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Rustcells (Sadakamira spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: Cave Rustcell (Mainovisis internus)
Habitat: Global (Sagan 4); True Global
Size: 100 μm diameter
Diet: Lithotroph (Iron)
Reproduction: Mitosis

The Rustcells are a diverse genus of iron cells that live in almost all environments on Sagan 4, and provide a necessary component to the bio-iron cycle. They create a ferric reductase enzyme which reduces the ferric Fe(III) to Fe(II). They find sources of iron using specialized organelle known as a magnetosome, which contain magnetite crystals that allow them to sense the food sources. These crystals can either be made of iron oxide or sulfide. Rustcells, like the Electini, are considered a Dissimilatory Metal-Reducing Microorganisms. DMRMs are microorganisms that can perform anaerobic respiration utilizing a metal, in this case Fe(III), as terminal electron acceptor rather than molecular oxygen (O2), which is the terminal electron acceptor reduced to water (H2O) in aerobic respiration. They are all facultative anaerobes, and in the presence of oxygen will produce ATP using free organic compounds, but they can not survive well in such environments.


Integrated Species
---
cave rustcell
limestone rustcell
fuzzy rustcell
saltlake rustcell
sandstone rustcell
volcanic rustcell
water table rustcell

Toxiglobes (Toxiglobus spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: Double-Banded Toxiglobe, Pioneer Toxiglobe, Pioneer Poisonglobe
Habitat: Global
Size: 1 - 10 cm Wide
Support: Cell Wall (Cellulose)
Diet: Photosynthesis
Respiration: Passive (Stomata)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Asexual: Very Resistant Spores, Super Fast Asexual Budding; Sexual: Spores

The '''toxiglobe''' genus group replaced its ancestors the [[Double-Banded Toxiglobe]], [[Pioneer Toxiglobe]], and [[Pioneer Poisonglobe]. They derive their names from a glyphosate-base cytotoxin that they produce that is deadly towards [[plents]]. Its toxin inhibits the production of folates and aromatic amino acids at the cellular level, causing cellular death. Plents will first to develop large raw patches of dead flesh in the digestive system, but eventually the toxin spreads thru the circulatory system and are readily taken up by other tissues, leading to death. Other kingdoms are less affected, and as a consequence, they are a favored food staple for many herbivourous Carpozoa species. Strength of the toxin can vary among the multiple species, though those descendant of the pioneer poisonglobe have the most potent varieties.

They can be found in terrestrial environments types that have access to sunlight, however they will favor climates with at least moderate amounts of precipitation. Most have primitive quasi-root nodules that keep them rooted in the soil, allowing them access to groundwater, which let them grow in mildly arid climates such as grasslands, woodlands, and montane ecosystems. Those descended from the double-banded toxiglobe not directly descended from the pioneer toxiglobe however have less developed quasi-root systems, leaving them restricted to areas where moisture is near the soil surface. These species are found in marshlands, riparians, beaches, and generally in and around sources of abundant water. They can be found on all continents, but the greatest diversity of species are found in Darwin and Drake.

Reproduction is done primarily through the production of spores, which will be carried through the water off to other locations for them to implant. Their spores are haploid, and usually produce offspring through self-mating, however occasionally spores of other parents will hybridize, facilitating an increase in genetic diversity. They will reproduce based off environmental factors, such as sustained warmer periods or, especially for the terrestrial species, after heavy rain.Those with more developed nodule systems will occasionally produce buds off of their nodules, creating networks that allow exchange of nutrients across distances.

Integrated Species
---
* [[Double-Banded Toxiglobe]]
* [[Pioneer Toxiglobe]]
* [[Pioneer Poisonglobe]]

Colonialballs (Cologlobus spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: Colonialball, Island Colonialball
Habitat: Global
Size: 2 cm to 10 cm Wide spheres
Support: Cell Wall (Cellulose)
Diet: Photosynthesis
Respiration: Passive (Stomata)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Super Fast Asexual Budding, Very Resistant Spores

The colonialball genus group replaced its ancestors the [[colonialball]] and [[Island Colonialball|island colonialball]]. Their main distinguishing feature is their forming of large buoyant colonies that drift on the currents, passively photosynthesizing. Most colonialballs are descendants of the island colonialballs which, thanks to their root-like nodules providing anchorage points for nitrogen-fixing microbes, have diversified to all major temperate and tropical marine waterways on the planet. A few members of the genus are derived from more primitive basal colonialballs, which eke out existences in isolated pockets in areas their relatives have not yet reached, such as low oxygen wetlands or freshwater ecoregions. They have limited tolerances to freezing, so are not generally found in polar environments unless as part of a large colony of other flora.

Within their molted bodies is a small amount of fresh water which they have separated from the surrounding salt water in order to make themselves lighter than it, as well as to supply their photosynthetic functions. While colonies of non open ocean species rarely grow very large due to predation or weather, some rare ones can be found almost reaching the size of small islands. However at these sizes individuals deep within the mass tend to die out due to being unable to photosynthesize, eventually resulting in the colonies breaking up. Separated colonies are able to adhere to each other if currents keep them in contact long enough. Their roots and purple masses will eventually fuse, allowing for nutrient exchange between the colonies. Open ocean species, which have a greater likelihood of reaching large sizes, have developed adaptations which help keep this down. Once cutoff from sunlight, these masses will atrophy all structures save for those meant for structural support, kept alive through the shared nutrient exchanges. These connective tissues are strong enough to hold them together at large sizes, but can be broken by heavy storms. Their adhering abilities make them excellent symbiots for [[Symbioraft Diaminet|diaminet]] or other colonies.

They all reproduce via either producing spores which join the plankton that surrounds them, or by having various individual orbs fall off and start new colonies. Genetic exchange does occur, but primarily between fused colonies, which allow for gene exchange through horizontal gene transfer. Large, old colonies tend to be the most genetically diverse for this reason, which allows for greater adaptive potential.

