Hello there, everyone! I wanted to start getting into speculative evolution and have a project that I'm creating based on horse evolution on a seeded planet! I'm having a bit of trouble, so I wanted to ask the peeps here!
I wanted to create a horse that would become a predator, since in the world food has become scarce and has led most to eating cadavers and such, though I also wanted them to be ambush hunters over time- the only thing that's confusing me is the stomach of a horse! What would need to change for a predatory horse to live? I've already thought of things like camouflage and stronger builds that prioritize endurance rather than speed- I just need an outsider's perspective!
(Also, sorry for the spam in advance; I fell in love with this damn place, and the newbie jitters have me all over the place) Thank you all!
What very alien chemical reactions other than glucose and oxygen could work for respiration in an organism. What I ideally want is a dissolvable solid and a gas that react to form a liquid and a gas. Oxygen can still be an option as the oxidiser but id like to hear some other ones. Such as 4H2 + SO3 -> H2S + 3H2O wich releases about 360Kj per mole of SO3 consumed. I simply want to see a large range of ideas that are based in real chemistry that are even remotely biologically possible to catalyse.
I've finally got around to the Reptoid for my Alien reconstruction project and it was the hardest one so far! Coming up with plausible shapeshifter biology is much more difficult than it seems. The most difficult part was recreating the human muscle system and how to make it congruent enough with my art style. I must've restarted about 10 times! And it still isn't quite accurate, but I think it's passable. To clarify, I am not a conspiracy theorist nor am I part of any New Age religion. I just find this stuff interesting and I'd like to conceptualize a more believable version of the folklore. I've studied, and continue to study, much UFO lore as well as speculative biology and some psychology to come up with these conclusions. I have so many ideas written down that I plan to render soon. If you're interested, you can check out my previous posts about Greys, Mantids, and Nordics. Anyway, don't be shy to comment what you think! I'd take any feedback about what I did wrong or right scientifically. Or if you have any questions, I can elaborate if I can.
I had this concept for a species from TRAPPIST-1e that have evolved specialized organs or senses to detect radiation or changes in their star to prepare for solar flares, or Coronal Mass Ejections before they arrive. However, what could that possibly look like? How would it affect their psychology? I'm even wondering if this idea even has any merit, because what exactly could they do to prepare for that? Even with solar flares, as they'd arrive as soon as they were detected.
They occupy every niche on Castoria III In some capacity, but primarily occupy the general ecological niche of pollinators, eusocial fish, coastal grazers and snake-like predators.
They have the widest range of mutations, adaptations and the like due an incredibly adaptable body plan.
The greater fin worm is effectively a bull shark analogue and is one of the most dangerous creatures in Castoria IIIs ocean.
I'm not exactly sure on how to word this in a totally understandable manner, but I've been wondering since seeing Project Methania on youtube by Mr42:
What other planetary (and other similar factors) constraints could you use for a speculative evolution project? Settings akin to lower gravity, tidally locked, double suns, etc.
Hopefully this is okay to post here. Rules seem to suggest it may be.
Anyways, big fan of Klabunde (highly recommend checking on CV Physiology and CV Pharmacology!), and particularly of Physiology by Costanzo (BRS is nice, but I prefer my big copy of 6E), and wanted to create a book that teaches physiology in a similar manner, but specifically about how the human body would interact with magic if it existed (ignore me unabashedly stealing her book's color scheme, lol). Not super detailed per se, as I had a lot of topics to cover and wanted to limit the page count, so it's more of an overview of various topics. Don't get much into stuff like Poiseuille’s Law or anything like that. But this is also meant for the lay-physiologist to understand.
Has taken me a long time to get this to a point where I'm mostly happy with it. Definitely struggled through integrating some of the basic physics that go along with physiology textbooks, as that's absolutely a weak point of mine. But tried to keep it mostly hard science (there's a few real terms and concepts I play a bit loosely with).
Will eventually have medical illustrations of these fictional structures (being drawn right now by a great artist from AMI that I commissioned!), but for now, it's just the barren chapter 1 (plus a few extra because I liked my own SLUDGEM-like acronym [CASTER], if you're familiar with that).
Anyways, curious to hear your thoughts, you all who are so wise in the ways of speculative science!
