limbs are fair game, while jaws derived from less common body parts (ie gill arches) can only evolve from that body part once.
- Identical active air-breathing respiratory systems cannot evolve twice. This refers to a system in which air is actively pumped or gulped or the like (such as lungs or labyrinth organs); it does not apply to systems of passive diffusion (like spiracles or breathing through the skin). Similar systems may arise (such as tetrapod and snail lungs), but they must be distinct in anatomy and operation. Related species may develop the same system if it comes from the same organ system or behavior (as with Earth's tetrapods and mudskippers).
-- Mercy clause: If a lineage with a particular respiratory system dies immediately or with fewer than 5 members, the same system can evolve again.
- While evolving features from earth fauna is not expressly banned (apart from highly improbable features such as flight feathers), a given species cannot visually copy any complex earth lineage 1:1 (or be that earth lineage but with X alien feature tacked on). Using examples from the original (Alpha) version of the project, for example, mammal clones similar to shrews and nodents will almost certainly be rejected.
- If your favorite lineage goes extinct, please don't immediately re-evolve it 1:1.
The following features are required to have similar shapes to Earthly counterparts, unless a different shape can be proven effective:
- Wing and tail shape for flight
- Fin and tail shape for swimming
Only the following are outright banned at this time:
- Bird-like flight feathers
- New fauna from non-fauna ancestors
-- The existing multicellular fauna are descendants of the Binucleusdetritivorus Worm, Carpotesta Luceremundare, Lilstar, Lituslug, and Charnlit.
-- Descendants of the Litusfoi and the Supergoliathpseudopodia are also considered fauna, though they are unicellular, and may develop further fauna-like behaviors and characteristics freely as long as they are explained and they remain single-celled.
-- Descendants of Ambraki are multicellular and have some faunal traits. They lack a nervous system but can develop non-neural faunal characteristics as long as they are explained.
- New vascular flora from non-vascular ancestors (including evolving roots)
-- The existing vascular flora are descendants of the Binucleus Crystal Shrub, Forest Purplestem, Violetshoot, Violetpalm, Leafstar, Homosaertes, and Wormstem.
-- Non-vascular flora have a size limit of 50 cm.
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 [4x 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.
Intelligence
Intelligence has to be evolved gradually over several generations. Sapient species (like humans) can only be evolved in special events or as contest prizes.
Species are allowed to be as intelligent as apes and corvids, including tool crafting and tool use to some extent. However, if the species can be interpreted as sapient, its non-sapience must also be specified and explained in the description.
Atavism Rules
An atavistic species cannot draw traits from any further back than 5 generations or its ancestor's ancestor, whichever is earlier, without extraordinary justification. Beyond this point, old traits are considered genetically lost and cannot be reactivated. This includes adding ancestral traits to unelaborated larvae.
Exception: Traits that are lost in one part of the body but not another related body part may be regained freely, as their presence is proof that their genes still exist intact. Examples: regaining foreclaws because it still had hindclaws, regaining teeth on the lower jaw because it still had some on the upper jaw
Convergent Evolution Rule
To avoid breaking realism, there must be a balance between unique features and convergent evolution. There are some cases where it is better to copy a feature from Earth organisms, and others where it is better to take an original approach.
- Full skeletons cannot evolve the same shape twice. For example, vertebrates with jaws and skulls have already evolved, so you should either evolve an existing one or come up with a different kind of skeleton.
- Jaws, however, are a little less restricted. Jaws derived from limbs are fair game, while jaws derived from less common body parts (ie gill arches) can only evolve from that body part once.
- Identical active air-breathing respiratory systems cannot evolve twice. This refers to a system in which air is actively pumped or gulped or the like (such as lungs or labyrinth organs); it does not apply to systems of passive diffusion (like spiracles or breathing through the skin). Similar systems may arise (such as tetrapod and snail lungs), but they must be distinct in anatomy and operation. Related species may develop the same system if it comes from the same organ system or behavior (as with Earth's tetrapods and mudskippers).
-- Mercy clause: If a lineage with a particular respiratory system dies immediately or with fewer than 5 members, the same system can evolve again.
- While evolving features from earth fauna is not expressly banned (apart from highly improbable features such as flight feathers), a given species cannot visually copy any complex earth lineage 1:1 (or be that earth lineage but with X alien feature tacked on). Using examples from the original (Alpha) version of the project, for example, mammal clones similar to shrews and nodents will almost certainly be rejected.
- If your favorite lineage goes extinct, please don't immediately re-evolve it 1:1.
The following features are required to have similar shapes to Earthly counterparts, unless a different shape can be proven effective:
- Wing and tail shape for flight
- Fin and tail shape for swimming
Only the following are outright banned at this time:
- Bird-like flight feathers
- New fauna from non-fauna ancestors
-- The existing multicellular fauna are descendants of the Binucleusdetritivorus Worm, Carpotesta Luceremundare, Lilstar, Lituslug, and Charnlit.
-- Descendants of the Litusfoi and the Supergoliathpseudopodia are also considered fauna, though they are unicellular, and may develop further fauna-like behaviors and characteristics freely as long as they are explained and they remain single-celled.
-- Descendants of Ambraki are multicellular and have some faunal traits. They lack a nervous system but can develop non-neural faunal characteristics as long as they are explained.
- New vascular flora from non-vascular ancestors (including evolving roots)
-- The existing vascular flora are descendants of the Binucleus Crystal Shrub, Forest Purplestem, Violetshoot, Violetpalm, Leafstar, Homosaertes, and Wormstem.
-- Non-vascular flora have a size limit of 50 cm.
Art Rules
"Creature Editors" Cannot Be Used For Species Artwork.
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.
Two Species Cannot Share The Same Image.
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.
Submission artwork must be comprehensible and anatomically accurate.
The artwork needs to be crisp and not blurry, and the organism may not be obscured or partially cut off. Top-down perspectives are discouraged unless an additional image of the underside is also included. It must also be anatomically accurate, including joint direction and position of feet. We do not intend to enforce a particular art style, but noodle limbs on jointed creatures, over-simplified design, "cutesy" or "mammalified" style, and other anatomy-obscuring styles are highly discouraged.