Integrated species
---
* [[Colonialball]]
* [[Island Colonialball]]

Hollowdomes (Rotundus spp.)

Creator: MNIDJM
Ancestor: [[Greenhouse Cryodome]]<br>[[Hollowdome]]<br>[[Pioneer Hollowdome]]<br>[[Temperate Hollowdome]]<br>[[Rainforest Hollowdome]]
Habitat: Sagan 4 Global
Size: 2 cm - 16 cm Diameter
Support:: External (Chitin-based lens shell)
Diet: Photosynthesis
Respiration:
Thermoregulation: Ectothermic (Lens directed basking)
Reproduction: Asexual, Budding

The '''hollowdomes''' are a group of [[Glass Flora|glass flora]] best distinguished from the others by their distinctive rounded dome shape and a hollow core which they fill with nutrients to store for the harder times. These nutrients are stored in the form of glycogen suspended in the stored water. Separating the outer chitinous lenses and the fungus-like core is a network of airgaps which trap heat, making it much warmer inside than the air outside the dome. The intricacy of this insulation varies from between species depending on the climate, with species in warmer environments having less developed insulation. All species require readily available amounts of sunlight, not doing well in areas of shade. The only method of defense they have to prevent shading is to crowd out other flora to prevent them from growing over them. If this fails they will use , their root system to attempt to grow away from the area, using the heat from the sun on the soil to sense where to grow.

Reproduction is carried out typically by budding off of the root systems. If the root system spreads far enough from the bulb they will begin forming a new sprout. These sprouts are typically reliant on the parent to provide the foundational nutrients before they grow large enough to begin photosynthesizing on their own. Fungal cores, if separated from the main body due to damage from predation, can also form new bulbs if they are able to take root in the soil and have enough internal nutrients to survive. Bulbs repair themselves by first repairing the fleshy core, and then scabbing over with grows that will later develop into the chitin shells.

They can be found on all major continents of the world, however they are absent from the more isolated landmasses such as Fermi, Jaydoh, Maineiac, and Truteal due to the separation.

=Integrated Species=

* [[Hollowdome]]

* [[Pioneer Hollowdome]]

* [[Temperate Hollowdome]]

* [[Rainforest Hollowdome]]

Yanisflora (Division: Vandruoria)

Creator: MNIDJM
AncestorX: [[Vandriswoop]]<br>[[Ninjaswoop]]<br>[[Yenaptak]]<br>[[Yumerhing]]<br>[[Yotwis]]<br>[[Retigroenx]]<br>[[Pioneer Retigroenx]]<br>[[Potallotus]]<br>[[Lacrimuck]]<br>[[Thawgrass]]<br>[[Nibulb Thawgrass]]<br>[[Yellowgrass]]<br>[[Hairyllo]]<br>[[Gupongrass]]<br>[[Crownrunner]]
Habitat: Sagan 4 Global
Size: 2 - 50 cm
Support: Cell Wall (Cellulose)
Diet: All: Photosynthesis; Pillunaneae: Filter-Feeding (Dark Octumoebium, Tiaran Octumoebium) ; Psychanthaceae: Chemivore (Sodium, Iron, Nitrogen)
Respiration:
Thermoregulation: Ectothermic
Reproduction: Asexual, Detaching Cells, Regenerating; Asexual, Budding

Most yanis are nominally terrestrial, growing within porous soil and water puddles. They will typically absorb moisture out of the air, creating small puddles where they can start to grow. When mature, these cells help the flora to catch water and drive it to the puddle. These puddles provide a home not just for themselves but for many other organisms to survive in there more unforgiving environments. When the bulbs find suitable soil to grow in, they will begin growing until they reaches a hard surface which cannot be displaced, like a rock or gravel. When this happens, the support rods of the aerial parts will break, and begin to transform into a kite-like structure, which will then fully separate from the bulb. This will allow them to be caught in the wind and spread, until it finds soil that can support them. While this is the baseline for the division, many branches have diversified into either more divergent habitats, or developed unique adaptations to the habitats they have found themselves in.

* The Pillunanaceae, while the most basal group, are also the only lineage with members to begin moving into subterranean environments. Those descended from the [[ninjaswoop]] can be found throught the cavesystems and watertable of Barlowe, and have developed filterfeeding abilities, digesting the octumoebiums found in the cavesystems which will grow in their puddles.

* The Myxosalpingaceae lineage is notable from the others with their replacement of the bulb with a germinating center that spreads in a chain along the ground. This lineage is one of the most globally widespread, being found on Maineiac, Barlowe, Dixon, Jaydoh, and even Fermi.

* The Psychanthaceae are notable for storing up chemicals throughout the year to generate exothermic reactions. These are then used in the winter to help generate heat when needed, preventing the flora from being damaged by frost.

* The Aurizingiberaceae superficially resemble Earth [[poaceae]] save for the yellowish-purple hue of their leaves due to large amounts of lutein, and have have developed a system of runners to allow for the flora to quickly spread on the ground, growing into large colonies

* The Pleagrostomineae are a diverse suborder that have evolved to be come either entirely aquatic or aquatic at various lifestages. They have adapted many forms of this, form marine species that float freely in the open oceans, to small lake living species that live calmly in the along the lakeshore.

Yanis can be found in all viable biome of Barlowe and Dixon, with some species spreading as far south as Jaydoh and as far west as Trueteal.

=Relationships with Other Species=

Their spread has also allowed the spread of some fauna that feed on them:

* The [[Migrating Capispine|migrating capispine]] dispersed out of the Ittiz Salt Bog back up the Ittiz riverway, back out across the Nergali Polar Beach. This abundant food source has allowed their populations to rebound, and can now regularly be seen in the coastal waters of Nergali. A small, bottlenecked population has even begun making some small inroads into Maineiac Polar Beach and the Maineiac river system, the product of a few crossings that occurred due to poor weather and more adventurous individuals. This population has adapted their migratory behaviors to this isolated environment, however many still attempt to cross back over to reproduce on Nergali beach, however many fail to make it

* The [[Vandriswoop Shellworm|vandriswoop shellworm]] has also followed the diversifying species up the Ittiz waterway, as well as south, managing to make their way to the Ovi waterway, as well as the deserts, high deserts, and temperate beaches of southern Barlowe.