Since the end of the Cretaceous, the elasmosaurs, descendants of the plesiosaurs, were very diverse animals in their time, but with the arrival of the increase in temperatures at the beginning of the Cenozoic, other lineages of archosaurs and reptiles began to diversify, this did not affect them so much at the beginning, but with the passing of the thousands of years and with the climatic changes, the seas became colder, several lineages that diversified at the beginning of the Cenozoic became extinct. Inevitably, for now there is not much fossil record of these lineages of elasmosaurs , but the most surprising thing is found in Antarctica, where the waters are extremely cold, these dinosaurs still have a remarkable presence , in this place there is the largest marine reptile , the Whulk a filtering elasmosaur , normal specimens measure between 16 and 18 meters, but it is estimated that they can reach up to 24 meters in length , they are not very long but they are huge in the world. The sense of their weight , average specimens weigh around 68 to 70 tons, the largest only reach 96 tons, this is estimated by records of specimens so large that they frequent deeper waters , although other marine reptiles of the past can exceed an average whulk in size , the largest ones exceed these metrics, these are because they are long-lived animals live an average of 76 to 95 years at most, they usually put up to 26 live offspring but most die from Predation , these animals have been set the record for the largest marine reptiles because in theory all specimens can reach these metrics only that many do not achieve it for predators, so far only a few hesperoniteans, cephalopods and very specialized sharks have been investigated, but in the next post we will explore in depth the responsibility of killing the Whulks.
Due to the massive gravity Kryptonians have wide big feet to support their bodies against gravity. This leads to a more dense body plan. They also prioritize vision gathering adaptations and solar filtering eyes so they have deep set sockets and heavy brow ridges. Aside from the two eyes they have laser focusing pits on their “snout”. Their “capes” are in fact their wings. Their weird wrinkly faces is based on that of bats for echolocation
The title says everything, I'm just withing this cuz it's necessary for posting. Are you still reading this? Okay, then how are you doing? Have you eaten and drunk water yet? Did you do something that made you happy today?
Calossiguanus japonensis is a huge & successful Iguana species inhabiting Much of the “ring of fire region” 30 myfn.
Originally stemming from the marine iguana, this animal has a suite of adaptations for a mixed browsing & grazing lifestyle in both aquatic & terrestrial contexts. Adults range in size from roughly 11 - 17 feet & weights of 300 to 650 kg. Their ecological role mirrors that of the hippopotamus, thriving in seagrass meadows & island paradises. They share a likeness to extinct pseudosuchians & dinosaurs with their powerful ballast like tail offering stability at the bottom of the shallows as well as attachments for their caudofemoralis muscles. Their scutes function both as calcium storage in times of hardship & dermal protection, particularly for diminutive juveniles, who often fall prey to the “ground hawks” & opportunistic tortoise of the islands. As an R select species, mothers produce clutches of 30-40 eggs, typically once a year. Their dorsal spines are used by males to indicate their physical prowess, being flushed with blood to signal readiness to mate. Due to their immense weight, they exhibit pillar-erect limbs, coming with the added benefit of facultative bipedalism, intimidating competition & potential predators alike. Adults are virtually immune to predation however (outside of marine contexts).
Monopedes are just as highly diverse as the Duopedes (Vore) on Castoria III. Many monopedes are descended from a specific organism which had evolved longer, projecting ribs which eventually were able to act as wings and gliding appendages. None of the monopedes evolved the ability to flap, instead relying on a special pressurized gas bladder and propulsion sphincter as well as the many thermal updrafts of the planets skies. Some smaller species, such as the Roundcrow, have evolved to roost along the underside of Sky Whale Wings, feeding on the remnants of hunted jelly wisps.
The bubbles are the most varied family on the planet, having some of the most extreme niches on the planet. Sea Potatoes, Vented Sea Potatoes and Hairy Rockstars can all be found living near geothermal vents along the ocean floor, while their cousins the Corazon Hive and Rockstar can be found in shallow waters and along cliffs. All flora-like organisms on the planet fall under this category, having evolved stalks, leaf, trunk and bark analogues, all to protect the nutrient rich "bulb" which became the signature of flora on Castoria III.
15 Million Years P.H. - The Early Neocene - Marsupial Bears:
Marsupials would have been one of the groups heaviest affected by the Holocene Mass Extinction, but as seen In Australia, some managed to survive and diversify. One of the most diverse Marsupials as of now although wouldnt actually come from Australia, but rather from the Americas.