If the number of digits on a faunal organism's limbs is unclear from the main artwork, it must be specified in text or shown in a supplementary image. Flora must have the size and shape of any leaves, fruit, seeds, or reproductive organs they have either clearly visible in the main image or within a supplementary image.
Backgrounds cannot be distracting or misleading.
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.
Commissioned Artwork
At least 90% of your species should use artwork originally created by you. For the remaining 10%, if you wish you may use art which is created by other people as long as it is properly credited and was made specifically for the submission. This includes commissioned (paid for) artwork, whether the artist is a member of the Sagan 4 team or not, as long as the artist agrees that the art may be used on Sagan 4 (proof must be provided). Commissioned or requested art is not allowed in competitions, and art- or design-related awards will be awarded to the artist rather than the creator of the species.
We will not accept submissions drawn by artists who have any kind of policy that would allow them to take away your right to use the work you paid for. Additionally, if you issue chargebacks on commissioned work, even if the submission was rejected, you will be barred from submitting with commissioned artwork in the future. It is your responsibility to ensure that the artist does not screw up anatomy or misinterpret the ancestor.
Sagan 4 artwork which you created may be used as commission examples or included in your portfolio. However, while you may accept commissions for Sagan 4 art, you are not allowed to specifically offer Sagan 4 artwork as a commission type.
"Creature Editors" Cannot Be Used For Species Artwork.
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.
Two Species Cannot Share The Same Image.
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.
Submission artwork must be comprehensible and anatomically accurate.
The artwork needs to be crisp and not blurry, and the organism may not be obscured or partially cut off. Top-down perspectives are discouraged unless an additional image of the underside is also included. It must also be anatomically accurate, including joint direction and position of feet. We do not intend to enforce a particular art style, but noodle limbs on jointed creatures, over-simplified design, "cutesy" or "mammalified" style, and other anatomy-obscuring styles are highly discouraged.
If the number of digits on a faunal organism's limbs is unclear from the main artwork, it must be specified in text or shown in a supplementary image. Flora must have the size and shape of any leaves, fruit, seeds, or reproductive organs they have either clearly visible in the main image or within a supplementary image.
Backgrounds cannot be distracting or misleading.
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.
Commissioned Artwork
At least 90% of your species should use artwork originally created by you. For the remaining 10%, if you wish you may use art which is created by other people as long as it is properly credited and was made specifically for the submission. This includes commissioned (paid for) artwork, whether the artist is a member of the Sagan 4 team or not, as long as the artist agrees that the art may be used on Sagan 4 (proof must be provided). Commissioned or requested art is not allowed in competitions, and art- or design-related awards will be awarded to the artist rather than the creator of the species.
We will not accept submissions drawn by artists who have any kind of policy that would allow them to take away your right to use the work you paid for. Additionally, if you issue chargebacks on commissioned work, even if the submission was rejected, you will be barred from submitting with commissioned artwork in the future. It is your responsibility to ensure that the artist does not screw up anatomy or misinterpret the ancestor.
Sagan 4 artwork which you created may be used as commission examples or included in your portfolio. However, while you may accept commissions for Sagan 4 art, you are not allowed to specifically offer Sagan 4 artwork as a commission type.
Species Rules
Living Fossil
Protohydroia Octherma is meant to remain a living fossil. It can be split from, but not replaced.
Sub-Species Rule
For the purpose of this game, there shall be no non-aesthetical differences in sub-species. If you want a species to look significantly different in a specific biome, then they must replace or split off and become a separate species specified for that environment. Subspecies are, however, allowed to have slightly different diet ratios and internal differences (e.g., more mouth enzymes to digest starches in one habitat), color differences (e.g., blending with different soils), or minor external differences (e.g., longer fur in colder biomes). Note that this rule does not affect sexual dimorphism, life cycle metamorphosis or any other physical change that can happen to a species.
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 or pollinators
Microbe Hybrids
Only microbes can make hybrids with non-related species.
Macro Hybrids
Closely related macro species can become hybrid.
Example #1
Direct Ancestor with descendant.
Example #2
Two descendants with the same direct ancestor.
Living Fossil
Protohydroia Octherma is meant to remain a living fossil. It can be split from, but not replaced.
Sub-Species Rule
For the purpose of this game, there shall be no non-aesthetical differences in sub-species. If you want a species to look significantly different in a specific biome, then they must replace or split off and become a separate species specified for that environment. Subspecies are, however, allowed to have slightly different diet ratios and internal differences (e.g., more mouth enzymes to digest starches in one habitat), color differences (e.g., blending with different soils), or minor external differences (e.g., longer fur in colder biomes). Note that this rule does not affect sexual dimorphism, life cycle metamorphosis or any other physical change that can happen to a species.
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 or pollinators
Microbe Hybrids
Only microbes can make hybrids with non-related species.
Macro Hybrids
Closely related macro species can become hybrid.
Example #1
Direct Ancestor with descendant.
Example #2
Two descendants with the same direct ancestor.
Size Rules
Increase and Decrease
General
In most circumstances, most organisms may grow 2x or shrink 0.5x the size of their ancestor, while photosynthetic flora (those with sessile adult stages in the case of planimals) may grow 4x their ancestor's size.
Low Competition
When extraordinarily justified, such as by lacking competition in a given size range for a particular niche, fauna may also grow 4x or shrink 0.25x, and photosynthetic flora may grow up to 8x.
Ocean Scaling
Oceanic species up to 10 cm may grow up to 4x.
Island Dwarfism/Gigantism
Island-dwelling species may grow 4x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena. Photosynthetic flora on an island may grow up to 8x.
Abyssal Gigantism
Abyssal species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena.
Disaster Gigantism
In the first generation following a mass extinction event which kills off megafauna, fauna which would not be able to otherwise may grow up to 4x the size of their ancestor to reflect real-world phenomena. Similar applies to flora; if an extinction event kills off large flora, then in the first generation that follows, photosynthetic flora which would not otherwise be able to may grow up to 8x the size of their ancestor.