* The [[irontangle]] followed the vandriswoops and relatives to spread with the diversifying species. They have spread in a similar manor to the vandriswoop shellworm, and can be found in every temperate environment of Barlowe capable of supporting a Yaniflora.

* The [[centilopeworm]] spread out from the Ittiz River region to their ancestral range. They can be found from the desert to the chaparral, however they were unable to establish themselves in the Ovi waterway due to the salt content.

* The [[Dark Octumoebium|dark octumoebium]] and the [[Tiaran Octumoebium|tiaran octumoebium]] have both spread to every subterranean environments of Barlowe, specifically the Barlowe Water Table and the Mandate Limestone Caves.

=Highlighted Species=

==Family Pillunanaceae - "Swoops"==

* [[Vandriswoop]]
* [[Ninjaswoop]]

==Family Myxosalpingaceae - "Retigroenxi" ==

* [[Retigroenx]]
* [[Pioneer Retigroenx]]

==Family Psychanthaceae - "Thawgrasses"==

* [[Thawgrass]]
* [[Nibulb Thawgrass]]

==Family Aurizingiberaceae- "Yellowgrasses"==

* [[Yellowgrass]]
* [[Hairyllo]]
* [[Gupongrass]]
* [[Crownrunner]

==Suborder- Pleagrostomineae - Yenaptaks==

* [[Yenaptak]]
* [[Yumerhing]]
* [[Yotwis]]
* [[Potallotus]]
* [[Lacrimuck]]

Colors by Nergali

Oozocorns (Myxophoroceros spp.)

Creator: Sad-Dingus
Ancestor: [[Smaraslim Bubblehorn]]
Habitat: Darwin, Drake
Diet: Detritophage, Planktivore, Carnivore (fauna between 1 and 10 cm in size, depending on the species)
Respiration: Passive (diffusion through skin)
Support: Exoskeleton (shell), Endoskeleton (hydrostatic)
Thermoregulation: Ectothermic
Size: 9-18 cm long
Reproduction: Sexual, eggs in ootheca

Background:
The Smaraslim Bubblehorn is a very ancient bubblehorn indeed, in fact moreso than the [[Fraboohorn]], a distantly related bubblehorn which evolved six generations after. While its close contender separated over a hundred million years apart hunkered down in the frigid tundras of Darwin, the basal quasipetriform instead found itself within the warm, humid refugia of the Ferret cave system, locked away from the affairs of the surface world by impenetrable blockades of ice. As of the late Masonian period however, the continuous glaciers of snowball sagan have since receded drastically, once more opening the smaraslims’ sheltered home to the affairs of the outside world. Inevitably, some of those smaraslims would venture out into the sun as their [[Acicubin Bubblehorn]] ancestors once have almost one-hundred-and-thirteen million years in the past. As these pioneering bubblehorns spread throughout Darwin and Drake, they would diversify and speciate, eventually to the point in which they split off into their own unique taxon, the Oozocorns.


Mucus Application and Feeding:
While other progeny of the smaraslim would continue to become increasingly bizarre and divergent by future generations, the Oozocorns seem rather ancestrally conserved in comparison. Basal to all other crown-group quasipetriform bubblehorns, the Oozocorns retain the ability to secrete adhesive mucus, which is produced by glands within the mouth. By inserting their horns within, members of this genus can bathe the impressively long sensory organs in this mucus, which is primarily used in feeding.

Most species of Oozocorn simply scan the surrounding environment with their mucus-laden horns, picking up any organic detritus or minute prey they happen to come into contact with, then insert their quarry back into the mouth; however there is one type of dietary item not shared with their ancestral stock - larger prey. This same mucus can also be used to subdue meatier, more substantial fare in a variety of means: larger species simply restrain their prey with the combination of their muscular horns and the mucus gumming up the respiratory ducts of their catches, while smaller species can employ a variety of numbing agents in their mucus (to which they possess immunity), sending the catch into paralytic shock before going in to devour. Because Oozocorns lack teeth or analogous organs, prey is engulfed and digested whole. Should a catch be sizable and nutritious enough, combined with the relatively slow activity of a typical Oozocorn species, it may keep the bubblehorn full for upwards to a day.

A couple of species approach the capture of meaty prey in a modified form of their ancestral feeding method: by resting upon a tall enough vertical surface and casting down its horns, boluses of mucus descend from them and ensnare any airborne fauna unfortunate enough to get in the way.

Besides feeding, the Oozocorns’ mucus is utilized for a number of other functions. Inherited from both the smaraslim and the acicubin, these bubblehorns use their mucus to scale vertical surfaces - a feat done more reliably by smaller, less massive species, though not too rare a sight from a few larger species. A decent quantity of mucus is also present on the bubblehorns’ soft tissues, acting as a means of water retention by providing their cuticle with a waxy sheen. Like the slime trails of snails which many bubblehorns are frequently compared to, Oozocorns leave behind prints of slimy film wherever they tread. Additionally, the mucus can be used as a deterrent for ectoparasites and can shield against some potentially damaging debris.

Likewise, the Oozocorns’ horns retain their function as chemoreceptive organs as inherited by all branches of bubblehorn, with the greatest density of such sensory cells located on the swollen tips of their horns’ branches. Because their horns function both as sensory and feeding organs, these are used to collect both olfactory and gustatory information, even simultaneously at some instances.


Diversity and Reproduction:
Originating from a single point of exodus somewhere in the Ichthy watershed, the Oozocorns have since spread throughout Darwin and Drake, and have diversified accordingly. Species inhabiting the semi-arid western coastlines of Darwin, many of them considered to be basal to the Oozocorn tree, produce more profuse mucus coats, or bury themselves in the sand with their horns for the brighter half of the day to better retain their precious water. Richness is notably greater in the humid eastern side of Darwin-Drake however, as the greater access to resources can support more active Oozocorns at a time. Species in colder climates possess similar adaptations to their temperate cousins, and diversity there is likewise limited; many species in Darwin-Drake’s montane and polar climes typically possess antifreeze compounds or exhibit brumating behaviors.