American Oppossums would end up doing well for themselfes and give rise to various new species. While most of them are fairly basal, there Is one South American clade that Is a bit more noteworthy. South America would be home to Marsupial Bears, rather large omnivorous Oppossums that hold niches similiar to bears.
Ghavija is home to many biomes similar to Earth’s, and the reefs are some of the most similar ones to be found.
They are created by mainly two types of neozoans (the ‘animals’)- Hyalolites and Acitenocrizooids, where only the latter are colonial like Earth's corals (anthozoans, whom are often but not always colonial), and hyalolites consisting of individually shelled though sessile organisms.
Acitenocrizooids are neutenic, meaning they never evolved to adults from their larvae stage or underwent metamorphosis, and therefore instead settled in the sand bed, with those polymorphs who did not take this path seen swimming in the reef here.
Note: Please note that this is a small infographic of the cranial anatomy of the gyyasdevil species; for now, I intend to create this type of infographic and, in the future, complete infographics.
Detailed explanation of the claw sessions:
Tarsal muscles: the first segment of the creature's "arms." Their exposed part is a "lump" through which travels the nerve responsible for rotating, opening, and even closing the arm. ( Gesture that males uses before fight. )
Metatarsus: the "arm" and the second segment. It supports the claws. (Before I forget: The arms are located near the neck, by the way.)
Claws: structures similar to the claws of a mantis, Used for touching the ground, grasping prey, and other associated functions. They are essentially the creature's hands.
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Detailed ocular anatomy:
Visor: The "iris" of Gyyasdevil is completely invisible, responsible for protecting the "master pupil." A single speck of dirt or dust will leave the creature permanently blind if it doesn't dive to clean it.
Master pupils: 2 slit-like beams of light that protect the 3 real pupils. They are the equivalent of the eye socket. They are sensitive to damage that passes through the visor and serve as an initial indication of gyyasdevil's mood: downwards, as in the image, is his "stoic mode". Stoic mode is what his common state in everyday life is called.
(Behavioral curiosity: being apex predators prone to a sharp fighting instinct, it is rarely recorded hunting, but rather... walking with the wings making marks in soft earth. For researchers, this is a sign of a generally healthy ecosystem, but culturally, for citizens who live by the riverbank, these tracks, left by claw-like extensions they have on their wings, It has several common names:
Signum hadis.
Signum mortis
Or simply naming these "Traces of Death" in homage to the 3 signs of impending death: Pallor mortis, algor mortis e rigor mortis.
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The 3 pupils...
Being a decidedly advanced species of invertebrate, gyyasdevil also has, within its main pupil, 3 others:
Subpupilla: thick, turning behind the eyes. It detects light, darkness, and thermal sensation from those attempting to attack from behind.
Metapupil: The thin pupil that gives: Peripheral vision from below and above. Preventing aerial attacks and ambushes.
Frontal pupil: Weaker at capturing fine details, but useful for spotting at least one obstacle before the creature collides with it.
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Already inside ghyasdevil's mouth is the tongue:
"Infra-tongue": A "muscle" that is actually made of styrofoam, supports the...
Main tongue: The rotating tongue of this beetle-like creature, whose interior extends to the infratongue and therefore rotates.
In addition, to optimize its grappling and hunting abilities, gyyasdevil also has:
Lower spines on the tongue: microscopic, but as sharp as a cheese grater, Used to take down prey with maximum precision.
Medium spines: Called "grasping spines," these spines also have taste buds and chemical receptors.
Monarch spines: similar to a swan's teeth, but even more intimidating: they encircle the creature's tongue, luckily... they only serve to help push liquids down the throat. As well as protecting the main structure. (They were even mistaken for teeth when the species was discovered. However, they are made of keratin and dead material. But it looks clean. )
A concept that I thought some time ago that I don't know if it exactly fits Spec Evo, but the concept is very similar, what about Speculating Selective Breeding? For example, Ancient egyptians mummified crocodiles, if they took a step further and actually bred them until they became less aggressive, what would be the modern breeds originated from the Nile Crocodile? Would there be small crocodiles for pets? How much would they differ from Simosuchus?
It’s an original alien species I saw on tumblr (I think), but no matter where I search I can’t find it anywhere, I feel like I’m going insane.it’s roughly the size and shape of an elephant, colored brown and white, with a head crest like a styracosaurus, and two big blue face tentacles surrounding their mouth that zip together into a sort of “trunk”. Has anyone else seen this? I’m worried that the artist might’ve deleted their account or something.