Treeline Rule
Alpine, Tundra, Polar Beach, Polar Coast, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Watershed, and Bog biomes cannot have rooted flora taller than 1 meter.
This post has been edited by Disgustedorite: Apr 5 2021, 10:20 PM
Increase and Decrease
General
In most circumstances, most organisms may grow 2x or shrink 0.5x the size of their ancestor, while photosynthetic flora (those with sessile adult stages in the case of planimals) may grow 4x their ancestor's size.
Low Competition
When extraordinarily justified, such as by lacking competition in a given size range for a particular niche, fauna may also grow 4x or shrink 0.25x, and photosynthetic flora may grow up to 8x.
Ocean Scaling
Oceanic species up to 10 cm may grow up to 4x.
Island Dwarfism/Gigantism
Island-dwelling species may grow 4x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena. Photosynthetic flora on an island may grow up to 8x.
Abyssal Gigantism
Abyssal species may grow 10x or shrink 0.1x the size of their ancestor, to reflect real-world phenomena.
Disaster Gigantism
In the first generation following a mass extinction event which kills off megafauna, fauna which would not be able to otherwise may grow up to 4x the size of their ancestor to reflect real-world phenomena. Similar applies to flora; if an extinction event kills off large flora, then in the first generation that follows, photosynthetic flora which would not otherwise be able to may grow up to 8x the size of their ancestor.
Treeline Rule
Alpine, Tundra, Polar Beach, Polar Coast, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Watershed, and Bog biomes cannot have rooted flora taller than 1 meter.
This post has been edited by Disgustedorite: Apr 5 2021, 10:20 PM
Player Behavior Rules
Negative Comment Rule
Anyone who posts something negative gets suspended for a day. This includes repeated condescending statements, personal insults, elitism, or pomposity. Not everyone knows everything about speculative evolution; members ought to provide people with constructive criticism if people get things wrong, and not insult them for it. Extended harassing behavior may be grounds for banning.
Approval Rule
All submissions need at least 3 people or a moderator to approve it before it is accepted. A moderator cannot approve their own submissions.
"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 if it's "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.
Work-in-Progress Rule
To be submitted as a work in progress, a submission must have either no picture and a mostly-complete description (minimum 150 words), or a picture and a rudimentary description. (minimum 50 words) At the end of a Generation, each work-in-progress submission is given an alert that notifies the submitter of a two-day limit to finish the species before the Generation's end. If not complete by then, the submission is rejected. The member has the option to re-submit the rejected idea in the next Generation, either unmodified (if its original details are still feasible) or modified (if the original details are not feasible). The opened slots may be filled by other users, who do not have works in progress still out or have completed their own works in progress prior to the two-day grace period. Each member is allowed to submit two works-in-progress submissions to the forum per Generation, which must be marked as works-in-progress in the forum topic title. To avoid "slot-hoarding", it is recommended members build up a species on a document prior to submitting it on the forum, instead of using the forum as a storage space. Species which are rejected for lacking an image cannot be resubmitted until they have one.
If you consistently post work-in-progress submissions without finishing them in a timely manner, you may be asked to cease submitting them at all. If this happens, do not argue; simply wait until your submissions have both an image and a complete description before you actually submit them. Submitting them when they will not be finished until 2 generations later is pointless, and you should instead simply wait to submit them until then.
Collaboration Submission Rule
Submissions made with significant help from another user, such as supplying a picture, supplying a description, or massively adding onto a description, must note the help of the other user in the template or species description.
Retcons
On Sagan 4, a retcon, short for retroactive continuity, is any change made to an organism or event after it was already approved. Retcons are usually done when a plausibility issue is found, ie. crestgills never evolving blood. They are rarely done on request, unless a member detects an issue before a moderators does.
While any member can suggest a retcon, they will not be accepted if a change isn't deemed to be required. Specifically, retcons solely to add features you forgot to evolve will not be accepted.
Negative Comment Rule
Anyone who posts something negative gets suspended for a day. This includes repeated condescending statements, personal insults, elitism, or pomposity. Not everyone knows everything about speculative evolution; members ought to provide people with constructive criticism if people get things wrong, and not insult them for it. Extended harassing behavior may be grounds for banning.
Approval Rule
All submissions need at least 3 people or a moderator to approve it before it is accepted. A moderator cannot approve their own submissions.
"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 if it's "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.
Work-in-Progress Rule
To be submitted as a work in progress, a submission must have either no picture and a mostly-complete description (minimum 150 words), or a picture and a rudimentary description. (minimum 50 words) At the end of a Generation, each work-in-progress submission is given an alert that notifies the submitter of a two-day limit to finish the species before the Generation's end. If not complete by then, the submission is rejected. The member has the option to re-submit the rejected idea in the next Generation, either unmodified (if its original details are still feasible) or modified (if the original details are not feasible). The opened slots may be filled by other users, who do not have works in progress still out or have completed their own works in progress prior to the two-day grace period. Each member is allowed to submit two works-in-progress submissions to the forum per Generation, which must be marked as works-in-progress in the forum topic title. To avoid "slot-hoarding", it is recommended members build up a species on a document prior to submitting it on the forum, instead of using the forum as a storage space. Species which are rejected for lacking an image cannot be resubmitted until they have one.
If you consistently post work-in-progress submissions without finishing them in a timely manner, you may be asked to cease submitting them at all. If this happens, do not argue; simply wait until your submissions have both an image and a complete description before you actually submit them. Submitting them when they will not be finished until 2 generations later is pointless, and you should instead simply wait to submit them until then.
Collaboration Submission Rule
Submissions made with significant help from another user, such as supplying a picture, supplying a description, or massively adding onto a description, must note the help of the other user in the template or species description.
Retcons
On Sagan 4, a retcon, short for retroactive continuity, is any change made to an organism or event after it was already approved. Retcons are usually done when a plausibility issue is found, ie. crestgills never evolving blood. They are rarely done on request, unless a member detects an issue before a moderators does.
While any member can suggest a retcon, they will not be accepted if a change isn't deemed to be required. Specifically, retcons solely to add features you forgot to evolve will not be accepted.