Many species of Oozocorn can be identified by the shape, color, and texture of their shells. Smaller species are somewhat shy, and tend to hide under whatever cover is immediately available, be it leaf litter or soil material; as such, their body and shell colors are typically cryptic. A few larger species, while still preferring not to be conspicuous, are slightly less skittish than their smaller cousins, and have shells that typically mimic local loose rocks.

Part of the reason for the sheer diversity of the Oozocorns is their great clutch yield, which usually contains twenty-five to sixty eggs each. With such a great quantity of offspring produced, it becomes easier for beneficial mutations to perpetuate within descending populations, accumulating enough to ensure a comparatively frequent rate of speciation. To ensure the offspring Oozocorns get to eventually pass down their mutations at all however is a different story, one that necessitates a tweak to the bubblehorns’ breeding behaviors.

Instead of a specific fertilized female Oozocorn simply depositing a slimy clutch of eggs on her mate, Oozocorn eggs are bundled within an ootheca. This ootheca is composed of the same structural compounds as the bubblehorns’ mucus, albeit now tanned into a more durable and cohesive material. Because this innovation occurred within the base of the Oozocorn tree, and thus present in all descendant species, the ootheca first developed as a means to protect the eggs from the dry conditions of the Ichthy Temperate Riparian. Consequently, the insulating properties of the ootheca proved useful in a variety of climates: in the frigid mountain slopes and polar lands, the eggs are kept consistently warm; while in humid forests, the eggs are protected from oversaturation of water, effectively the opposite problem from the ancestral anti-desiccation function.

Although the male of an Oozocorn species does indeed carry the ootheca for incubation, neither parent will devote any more devotion when the eggs finally hatch; the male simply pauses its ambling onward to drop off his fresh young, and nothing more after that. With limited parental investment and large clutch yields, Oozocorns are firmly r-strategists - betting their chances on profuse offspring in the hopes that a handful survive to adulthood. Newly-hatched Oozocorns start with sizes of around six to nine millimeters in length, and thin, unmineralized shells. As they grow and develop throughout life, they must ingest healthy quantities of minerals so that their shells can properly develop. This also has an added consequence to the genus’s diversity, as the local soil compositions directly affect the variability of shell color and texture, which can sometimes add difficulty in discerning one species from another.


Selected Species:
Thirty-five species of Oozocorn are currently described to exist, but for sake of brevity, only three will be showcased for the illustration.

To the bottom-left is M. alluvius, an Oozocorn found within the Ichthy watershed and is considered to be near the base of the genus. This bubblehorn is most active with the onset of spring floods, and between the hours of dusk to dawn. Primarily a detritophage, it typically sweeps up whatever the river washes down, but it may also snag small fauna like the [[Clickworm]] from time to time.

On the upper-left is M. erythrostemma, a smaller Oozocorn found within the Boreal and Temperate Rainforest climatic zones of Darwin. In this illustration, it exudes a vibrant threat display, advertising its candycane-like red-and-white-striped horns to potential predators such as flunejaws. This aposematic showing easily communicates the distinctive mucus it possesses, laden with a harmless, yet very unpalatable chemical.

Over on the top-right is M. aranea, another Oozocorn found in the arid and semi-arid climates of Darwin, and assumes a more predatory role. By evening, it rises from its patch in the sand, ascends into a position on an [[Arid Ferine]], and casts down a net of mucus. With its dusky-mauve coloration further obscured by the dark of night, unwary prey like the [[Yellowdundi]] and [[Woolly Xenobee]] find themselves restrained by a numbing mucus, and fail to struggle their way out of being the bubblehorn’s meal.

This post has been edited by sad-dingus (chillypaz): Aug 25 2022, 05:06 PM

Hanging Frabooballs Neokremathrostracon ssp.

Creator: colddigger
Ancestor: Hanging Frabooball
Habitat: Sagan 4 Global
Diet: detritivore, herbivore
Size: 20 cm long
Support: chitin exoskeleton mineralized with sulfur
Respiration: unknown
Thermoregulation: exothermic
Reproduction: Sexual, lay eggs into nutritive sacks and carry them under the shell


Hanging Frabooballs expanded their habitats from the cave system of the Rabid Sandstone Caves, splitting from the singular ancestral species to flourish and diversify into a wide array of species across the globe. They've lost their specialized symbiosis, useful for honing nutrient extraction after millions of years exposed to the same food source, in favor of a more generalized fermenting gut system, however the initial loss for their ancestor resulted in their body size rapidly diminishing to a quarter their initial size. The Hanging Frabooballs pack their guts with local mineral, soil, vegetation, and/or detritus and allow the microbial life that comes along with it to proliferate and break it down to create more desirable substances that the hosting fauna will absorb.

Different species may come in a wide range of colors to blend into their surroundings. Movement in their chosen feeding ground is achieved by the shifting of padded tentacles along their fused antennae, or the retraction of the antennae itself. Greater means of mobility is performed using a pair of strong arms used to push off a surface and shove or fling the Frabooball to new locations. Those species capable of feeding on toxic food sources often incorporate the substances into their tissues as a means of defense.

On their ventral side can be viewed the vestigial leg pads common to the fraboo lineage, though used for mobility in more basal species, on the Hanging Frabooballs they exist as extra tissue mainly to store water, though their excess surface aids in oxygen exchange to a degree when moist.