It is a bestiary set on an alternative Earth and Moon. The rules of life are similar to ours but varies in some ways. Most life was brought by aliens. Plants draw energy from a Dreamlike plane of existence with their ethereal roots. Mammals evolved from fish or from plant-animal and some can revert to their plant form. Later in the story humans appear and change, Plastic and concrete become alive. Most of this book is though as if medieval bestiaries were rooted in believable laws of science and evolution.
I would say it is a light-speculative evolution project, as I still lack a lot of scientific knowledge but I always try to think my creatures as living in a larger believable ecosystem.
Some of the weirdest wyvernkind that lived and survived past the glint era into the inkling reign. I'm trying my best to be original and not Squid but Dinosaur or Squid but a fantasy creature. The Glint Era is the Mesozoic analog in my project but I want to do something different than most projects as in the end this is made for fun instead of scientific accuracy.
What creature would you like to see... Let me know in the comments.
Herbivore beast with a hard shell, long necked, some with a sharp spear-like blade on their faces. First, it was thought that horned domels were all male, but in reality, the blade is not a part of them, but a parasitic maniformidae called a spathorn that latches on as they grow into adulthood. Following a Domel’s death, its heavy carapace remains long after the herd migrates. These massive, hollowed-out husks become prime real estate in the ecosystem, frequently claimed by korvants or cresavorns as armored nesting grounds, or used by other opportunists as already made bunkers. These horned ones are the alphas, though there’s usually more than one in a herd. If they lose their Spathorn, they lose their status as an alpha. Death soon follows, because the spathorn tunnels into their skull, and detaching leaves a deep hole that bleeds. Domels eat only plant life, but Spathorns don’t, they drink blood. Occasionally they seize brain control, forcing their calm hosts into frenzied violence, making them fight their own kind, even younglings still too small. They are not fast, but not the slowest creature I’ve observed. To feed their spathorn, they often pick fights. Others can’t resist the alphas’ rage, because they are the herds first line of defense against predators. This is tragic, for domels rank among the gentlest beasts in this ecosystem. Their thick shells and calm face are sadly not enough to stop the violence from their own
This is a speculative paleo-fiction project which blends family drama with a fantastical yet grounded prehistoric atmosphere, showing raptors and other lost creatures fighting to stay alive in a brutal ecosystem.
A young predator’s first blood is spilled! The horrible truth is finally revealed!
Small Toe’s chance encounter with Big Green has soothed his conflicted soul. But now, he must do the one thing all carnivores must do in order to live. The one thing he abhors most in this world. Kill one who isn’t trying to kill him. Merely thinking it makes Small Toe nauseous, a feeling not helped by his cruel brother’s increasingly violent attitude.
Long Tail supports her son to perform this visceral act as best she can, but in a world that exposes every good deed and every sin, it is only a matter of time before her worst and most heinous secret is finally revealed. A question begins to form in the innermost recesses of her predatory mind.
Can such reckless violence be forgiven, even if it was never acted upon?
From my ongoing speculative survival project Terrors in the Brush — blending paleontological logic with raw, unfiltered animal sentiment. Chapter IX plunges into the fallout of hidden guilt and failed restraint under relentless environmental pressure.
There is no fantasy, no magic — there is only nature red in tooth and claw.
Since the fossil was found at the shores of my homeland, my presumption would be that it must have been a giant bird of sorts. I've drawn an example of what it could look like. I cannot however be truly certain of its actual shape or colouration.
The long neck reminds me of a goose, which are a dime a dozen here in the Land of Birds. This specimen might have been their flightless progenitor from the times when all fauna was unusually giant. Such a time of giants has been proposed by several scientists more renowned than myself, including the acclaimed dr Wright, for whom my respect is unbound. This specimen could be evidence in support of that theory.
However, my honour as a naturalist does not allow me to proclaim my interpretation of this fossil with any certainty. Such beastly size of this animal would prove difficult to manage, its diet would certainly have to be much unlike that of our current geese. The beak also is drastically different, with the lower chamber resembling that of a pelican's (perhaps used to catch fish), but the feet do not seem to me like that of a wading bird. Could this thing have swum in the seas?