Biome Rules
Water Table Rules
- The "Water Table" biome represents aquifers and includes underground rivers.
- Water Tables can connect to rivers, lakes, watersheds, and caves that are above them, as well as to the ocean if it connects with it.
Subterranean Rules
Any organism small enough to fit into the cave can exist within the photic zone. Within the aphotic zone, photosynthetic organisms cannot exist and fauna are limited to 50 cm as a maximum size.
Glacier Rule
No macro flora will be allowed in biomes of the Ice flavor. Microbes and macro fauna of any size 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.
Limited Biomes Rule
Biome Rules
Species ranges are restricted by the following rules. However, each project member may have one wildcard species, which may have any range as long as its description justifies it. Each member may only have one wildcard at a time, and may only create another wildcard once the previous one goes extinct or is no longer a wildcard due to habitat change, partial replacement, or any other circumstances.
All biomes in a range must be continuous unless the species is capable of flight, has airborne reproduction, or is otherwise capable of spanning distances through the atmosphere. Those species may inhabit biomes on either side of flyways (as shown in the flyways map). To represent a species capable of flying longer distances, you must include the areas that they cross in their habitat list.
Species' ranges must at least be adjacent to their ancestor (including standard use of flyways).
Species that migrate seasonally or as part of their life cycle may list two separate ranges, as long as they are adjacent or overlap. The restrictions apply to each range separately, so a migratory species may have a larger range overall than would otherwise be possible.
A species may be in biomes belonging to up to two Types and up to three Flavors, as listed below.
—Types—
You may choose up to two types. Of the spectrum Extreme Polar—Polar—Temperate—Subtropical—Tropical, you may only choose two that are adjacent to each other.
Vertical types must be adjacent too (Trench—Abyssal—Midnight—Twilight—Sunlight). It is only possible to transition one depth level per generation. For example, a species in the abyssal zone may have a descendant in the midnight zone but not in the twilight zone.
The Deep-Sea Reef biome may count as either midnight or twilight, as it spans a significant height. Ridges are treated as equivalent to Midnight, except Rhino Ridge, which is treated as equivalent to Twilight Slope. Vents within the Ridges are treated as equivalent to Abyssal. As an exception to the usual depth rule, it is possible to be in both Rhino Ridge and Rhino Vents at the same time.
Cold Seeps may count as belonging to the same Type as whatever marine biomes they fall within.
As an exception to the usual two-Type limit, marine species in the Sunlight zone may also be in Twilight areas that correspond to the ocean(s) that they are present in. However, their description must indicate adaptations to low-light conditions.
Cave climate types correspond to whichever biome the cave is in.
Hydrothermal
Ridge, Vents, Trench Zone, Trench Floor, Trench Slope
Abyssal
Abyssal Zone, Abyssal Floor, Abyssal Slope
Midnight
Midnight Zone, Midnight Floor, Midnight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef*
Twilight
Twilight Zone, Twilight Floor, Twilight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef*, Cold Seep*
Extreme Polar
Ice Sheet, Tundra, Glacier, Glacial Beach, Glacial Lake, Glacial River
Polar
Polar Ocean, Polar Coast, Polar Sea, Polar Beach, Bog, Taiga, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Watershed, Polar Riparian, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Temperate
Temperate Ocean, Temperate Coast, Temperate Sea, Temperate Undersea Forest, Temperate Undersea Meadow, Temperate Beach, Marsh, Temperate Rainforest, Temperate Woodland, Temperate Savanna, Plains, Cold Desert, Temperate River, Temperate Lake, Temperate Riparian, Temperate Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Subtropical
Subtropical Ocean, Subtropical Coast, Subtropical Sea, Subtropical Undersea Forest, Subtropical Meadow, Subtropical Beach, Salt Flat, Bayou, Subtropical Woodland, Chaparral, Veldt, Hot Desert, Subtropical River, Subtropical Lake, Subtropical Riparian, Subtropical Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Tropical
Tropical Ocean, Tropical Coast, Tropical Sea, Reef, Tropical Undersea Meadow, Tropical Beach, Salt Flat, Swamp, Tropical Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Tropical Savanna, Tropical Scrub, Tropical River, Tropical Lake, Tropical Riparian, Tropical Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Montane
Alpine, Cloud Forest, Montane Forest, Rocky Shrub, Montane Steppe, Montane Desert, Volcanic, Moor, Montane Riparian, Montane Watershed, Peak, Cave (Photic)*
Subterranean
Cave (Aphotic), Water Table
Atmosphere
Troposphere, Stratosphere
—Flavors—
You can choose up to three flavors. Of the spectrum Arid—Steppe—Mixed—Woodland—Rainforest, you may only choose adjacent flavors. For example, you may have Rainforest, Woodland, and Mixed, but you may not have Rainforest, Woodland, and Steppe. (Be careful: There are a few areas in which physically adjacent biomes skip part of this spectrum due to unsuitable conditions.)
Ice Sheets are counted as Sunlight Zone for species that exist below the ice and as Ice for species that exist on top of the ice.
As a special exception, an aquatic or amphibious species may have up to four flavors if all of its flavors belong to the following short list: River, Watershed, Riparian, Wetland, Reef, Undersea Forest, Undersea Meadow, Shallows, Beach, or Cave.