This post has been edited by colddigger: Aug 10 2022, 10:40 PM

Name: Arkcrafting Hookphlyer (Diluvimancerxia itenerimunitor)
Creator: OviraptorFan
Ancestor: Swift Hookphlyer (Larimancerxia ternmimmus)
Habitat: North Barlowe Tundra, Maineiac Polar Beach, Nergali Polar Beach, Maineiac Volcanic, Nergali Polar Coast, Ittiz Polar River, Ittiz Polar Riparian, Maineiac Polar Riparian, Ittiz Bog, Ittiz Salt Bog, Maineiac Salt Bog, Maineiac Polar River
Size: 80 centimeter wingspan, 20 centimeters long
Support: Endoskeleton (Unjointed Wood)
Diet: Omnivore (Gilltail, Surge Gilltail, Probing Gilltail, Marine Gilltail, Dwarf Maineiac Gilltail, Ebony Pump Gilltail, Islandball Gillfin, Marine Finworm, Common Oceanscooter, Speckled Spinderorm, Greatmouth Charybdis, Bubblerorm, Charybdis, Sticky Urphish, Bleedin Waterworm, Krillpedes, Miniswarmers, Oceanic False-Larval Sauceback, False-Larval Sauceback, Cloudswarmers, Maineiac Bubblepede, Marine Bubblepede, Marine Filtersquid, Roj, Patresidal Loppy, Quilled Slingberry berries, Chime Slingberry berries, Scraggly Swaberry berries, Dwarf Swaberry berries, Ugly Woodenberry berries, River Woodenberry berries, Tundra Goth Tree berries, Curdledberry berries, Vandriswoop Shellworm, Nomnom, Feces Shellworm, Standing Piloroot fruit, Beach Piloroot fruit, Pilonoroot fruit, Tuft Piloroot fruit, Mohawk Foi, Chunky Zoister, Bloister, Tunneling Shellworm, Numflora, Lurehum nectar, Tundra Gemshrub, Polar Orbion, Maineiac Orbion, Polar Thaworm, Helmethead Uksip, Uksor, Pioneeroots, Marbleflora, Amphibious Droopgea, Spiny Wrigum, Giant Spiny Wrigum), Weak Photosynthesis
Respiration: Active (lungs)
Thermoregulation: Heterotherm (Basking, Muscle-Generated Heat)
Reproduction: Sexual, Live Birth, Two Genders

The Arkcrafting Hookphlyer split from its ancestor, becoming increasingly intelligent in a post-mass extinction world. One noticeable change was the much larger size and wingspan of this species, which in turn meant they could tackle larger prey and also soar more efficiently. Another big difference is the fact this species has become much more generalistic in feeding habits, tackling a wide range of soft bodied prey such as gilltails or oceanscooters. When hunting aquatic prey, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyers will soar above the water, watching for movement at the surface. If they detect something and decide it is prey, they tuck their wings in and dive into the water. This is where some changes to their beak come into play, with the tips of the upper and lower bill coming together to form a point, unlike in their ancestors where they did not touch. This means the bill can sometimes spear prey if it's caught off guard, though more often it's instead snapped up to then be carried out of the water to a place where the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer can then process its catch. On land, this could potentially be a rock outcrop or a tree, while out at sea it's usually on their nests. Either way, the back part of the beak has not changed, possessing small serrations that can slice up the meal into smaller chunks to then be swallowed.

While a good portion of its diet is aquatic prey, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer has actually expanded its horizons much further, even going to land to feed on small terrestrial prey or even feed on vegetation. With that last bit, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer does go for things that are easy to digest, such as fruits and berries, but it will also feed upon soft species of flora if it can’t find those. On land, most of the small prey it can feed upon like to burrow underground, which in turn resulted in Arkcrafting Hookphlyers getting creative. As their ancestors already gathered materials to build nests in lurehums, it didn’t take that much for Arkcrafting Hookphlyers to start using these materials for other purposes. In this particular case, an Arkcrafting Hookphlyer can wait around an entrance or exit of an uksor or shellworm burrow, and jab it into anything that comes out.

Similarly to their ancestors, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer has superb vision, allowing it to spot prey or predators from great distances. This great vision is also used efficiently for nest building, as like its ancestors the Arkcrafting Hookphlyers raise their young in nests. Unlike those ancestors, however, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer no longer builds a nest within the Lurehum. Instead, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer builds their nests upon Symbioraft Diaminet rafts. While the root systems of these crystal flora can be quite dangerous, the Arkcrafting Hookphlyers use the very tops of the rafts, which puts them out of harm’s way. Additionally, these phlyers also gather various materials like sticks, bones, and other debris to build up these nests before keeping them together by secreting a sticky saliva that sets like concrete, a trait already present within their ancestors. To carry the materials needed to build these rafts, the front limbs of the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer have undergone several changes. The first big change was the development of a second nail, while another was that the first nail has given way to a proper digit of sorts. When this digit flexes, the two nails lock together, which in turn gives the phlyer a firm hold on whatever it needs to carry.

All of these adaptations mean Arkcrafing Hookphlyers are superb nestbuilders. The Symbioraft Diaminet rafts that their ancestors originally started using can now be further built upon to be truly massive. While a Symbioraft Diaminet colony only gets about 6 meters wide at the most in the wild, the constructive efforts of Arkcrafing Hookphlyers mean multiple colonies can be put together and form “super rafts” where individual Symbioraft Diaminet colonies are connected by sticks, bones, and other stuff gathered from either Barlowe or Maineiac all held together by the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer’s hardened saliva. These “super rafts” prove to be ideal nesting grounds for Arkcrafing Hookphlyers, with many individuals nesting on these structures and maintaining them. Here, predators from below the waters have to deal with the deadly root systems of the Symbioraft Diaminet colonies before they could get to the phlyers on board. Meanwhile, any aerial predators would have to face the adult Arkcrafting Hookphlyers who can deal quite a nasty bite, while any terrestrial predators that might be a threat would likely be not even allowed on these rafts in the first place.

With the safety these rafts provide, the two to three offspring born from an individual parent are well protected. When it comes to raising these young, the two parents of these youngsters will take turns between gathering food and protecting the youngsters (though the colony as a whole also provides some protection). When the young are old enough to fly, they can technically leave the colony to find other colonies or start one of their own, but it's more likely that they stick around for a least a year or two to learn essential skills how to to maintain the “super rafts” or even assist their parents with rearing the next generation.

As their ancestors pretty much only nested within the mostly aquatic lurehums, Arkcrafting Hookphlyers only nest of their "super rafts", as they provide ideal conditions for rearing young that can't be replicated on land. While Arkcrafting Hookphlyers will go to land to collect materials and feed on flora and fauna in the area, they will ultimately always return to the "super rafts".

With all the foliage either consumed by the Arkcrafting Hookphlyers or used to help build their “super raft” nesting sites, it's pretty much inevitable that these phlyers would incidentally spread the flora to other areas. Specifically, this took the form of flora native to northern Barlowe being spread to the nearby continent of Maineac. After all, the continents only separated relatively recently, with only a shallow sea separating them. Additionally, the continent of Maineac has conditions quite similar to what is seen in Northern Barlowe, being relatively cold. As such, it didn’t take long for flora brought over by Arkcrafting Hookphlyers to colonize the landmass and settle in.

Of course, all of this vegetation on the rafts means a huge banquet for any herbivore that managed to get on them, which in turn resulted in many occasions where herbivores would try to hitch a ride on these rafts. Of course, such events were quite rare, but on such grand time scales as millions of years they are bound to happen at some point. The species that usually hitch a ride on the rafts are usually tiny little critters that can burrow within the debris itself and breed quickly. Of course this meant things like the Spiny Wrigum regularly hitched a ride of such rafts, but a few other organisms such as the Nomnom would also be present. As most of the larger herbivores did not exactly like getting their feet wet, species like the Icicleback never got on the rafts, meaning the only species of larger herbivore that was common on these superafts were the Iceblaster. As Iceblasters possess thorny spines and armor plating, they were relatively decent at keeping aerial predators away from Arkcrafting Hookphlyer young. Meanwhile, their particularly small size and specialized diet of eating Numflora meant they were relatively easy to maintain on these rafts. As such, Arkcrafting Hookphlyers learned to capture the little critters and bring them onto these rafts. This pseudo-domestication (which is more accurately a case of mutualism) meant Iceblasters were extremely common on the rafts, and as such were by far the most abundant small herbivores to end up on Maineiac. Whether it was by chance or as a byproduct of being enticed upon the rafts, the couple species of herbivores that stayed on the rafts would end of on Maineiac and establish populations.

While only a few herbivores traveled on the rafts, the number of carnivores that willingly got on was almost nonexistent. Larger carnivores such as the Waxfaces were seen as direct threats to Arkcrafting Hookphlyers and their young, and thus would be driven away before ever even getting on the rafts. For most of the smaller carnivores, the rafts didn't have that much to offer them since most of their prey was not on the rafts either, plus they didn't usually like getting their feet wet. Because of this, the only carnivore that willingly got on the rafts was the Divedove, a species that naturally spent a lot of its time in water and hunted small game like the Nomnom hiding within the rafts. Due to these factors, they would be the only carnivore to actually establish populations when they either washed up onto the shores of Maineiac or abandoned the rafts once they saw the continent on the horizon and swam over.

With all these things on the rafts, it was completely natural that things on them would produce waste and die. Infact, the rafts themselves often had decaying organic matter due to flora used to build them dying and starting to rot. This all would mean a huge buffet for any detritivores that could get on the rafts. This takes the form of a few species of fois being able to colonize the continent.

As all of these new arrivals landed on the landmass in wave after wave of new arrivals over the course of a few hundred thousand years, they would in turn form whole new populations fully established in the region. With so many species colonizing the area, while in turn almost nothing from Maineiac came over to Barlowe in the opposite direction, this event came to be known as the Northwestern Barlowe Mass Dispersal Event.

-- Species Dispersal --

Here is a list of all the species spread by the Arkcrafting Hookphlyer and its "super rafts".

Tundra Gemshrub is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Numflora is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Drakolantern is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Needlevine is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Scraggly Swaberry is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Quilled Slingberry is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Ugly Woodenberry is spread into Maineiac Polar Beach and Nergali Polar Beach.
Curdledberry is spread into the Maineiac Polar Riparian.
Amphibious Droopgea is spread into the Maineiac Salt Bog.

Nomnom is first spread to Nergali Polar Beach, then spreads to Maineiac Polar Beach through their eggs and young surviving on the rafts.
Iceblaster is first spread to Nergali Polar Beach, then spreads to Maineiac Polar Beach by riding on the rafts.

Divedove is spread into Maineiac Polar River and Maineiac Polar Riparian by riding on the rafts.

Carpet Foi is spread into the Maineiac Salt Bog by riding on the rafts.
Ittiz Foi is spread into Maineiac Salt Bog and Maineiac Polar River by riding on the rafts.

Alright boys! Here is my first submission for week 23! Its a superspreader+wildcard that is extinct by modern times! Thoughts on it? Will say its been a while i've done a submission for sagan 4 and have been doing a lot of 2s2t stuff, so I may be a bit rusty.

This post has been edited by OviraptorFan: Sep 10 2022, 08:00 PM

Obscurpedes (Calcipectinator spp.)

Creator: TheBigDeepC
Ancestor: Obscurpede
Habitat: Global (Sagan 4)
Size: 0.5 – 2 cm Long
Support: Exoskeleton
Diet: Planktivore
Respiration: ???
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Asexual, Spores

The obscurpede genus group has replaced not only its ancestor, the obscurpede, but also the white obscurpede. This genus group is vital for the water table ecosysytems because they fill the niche of zooplankton in Sagan 4 within water tables. They use their pseudo-fingers to gather microbes, which they consume with their baleen mouths. Due to them lacking eyes, they use their highly sensitive antennae like a set of extra-long limbs to find their way around. Similar to their relatives, the cavepedes, the obscurpedes have long arms; though instead of having stubs for legs like cavepedes, the obscurpedes have no other legs at all; this lead to the obscurpedes needing to swiftly undulate for brief moments if they are being pursued by predators. Obscurpedes also have 9 body segments along with the head and tail, and the previously mentioned extremely long antennae. Furthermore, unlike cavepedes, some obscurpedes have transparent exoskeletons. Those with transparent exoskeletons are found in all water table ecosystems compared to others that are often restricted to certain water tables thanks to their colored exoskeletons. Like all anipedes, they have blue copper blood, which can be seen in the obscurpedes with transparent exoskeletons. They are also asexual and produce spores, allowing them to thrive in the water tables.