Ridge
Ridge, Vents
Subduction Trench
Trench Zone, Trench Floor, Trench Slope
Seep
Cold Seep
Ocean Floor
Abyssal Floor, Abyssal Slope, Midnight Floor, Midnight Slope, Twilight Floor, Twilight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef
Deep Marine
Abyssal Zone, Midnight Zone, Twilight Zone
Sunlight Zone
Tropical Ocean, Subtropical Ocean, Temperate Ocean, Polar Ocean, Ice Sheet*
Reef Zone
Reef
Undersea Forest
Subtropical Undersea Forest, Temperate Undersea Forest
Undersea Meadow
Tropical Undersea Meadow, Subtropical Undersea Meadow, Temperate Undersea Meadow
Shallows
Tropical Sea/Coast, Subtropical Sea/Coast, Temperate Sea/Coast, Polar Sea/Coast
Beach
Polar Beach, Temperate Beach, Subtropical Beach, Tropical Beach, Glacial Beach
Salt Flat
Salt Flat
River
Tropical River, Subtropical River, Temperate River, Polar River
Wetlands
Bog, Marsh, Bayou, Swamp, Moor
Riparian
Tropical Riparian, Subtropical Riparian, Temperate Riparian, Polar Riparian, Montane Riparian
Watershed
Tropical Watershed, Subtropical Watershed, Temperate Watershed, Polar Watershed, Montane Watershed
Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest, Temperate Rainforest, Cloud Forest
Woodland
Monsoon Forest, Subtropical Woodland, Temperate Woodland, Taiga, Montane Forest
Mixed
Tropical Savanna, Chaparral, Temperate Savanna, Rocky Shrub
Steppe
Tropical Scrub, Veldt, Plains, Tundra, Montane Steppe
Arid
Hot Desert, Cold Desert, Montane Desert
Alpine
Alpine
Ice
Glacier, Peak, Ice Sheet*
Cave
Cave (Aphotic), Cave (Photic), Water Table
Atmosphere
Troposphere, Stratosphere
Barren Biome Rule
If a biome has no species at all and no genus groups then it is considered "barren". In order for new species to colonize the new biome, you need to first place pioneer species before more advanced species can re-populate. Pioneer species make new soil for the biome. Thus you should try to complete the Nitrogen Cycle (see below) when populating a barren biome.
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Fixing (Converts Atmospheric Nitrogen into Ammonium)
Nitrifying (Converts Ammonia into NO[sub]2[/sub]- )
Nitrafying (Converts NO[sub]2[/sub]- into NO[sub]3[/sub]- )
Denitrifying (Converts NO[sub]3[/sub]- into N[sub]2[/sub]- )
Water Table Rules
- The "Water Table" biome represents aquifers and includes underground rivers.
- Water Tables can connect to rivers, lakes, watersheds, and caves that are above them, as well as to the ocean if it connects with it.
Subterranean Rules
Any organism small enough to fit into the cave can exist within the photic zone. Within the aphotic zone, photosynthetic organisms cannot exist and fauna are limited to 50 cm as a maximum size.
Glacier Rule
No macro flora will be allowed in biomes of the Ice flavor. Microbes and macro fauna of any size 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.
Limited Biomes Rule
Biome Rules
Species ranges are restricted by the following rules. However, each project member may have one wildcard species, which may have any range as long as its description justifies it. Each member may only have one wildcard at a time, and may only create another wildcard once the previous one goes extinct or is no longer a wildcard due to habitat change, partial replacement, or any other circumstances.
All biomes in a range must be continuous unless the species is capable of flight, has airborne reproduction, or is otherwise capable of spanning distances through the atmosphere. Those species may inhabit biomes on either side of flyways (as shown in the flyways map). To represent a species capable of flying longer distances, you must include the areas that they cross in their habitat list.
Species' ranges must at least be adjacent to their ancestor (including standard use of flyways).
Species that migrate seasonally or as part of their life cycle may list two separate ranges, as long as they are adjacent or overlap. The restrictions apply to each range separately, so a migratory species may have a larger range overall than would otherwise be possible.
A species may be in biomes belonging to up to two Types and up to three Flavors, as listed below.
—Types—
You may choose up to two types. Of the spectrum Extreme Polar—Polar—Temperate—Subtropical—Tropical, you may only choose two that are adjacent to each other.
Vertical types must be adjacent too (Trench—Abyssal—Midnight—Twilight—Sunlight). It is only possible to transition one depth level per generation. For example, a species in the abyssal zone may have a descendant in the midnight zone but not in the twilight zone.
The Deep-Sea Reef biome may count as either midnight or twilight, as it spans a significant height. Ridges are treated as equivalent to Midnight, except Rhino Ridge, which is treated as equivalent to Twilight Slope. Vents within the Ridges are treated as equivalent to Abyssal. As an exception to the usual depth rule, it is possible to be in both Rhino Ridge and Rhino Vents at the same time.
Cold Seeps may count as belonging to the same Type as whatever marine biomes they fall within.
As an exception to the usual two-Type limit, marine species in the Sunlight zone may also be in Twilight areas that correspond to the ocean(s) that they are present in. However, their description must indicate adaptations to low-light conditions.
Cave climate types correspond to whichever biome the cave is in.
Hydrothermal
Ridge, Vents, Trench Zone, Trench Floor, Trench Slope
Abyssal
Abyssal Zone, Abyssal Floor, Abyssal Slope
Midnight
Midnight Zone, Midnight Floor, Midnight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef*
Twilight
Twilight Zone, Twilight Floor, Twilight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef*, Cold Seep*
Extreme Polar
Ice Sheet, Tundra, Glacier, Glacial Beach, Glacial Lake, Glacial River
Polar
Polar Ocean, Polar Coast, Polar Sea, Polar Beach, Bog, Taiga, Polar River, Polar Lake, Polar Watershed, Polar Riparian, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Temperate
Temperate Ocean, Temperate Coast, Temperate Sea, Temperate Undersea Forest, Temperate Undersea Meadow, Temperate Beach, Marsh, Temperate Rainforest, Temperate Woodland, Temperate Savanna, Plains, Cold Desert, Temperate River, Temperate Lake, Temperate Riparian, Temperate Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Subtropical
Subtropical Ocean, Subtropical Coast, Subtropical Sea, Subtropical Undersea Forest, Subtropical Meadow, Subtropical Beach, Salt Flat, Bayou, Subtropical Woodland, Chaparral, Veldt, Hot Desert, Subtropical River, Subtropical Lake, Subtropical Riparian, Subtropical Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Tropical
Tropical Ocean, Tropical Coast, Tropical Sea, Reef, Tropical Undersea Meadow, Tropical Beach, Salt Flat, Swamp, Tropical Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Tropical Savanna, Tropical Scrub, Tropical River, Tropical Lake, Tropical Riparian, Tropical Watershed, Cave (Photic)*, Cold Seep*
Montane
Alpine, Cloud Forest, Montane Forest, Rocky Shrub, Montane Steppe, Montane Desert, Volcanic, Moor, Montane Riparian, Montane Watershed, Peak, Cave (Photic)*
Subterranean
Cave (Aphotic), Water Table
Atmosphere
Troposphere, Stratosphere
—Flavors—
You can choose up to three flavors. Of the spectrum Arid—Steppe—Mixed—Woodland—Rainforest, you may only choose adjacent flavors. For example, you may have Rainforest, Woodland, and Mixed, but you may not have Rainforest, Woodland, and Steppe. (Be careful: There are a few areas in which physically adjacent biomes skip part of this spectrum due to unsuitable conditions.)
Ice Sheets are counted as Sunlight Zone for species that exist below the ice and as Ice for species that exist on top of the ice.
As a special exception, an aquatic or amphibious species may have up to four flavors if all of its flavors belong to the following short list: River, Watershed, Riparian, Wetland, Reef, Undersea Forest, Undersea Meadow, Shallows, Beach, or Cave.
Ridge
Ridge, Vents
Subduction Trench
Trench Zone, Trench Floor, Trench Slope
Seep
Cold Seep
Ocean Floor
Abyssal Floor, Abyssal Slope, Midnight Floor, Midnight Slope, Twilight Floor, Twilight Slope, Deep-Sea Reef
Deep Marine
Abyssal Zone, Midnight Zone, Twilight Zone
Sunlight Zone
Tropical Ocean, Subtropical Ocean, Temperate Ocean, Polar Ocean, Ice Sheet*
Reef Zone
Reef
Undersea Forest
Subtropical Undersea Forest, Temperate Undersea Forest
Undersea Meadow
Tropical Undersea Meadow, Subtropical Undersea Meadow, Temperate Undersea Meadow
Shallows
Tropical Sea/Coast, Subtropical Sea/Coast, Temperate Sea/Coast, Polar Sea/Coast
Beach
Polar Beach, Temperate Beach, Subtropical Beach, Tropical Beach, Glacial Beach
Salt Flat
Salt Flat
River
Tropical River, Subtropical River, Temperate River, Polar River
Wetlands
Bog, Marsh, Bayou, Swamp, Moor
Riparian
Tropical Riparian, Subtropical Riparian, Temperate Riparian, Polar Riparian, Montane Riparian
Watershed
Tropical Watershed, Subtropical Watershed, Temperate Watershed, Polar Watershed, Montane Watershed
Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest, Temperate Rainforest, Cloud Forest
Woodland
Monsoon Forest, Subtropical Woodland, Temperate Woodland, Taiga, Montane Forest
Mixed
Tropical Savanna, Chaparral, Temperate Savanna, Rocky Shrub
Steppe
Tropical Scrub, Veldt, Plains, Tundra, Montane Steppe
Arid
Hot Desert, Cold Desert, Montane Desert
Alpine
Alpine
Ice
Glacier, Peak, Ice Sheet*
Cave
Cave (Aphotic), Cave (Photic), Water Table
Atmosphere
Troposphere, Stratosphere
Barren Biome Rule
If a biome has no species at all and no genus groups then it is considered "barren". In order for new species to colonize the new biome, you need to first place pioneer species before more advanced species can re-populate. Pioneer species make new soil for the biome. Thus you should try to complete the Nitrogen Cycle (see below) when populating a barren biome.
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Fixing (Converts Atmospheric Nitrogen into Ammonium)
Nitrifying (Converts Ammonia into NO[sub]2[/sub]- )
Nitrafying (Converts NO[sub]2[/sub]- into NO[sub]3[/sub]- )
Denitrifying (Converts NO[sub]3[/sub]- into N[sub]2[/sub]- )
Diet Rules
Diet Transition
Species' diets must use transition species.
Herbivore to Carnivore
Herbivore -> Omnivore -> Carnivore
Photosynthesis Color Rule
Photosynthesis Coloring can only change gradually.
Purple -> Indigo -> Blue -> Teal -> Green -> Lime -> Yellow -> Yellow-Orange -> Orange -> Red-Orange -> Red -> Maroon -> Purple
In simple terms, you cannot change the color of a species' photosynthesis. Some lineages, such as primitive crystal flora, have access to more than one pigment; however, they cannot spontaneously generate new pigments. Darker or lighter tints for different climate conditions, accessory pigments with biological basis, and additional non-photosynthesis pigments used for camouflage are acceptable, however.
Diet Transition
Species' diets must use transition species.
Herbivore to Carnivore
Herbivore -> Omnivore -> Carnivore
Photosynthesis Color Rule
Purple -> Indigo -> Blue -> Teal -> Green -> Lime -> Yellow -> Yellow-Orange -> Orange -> Red-Orange -> Red -> Maroon -> Purple
In simple terms, you cannot change the color of a species' photosynthesis. Some lineages, such as primitive crystal flora, have access to more than one pigment; however, they cannot spontaneously generate new pigments. Darker or lighter tints for different climate conditions, accessory pigments with biological basis, and additional non-photosynthesis pigments used for camouflage are acceptable, however.
Island Migration
Players can only spread species to islands through sea or air, whether by swimming, flying, being carried by currents (e.g., coconuts) or transport on or in the bodies of flying or swimming organisms. (e.g., feather mites getting transported on the bodies of birds, seeds resisting digestion in bird guts and getting excreted). 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.
For spread by air, a "flyway" map is provided among the maps for the week. It shows all places where the distance between two landmasses is short enough that a flying organism could reasonably cross. Unless extraordinarily justified, these are the only gaps flying organisms and wind-blown spores can cross at the time of submission.
Players can only spread species to islands through sea or air, whether by swimming, flying, being carried by currents (e.g., coconuts) or transport on or in the bodies of flying or swimming organisms. (e.g., feather mites getting transported on the bodies of birds, seeds resisting digestion in bird guts and getting excreted). 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.