Name: Murky Trolrmus (Tartarattus spelaea)
Creator: OviraptorFan
Ancestor: Blind Warverine (Orthrorattus caecus)
Habitat: Badger Limestone Caverns, Darwin Water Table
Size: 2.4 meters long
Support: Endoskeleton (Jointed Wood)
Diet: Carnivore (Finear Ghastchomp, Trogato, Ambush Setapin, Blind Warverine, Ylbershpelle Bubblehorn, Flanged Bubblehorn, Tablesnapper, Cave Prickworm, Clingerpede, Cave Phibi, Snapperswimmer, young Murky Trolrmus), Scavenger
Respiration: Active (Lungs)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Sexual, Two Genders, Live Birth, Parthenogenesis

As more and more prey evolved within the Badger Limestone Caverns, the Blind Warverines would thrive, eventually starting to diversify and take new niches. This included a population that became more and more aquatic, eventually splitting off and becoming the Murky Trolrmus. Due to tackling the larger species of the caverns and having a relative abundance of food, the Murky Trolrmus has grown to over double the size of its ancestor, allowing it to better tackle its particular prey. Like all other species of Wargrat, the Murky Trolrmus’ limbs have large and prominent muscles, helping it with both anchoring itself to the rock floor in the bodies of water it resides in and with restraining prey. The large sickle claw on the innermost finger provides some additional help with both tasks as well, helping the nodent with either hooking into the flesh of a victim or lodging itself into a crevice so the creature is not swept away.

The Murky Trolrmus has made several adaptations that assist it with its aquatic lifestyle, with the biggest change being the tail having flattened laterally which makes it a decent tail fluke that helps with bursts of speed when swimming. Both pairs of feet possess some webbing, though the webbing is more prominent on the hind feet since those help the nodent with making turns when swimming in the water column. Despite all these adaptations for swimming, the Murky Trolrmus actually does not swim that much, since instead it spends most of its time just sitting in one place waiting for prey to come to it. While most nodents are either endothermic or mesothermic, the cave-dwelling Murky Trolrmus has switched to becoming an ectotherm. This change in metabolism has come with great benefits, as the nodent can go for long periods of time without oxygen or food, being about half a day for the former and as much as three months for the latter.

Having long lost the ability to see (with the eyes having degenerated to the point where they are tiny and lacking pupils), the species instead relies on the trichrome-derived whiskers on their ears and snout. With movement-sensitive cells at the base of each whisker, any significant disturbance in the water will be detected by the whiskers and get the Murky Trolrmus’ interest. To make sure there are no false alarms like a rock simply falling into the water, the nodent will wait for semi-regular disturbances to occur before starting to creep in, as that indicates the source of the disturbances is likely something of interest. As it slowly creeps its way towards the source, the Murky Trolrmus will stick out its tongue to taste the water, checking for any traces of organic matter for additional information. If the vibrations become really strong and the chemical information gathered by the tongue confirms it is a living thing, the Murky Trolrmus will quickly rush to the target. If it's something swimming around in the water, it will be quickly restrained by the powerful forelimbs so it can’t escape while the nodent will deploy its pair of large canine teeth to quickly kill the prey. If it's something on land that has come to the edge of the water to drink, the large forelimbs will play a vital role as they grab onto the target and hold on while the nodent will swim backwards to drag its helpless victim to a watery grave.

To not drown as they sit in one spot, the Murky Trolrmus’ butt nostril has developed a special valve that can seal shut and thus not allow any water in. This did mean it could not really use it to chirp, so the usage of echolocation has been lost for the most part in the species. Despite this, the nodents does still utilize sound in their lives, specifically when it comes to reproduction. After eating enough to have energy to spare, a female Murky Trolrmus will begin to use an air sac. Derived from the internal lining of the nodent's butt nostril, this air sac passes the same air from the lungs back and forth, which vibrates the chamber and then produces low frequency sounds. These create low frequency sounds that can be carried for great distances within the water table, and in turn will get the attention of male Murky Trolrmus. If an individual that picks up these sounds is receptive, they will begin to head towards the origin of the sound and frequently stop to make their own calls. During this time, the female will also release pheromones into the water, which can be tasted by the male as he approaches and thus further assist him with locating her. When the two meet, they will then copulate several times before going their separate ways.

After mating, the female will leave behind the water and crawl onto land, being one of the few times a Murky Trolrmus will ever leave the water (though both sexes are capable of doing so and will sometimes do it to rest if they have swam for long periods of time). The female’s many adaptations to life in the water make her relatively clumsy on land, though her large size means she is safe from any predators dwelling within the caves. It is only during this particular time that echolocation is ever used in the species, as the female will make sharp clicks from her butt nostril to navigate the caves and find a nice spot to rest and gestate her young. Much like their ancestor, Murky Trolrmus embryos exhibit intrauterine cannibalism, with only one or two young out of several dozen being born. By the time these young are born, they are well developed enough to fend for themselves and will leave their mother behind.

If no males respond to her signals, the female Murky Trolrmus is capable of utilizing parthenogenesis, which then creates identical clones of herself. Being able to do this means Murky Trolrmuses can still reproduce even when populations are small, allowing the population to then grow in size and increase the chances of individuals actually mating which then increases genetic diversity.

While Murky Trolrmuses will usually stay within the Badger Limestone Caves, they will regularly venture down into the Darwin Water Table to hunt down prey such as Tablesnappers or larger beakworm species. For the most part these are only temporary trips, but there are cases of youngsters looking for a place to settle down who will live full time within the water table, using whatever air pockets they can find.