For spread by air, a "flyway" map is provided among the maps for the week. It shows all places where the distance between two landmasses is short enough that a flying organism could reasonably cross. Unless extraordinarily justified, these are the only gaps flying organisms and wind-blown spores can cross at the time of submission.
Genus System Rule
The Genus System allows important microbes and other small organisms to be filled in quickly so that we don't have to worry about complicated systems such as the nitrogen cycle. Genus submissions are not required for all small species; this is left to artist's choice. Genus submissions are submitted and reviewed just like ordinary species and must have at least 3 species depicted in their image.
There are 4 types of genus submissions: micro genus submissions, macro genus submissions, critter genus submissions, and large flora genus submissions (sometimes known as "treenus").
Micro Genera
Micro genus submissions are for microbes, meiofauna, and other very small organisms. Micro genus submissions can be globally present on land and/or water, and only need a generalized description as long as it is useful and covers all species. Organisms in micro genus submissions cannot be larger than 1 millimeter.
Macro Genera
Macro genus submissions are for small flora, small invertebrate analogs, and other small, visible, and populous organisms. Macro genus submissions must be in a limited number of regions (seen on the region map) and either individual species or general climate adaptations must be described, depending on what makes sense for the given group of organisms. Organisms in flora/sessile genus submissions cannot exceed 50 cm, while organisms in motile/faunal genus submissions cannot exceed 10 cm.
Critter Genera
Fauna above 10 cm and up to 20 cm can be submitted as genera that are restricted to a single region on submission unless justified (eg. a warm-blooded mouse-like organism can easily cross a mountain range; note that "they also rafted to X" is not an acceptable explanation). Their description must include the limits of which types of habitats they appear in. Aquatic critters may only be freshwater or saltwater unless they are migratory (like salmon).
Large Flora Genera
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 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.
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.
The Genus System allows important microbes and other small organisms to be filled in quickly so that we don't have to worry about complicated systems such as the nitrogen cycle. Genus submissions are not required for all small species; this is left to artist's choice. Genus submissions are submitted and reviewed just like ordinary species and must have at least 3 species depicted in their image.
There are 4 types of genus submissions: micro genus submissions, macro genus submissions, critter genus submissions, and large flora genus submissions (sometimes known as "treenus").
Micro Genera
Micro genus submissions are for microbes, meiofauna, and other very small organisms. Micro genus submissions can be globally present on land and/or water, and only need a generalized description as long as it is useful and covers all species. Organisms in micro genus submissions cannot be larger than 1 millimeter.
Macro Genera
Macro genus submissions are for small flora, small invertebrate analogs, and other small, visible, and populous organisms. Macro genus submissions must be in a limited number of regions (seen on the region map) and either individual species or general climate adaptations must be described, depending on what makes sense for the given group of organisms. Organisms in flora/sessile genus submissions cannot exceed 50 cm, while organisms in motile/faunal genus submissions cannot exceed 10 cm.
Critter Genera
Fauna above 10 cm and up to 20 cm can be submitted as genera that are restricted to a single region on submission unless justified (eg. a warm-blooded mouse-like organism can easily cross a mountain range; note that "they also rafted to X" is not an acceptable explanation). Their description must include the limits of which types of habitats they appear in. Aquatic critters may only be freshwater or saltwater unless they are migratory (like salmon).
Large Flora Genera
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 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.
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.
Support Rules
The material and type of a species' support structures, if applicable, must be listed. Examples:
- Endoskeleton (Bone)
- Shell (Calcite)
- Cell Wall (Silica)
- Soft-Bodied (Hydrostatic)
Convergent Evolution
Full-body endoskeletons cannot evolve the same shape twice, so for example since vertebrate-like skeletons have already evolved, creating a new kind of "vertebrate" is not allowed.
Size limits on land
A terrestrial organism cannot be larger than their support structure and material allows without justification. The size limits are as follows:
- Soft-bodied / hydrostatic (ie. worms, squids): 30 cm
- Lightweight Exoskeleton (ie. insects): 2 meters
- Heavy Exoskeleton (neosiluros; no real-world example): 1 meter
- Hard Endoskeleton (ie. most vertebrates): Reference mammals, ornithischians
- Hollow Endoskeleton (ie. birds): Reference sauropods
- Cartilage Endoskeleton (ie. amphibious sharks): 1 meter
- Unjointed Wooden Endoskeleton: ~60 cm
- Jointed Wooden Endoskeleton: ~4 meters (cannot shrink smaller than 1 meter)
Respiration Rules
Both the method and activity level of respiration must be specified. If it isn't clear whether a structure is made for air or water, that must also be clarified.
Convergent Evolution
Identical active air-breathing organs cannot evolve twice unless they were modified from the same ancestral organ system or behavior.
Respiration Transition
Species respiration must use transition species.
Example:
Water-Breathing -> Both Air- and Water-Breathing -> Air-Breathing
Passive -> Semi-Active -> Active
Respiration Size Limits
Terrestrial fauna with passive respiration cannot be thicker than 4 centimeters without justification.
Planimals which produce their own oxygen using photosynthesis are exempt from this rule.
Is this passive, semi-active, or active?
For those less familiar with respiration outside of vertebrates, determining whether an organism's respiratory system is passive or active can be a challenge. Here is a rough guide:
- Passive: No air/water flow, dependence on diffusion; nothing needs to move for the organism to breathe
- Semi-Active: Weak air/water flow, such as powered by cilia, beating fins, or swimming forward; movement of respiratory system isn't very visible if at all
- Active: Strong flow, pumping of air/water; usually, some part of the body is visibly expanding and contracting
Thermoregulation Rules
Thermoregulation Transition
Species thermoregulation must use transition species.
Example:
Ectotherm -> Mesotherm ->Endotherm
Ectotherms in Extreme Cold Environments
Terrestrial ectotherms cannot be present in polar or glacial biomes without justification.
Watch out for accidental endotherm traits!
As most large animals familiar to us in real life are endotherms, it can be easy to accidentally give an ectotherm characteristics which it would not usually have or that even actively harm it.
The following traits should only be present in organisms which can generate their own body heat:
- Full-body insulatory integument (ie. fur or feathers); ectotherms do not need these and they actively prevent them from warming up, as insulation works in both directions
- Blubber; similar to fur and feathers
- Moist, "steamy" breath; indicates breath is being heated by the lungs
The following traits are rare in true ectotherms and must be justified on inclusion:
- Erect, pillar-like legs (as opposed to the sprawling legs of a lizard)
- Powered flight
- Hopping, sprinting, and other high-energy cursorial adaptations
- Huddling behavior
The material and type of a species' support structures, if applicable, must be listed. Examples:
- Endoskeleton (Bone)
- Shell (Calcite)
- Cell Wall (Silica)
- Soft-Bodied (Hydrostatic)
Convergent Evolution
Full-body endoskeletons cannot evolve the same shape twice, so for example since vertebrate-like skeletons have already evolved, creating a new kind of "vertebrate" is not allowed.
Size limits on land
A terrestrial organism cannot be larger than their support structure and material allows without justification. The size limits are as follows:
- Soft-bodied / hydrostatic (ie. worms, squids): 30 cm
- Lightweight Exoskeleton (ie. insects): 2 meters
- Heavy Exoskeleton (neosiluros; no real-world example): 1 meter
- Hard Endoskeleton (ie. most vertebrates): Reference mammals, ornithischians
- Hollow Endoskeleton (ie. birds): Reference sauropods
- Cartilage Endoskeleton (ie. amphibious sharks): 1 meter
- Unjointed Wooden Endoskeleton: ~60 cm
- Jointed Wooden Endoskeleton: ~4 meters (cannot shrink smaller than 1 meter)
Respiration Rules
Both the method and activity level of respiration must be specified. If it isn't clear whether a structure is made for air or water, that must also be clarified.
Convergent Evolution
Identical active air-breathing organs cannot evolve twice unless they were modified from the same ancestral organ system or behavior.
Respiration Transition
Species respiration must use transition species.
Example:
Water-Breathing -> Both Air- and Water-Breathing -> Air-Breathing
Passive -> Semi-Active -> Active
Respiration Size Limits
Terrestrial fauna with passive respiration cannot be thicker than 4 centimeters without justification.
Planimals which produce their own oxygen using photosynthesis are exempt from this rule.
Is this passive, semi-active, or active?
For those less familiar with respiration outside of vertebrates, determining whether an organism's respiratory system is passive or active can be a challenge. Here is a rough guide:
- Passive: No air/water flow, dependence on diffusion; nothing needs to move for the organism to breathe
- Semi-Active: Weak air/water flow, such as powered by cilia, beating fins, or swimming forward; movement of respiratory system isn't very visible if at all
- Active: Strong flow, pumping of air/water; usually, some part of the body is visibly expanding and contracting
Thermoregulation Rules
Thermoregulation Transition
Species thermoregulation must use transition species.
Example:
Ectotherm -> Mesotherm ->Endotherm
Ectotherms in Extreme Cold Environments
Terrestrial ectotherms cannot be present in polar or glacial biomes without justification.
Watch out for accidental endotherm traits!
As most large animals familiar to us in real life are endotherms, it can be easy to accidentally give an ectotherm characteristics which it would not usually have or that even actively harm it.
The following traits should only be present in organisms which can generate their own body heat:
- Full-body insulatory integument (ie. fur or feathers); ectotherms do not need these and they actively prevent them from warming up, as insulation works in both directions
- Blubber; similar to fur and feathers
- Moist, "steamy" breath; indicates breath is being heated by the lungs
The following traits are rare in true ectotherms and must be justified on inclusion:
- Erect, pillar-like legs (as opposed to the sprawling legs of a lizard)
- Powered flight
- Hopping, sprinting, and other high-energy cursorial adaptations
- Huddling behavior
Approval Checklist
All Organism Submissions post are now required to have an Approval Checklist done on the submission before the post can be accepted. Any team member is allowed to do a checklist on someone else's submissions, however if they are done by a non-Mod or Admin, a Mod or Admin will have to agree with the assessment.
All Organism Submissions post are now required to have an Approval Checklist done on the submission before the post can be accepted. Any team member is allowed to do a checklist on someone else's submissions, however if they are done by a non-Mod or Admin, a Mod or Admin will have to agree with the assessment.
| CODE |
| [SIZE=4][u][b]Approval Checklist:[/b][/u][/SIZE] [u][b]Art:[/b][/u] Art Present?: Art clear?: Gen number?: All limbs shown?: Reasonably Comparable to Ancestor?: Realistic additions?: [u][b]Name:[/b][/u] Binomial Taxonomic Name?: Creator?: [u][b]Ancestor:[/b][/u] Listed?: What changes?:[LIST] [*]External?: [*]Internal?: [*]Behavioral/Mental?: [/LIST]Are Changes Realistic?: New Genus Needed?: (If yes, list why) [u][b]Habitat:[/b][/u] Type?: Flavor?: Connected to Ancestor?: Contiguous?: Wildcard?: [u][b]Size:[/b][/u] Same as Ancestor?: Within range?: Exception?: [b][u]Support:[/u][/b] Same as Ancestor?: Does it Fit Lifestyle?: Does It Fit Size?: Reasonable changes (if any)?: Other?: [u][b]Diet:[/b][/u] Same as Ancestor?: Transition Rule?: Reasonable changes (if any)?: [u][b]Respiration:[/b][/u] Same as Ancestor?: Does It Fit Habitat?: Does it Fit Size?: Reasonable changes (if any)?: Other?: [b][u]Thermoregulation:[/u][/b] Same as Ancestor?: Does It Fit Habitat?: Reasonable changes (if any)?: Other?: [u][b]Reproduction:[/b][/u] Same as Ancestor?: Does It Fit Habitat?: Reasonable changes (if any)?: Other?: [u][b]Description:[/b][/u] Length?: Capitalized correctly?: Replace/Split from ancestor?: Other?: [SIZE=7][b][u]Opinion:[/u][/b][/SIZE] [color=Green][b]Approved[/b][/color]; [color=blue][b]Pending[/b][/color](why); [color=Red][b]Rejected[/b][/color] (why) |
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