Alright boys! Here one of two upcoming Warverines I have in the works! When I heard about retroactive submissions for week 23, I knew I wanted to give these wargrats some justice! Even if they may be extinct, I hope this guy and what I got coming next will make them a interesting branch related to the Neonodents! Thoughts on the submission as a whole btw?

This post has been edited by OviraptorFan: Feb 2 2023, 12:50 PM

Name: Weregrat (Ulfrmus exilis)
Creator: OviraptorFan
Ancestor: Blind Warverine (Orthrorattus caecus)
Habitat: Darwin Glacier, Darwin Tundra
Size: 2 meters long
Support: Endoskeleton (Jointed Wood)
Diet: Carnivore (Fruit Phlyer, Pink Phlyer, Polar Glasseater, Bubbleskin, Snowprint, Snohawkworm, Warf Gossalizard, Burroskunik, Woollycoat, Crested King Limbless, Genteel Tuskent, Scaled Diveskunik, Needlewing, Rosybeak Phyler, Trogagon, Climbing Korrybug, Tileback, Polar Skimsnapper, Rolling Flune, Ringtailed Ketter, Squat Limbless, Purple Phlock, Weavesnapper, Pudglyn, Egg Krugg), Scavenger
Respiration: Active (Lungs)
Thermoregulation: Endotherm (Trichomes)
Reproduction: Sexual, Two Genders, Live Birth

As they searched for food, young Blind Warverines would occasionally crawl out of the Envious Eye to the surface world. While a good portion of these would perish either to starvation, predation, or the elements, a few would manage to eke out a living and breed. Overtime, these vagrants would adapt to living outside of the caves and become a new taxon that split off from their cave-dwelling ancestors, known as the Weregrat.

In many ways, the anatomy of the Weregrat is actually quite similar to their cave-dwelling ancestors, as they translated quite well to life on the surface world. The extreme musculature of the Weregrat, once used for navigating dark caves, serves it just as well for living on the ice with the large sickle claws on the forelimbs hooking easily into both ice and flesh. The species has also regained their vision, since they no longer live within a dark cave system and thus can use the natural light of their world to navigate. Of course, living out in a frigid tundra or upon a massive glacier means it gets pretty cold, which in turn meant the Weregrat’s ancestors had to develop adaptations to tolerate said cold. One such change appeared not too long after they emerged, with the development of dark pigmentation, resulting in the skin becoming dark gray to black in coloration. This dark coloration allows the Weregrat to soak up as much sunlight as possible so it can then warm up.

To retain this heat, the Weregrat possesses a fine coat of trichomes that cover its body. These trichomes originated from the small tufts that grew on the ear tips of their direct ancestor. One major difference seen in these trichomes from their ancestor, however, is that they are now hollow. This adaptation means light will be reflected back through the trichomes and in turn allow for better heat absorption. The reflection of light is also what causes the Weregrat to appear light gray in general appearance or sometimes even completely white, though the sparser amount of trichomes on the faces means the head often looks darker in comparison to the rest of the body.

The light coloration resulting from the hollow trichomes plays into its own advantages, as it provides the Weregrat camouflage when hunting for prey. Said prey contains pretty much any large creature in its range, a result of its ancestor’s naturally opportunistic diet. To further aid with camouflage, the Weregrat will often hunt at night, where the cover of darkness means prey will be less likely to see it coming. If it gets close enough, the Weregrat will begin to sprint to its prey, their powerful forelimbs pulling it forward with great speed. Still, the Weregrat will tire quickly in a prolonged chase, and thus if it does not catch the target within the first thirty seconds the Weregrat will often give up the pursuit. If it does catch up, however, the Weregrat will use their powerful forelimbs and sheer bulk to quickly restrain the prey and pin it down. Once it’s in position, the nodent will then deploy its pair of saber teeth to deliver a killing bite to either the skull or neck. Every part of a carcass is eaten by a Weregrat, as living in a tundra or on a glacier means nothing can be wasted.

While Weregrats are no longer actively cannibalistic, they are highly territorial, with individuals often having territories that can be over a hundred square miles in total size. While a male will share parts of his territory with several females, neither sex will tolerate other Weregrats of the same sex and will immediatly fight if they encounter one another. The severity of these fights varies upon how far the two Weregrats are into one’s territory, with fights at the edges usually being minor skirmishes that last only about a minute before one of them backs down and retreats. If the pair meet deep within one’s territory, however, then it's clear the intruder wants to take over and expand its current range. In this case, the fight becomes brutal, with both individuals willing to fight to the death over the territory. If one kills the other, the victor will happily feed upon the carcass as it's a meal already there and it can provide energy while the victor recovers from their own injuries.

If a male encounters a female, meanwhile, the fight is usually more of an auditory one, with the two letting out a series of whistles and clicks from their butt nostril until one eventually retreats. This behavior changes with the arrival of spring, however, as during this time a male will actively seek out a female. At first the female will react like normal, but the male will begin to prance around her and rub his teeth together to make a loud scraping sound. If the female is impressed by the display, she will begin to also let out a series of low rumbles. Once this happens, the two will proceed to copulate and then go their separate ways.

Much like their ancestor, Weregrat embryos exhibit intrauterine cannibalism, with only one or two young out of several dozen being born. By the time these young are born, they are well developed enough to technically be able to fend for themselves. Unlike their ancestors and cousins, however, the youngsters will actually stick with their mother for about six months, as she teaches them the skills needed to navigate their frozen domain and find where prey likes to gather. By the six month mark, the youngster will have learned all the necessary skills to truly live on their own, which in turn sparks their instinct to move on and establish their own territory.


Alright boys! Here is my second and last species of Wargrat for week 23! Hope this and the Murky Trolrmus give the group the attention they deserve(as Neonodents became their own thing)! As usual, any comments and feedback will be highly appreciated!

This post has been edited by OviraptorFan: Feb 2 2023, 12:52 PM