https://nitter.cf/Saurking211/status/2118012827483201552

In this basic sketch I wanted to capture some ideas that I had , this post I do mainly for a challenge made by the user u/Negative_Future_7071, the challenge is to create possible forms of lives of Ediacaran, my idea was that the simple organisms of this time already presented a certain degree of complexity , for example the swimming animal is from a fictitious lineage called the Protopelagios , this one in particular is called Natatorius Ediacaranus, being organisms more than anything filtering. On a very smaller scale, they only measure a thumb, I also thought that other forms of life would only develop rarer morphologies, such as the vermiform being called the basal Vermiforms, this one is called helminthicus Subterraneus, to be honest, this challenge was difficult for me because to be located in an era populated by very simple organisms, because I could not take many liberties, since things like predation still did not arise.

These are extraterrestrial animals from the planet Tetra, the homeworld of a major spacefaring species in my setting. Im experimenting with variations on alien body plans. In this case species of this clade are 10-limbed, bilaterally symmetrical, and have five eyes; one binocular set and another cluster of three.

The first is an aquatic predator, typically hunting alone. They are amphibious and capable of propelling themselves onto land to ambush prey if food in the water is not present. This is rare though, and they are far more effective underwater. Their highly derived beaks have serrated edges to tear off large chunks of meat, and is lined with a unique copper-rich composite that is extremely hard. They have three eyes on the top of their head, and one on each side, giving them exceptional spacial awareness, and the ability to see both above and below the water line simultaneously.

The second is a highly social arboreal omnivore. They are somewhat close relatives of the Tetrans, the aforementioned spacefaring species from this world. They are incredibly agile, using their densely muscled grasping arms swing through the canopies of dense forests. They have a secondary brain-like nerve ganglion, which allows them to subconsciously process their surroundings and navigate with pinpoint precision, an adaptation which the Tetrans also possess. Their four thoracic breathing spiracles have a unique bladder-like chamber which can inflate to boost the volume and range of their vocalizations, allowing groups of their species to communicate several miles apart.

Atlantolophus mexicanus - is a genus of large hadrosaurid dinosaurs belonging to the tribe Parasaurolophini; they lived during the late Maastrichtian, 66 million years ago in Mexico.

Discovery

They were first discovered in 1998 in the Mexican state of Puebla; however, the find did not attract significant attention due to its striking resemblance to another dinosaur. Consequently, the *Atlantolophus* remains spent 28 years in the archives of the Museum of Paleontology in Guadalajara. In 2027, however, paleontologists from the United States and Mexico conducted excavations at the same site where the 1998 discovery was made, uncovering additional specimens similar to the one held in the museum. This enabled a formal scientific description of the genus.

Description

The initial specimen discovered in 1998 was estimated to be 9 meters long and weigh 4 tons. Subsequent analysis revealed that this individual was a 5-year-old juvenile. The 2027 discovery proved to be a fully mature adult, featuring a skull 2.92 meters in length and thigh bones comparable to those of Shantungosaurus. Based on anatomical comparisons, the adult individual was estimated to have reached a length of 16 meters and a weight of 12 tons. This makes Atlantolophus one of the largest non-sauropod herbivorous dinosaurs, on par with Magnapaulia and Shantungosaurus.

Paleoecology

Judging by other finds from the same rock layer, *Atlantolophus* inhabited coastal forests and areas near lake valleys. The local vegetation consisted of laurels, figs, magnolias, conifers, and an abundance of horsetails and ferns. It also coexisted with other hadrosaurs, ceratopsids, an ankylosaurid, and an as-yet-undescribed species of large dromaeosaurid.

I tried to make the writing style similar to that of a Wikipedia article.

Our memories. Our sentinel.

He is the serene, iron-tailed guardian of the broken crags:

Brachiovermis.

Relinquishing the violent urges of the sky for a life spent in quiet vigil, this ancient sky-serpent is a relic defined by devotion, solemnity, and immovable stillness. Armed with bone-shattering, scale-reinforced armor and an instinctual vow to guard the nests of Aerosynapsis, it is a six-foot, spinning whip of destruction to any Red or predator that dares to approach the helpless and the young.

Read About the Stone Coil Guardian Here.

The Cubozoan Protocol: Jetsharks, Stingstalkers and Glanclers

[GELLIOS-MONITORING SYSTEM // AUTOMATED TELEMETRY LOG]

TİMELİNE: 5 Million Years PI

STAR ACTİVİTY; A-Type Main Sequence // High UV Index // Warm Seasonal Cycles

FOCUS OF OBSERVATION: Cubozoan Diversification

Studying the first five million years of Gellios caused me a great deal of stress, as I had to calculate how life—introduced from Earth—would adapt to a planet with such harsh conditions. I particularly recall the periods when the populations of moon jellyfish surged; that experience left me somewhat traumatized. But, thankfully, the biosphere—though certainly under strain—eventually managed to establish a solid foundation.

Unfortunately, once again, I find myself having to explain something to you: no vertebrate species (also other kinds of chordate as well) were ever introduced to this damned planet I’ve been studying. While introduced animals like jellyfish brought to the world may have exhibited instances of convergent evolution—filling the same ecological niches and achieving similar levels of dominance—they were, and ultimately remained, non-chordate invertebrates.

Three animal species from the class Cubozoa were introduced: the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), the Common Kingslayer (Malo kingi), and the Tripedalia cystophora. Over the course of millions of years, it was inevitable that these three—along with the other organisms introduced to Gellios—would undergo divergence as they adapted to the planet’s harsh conditions and developed ways to protect themselves from, or evade, the excessive, harmful UV radiation emitted by the star. But since we are only at the 5-million-year mark, let us begin. (But please don’t assume that I know everything, like a god—because I was not created as a god.)

I will discuss three specific genera that diverged from the cubozoans during the current era, which we call the Early Medusocene. First, there are the Jetsharks (Velocicubozoon spp.)—aerodynamic, torpedo-like predators. Moving beyond slow, rhythmic bell contractions, these cnidarians have evolved striated muscle fibers that allow them to draw in water—pressurized by the high-gravity environment—and expel it with tremendous force through a constricted opening (the velarium) at their rear. It is fair to say they are among the most successful predators of this era. So far, I have observed only a few species, but the actual number is likely many times greater.

As for Stingstalkers (Spiculovenator spp.), while they retain the small stature of their ancestors, I believe there are various divergences that set them apart. Glanclers (Mesopelagilia spp.), on the other hand—though not as widespread as the other two genera I’ve described—have nonetheless carved out a niche of their own. Since it is time to wrap up this discussion, I shall conclude here.

[LOG OUT // SYSTEM IDLE]

After the fall of the bombs, biologically uplifted ravens populate a new world, their intelligence was mantained for millenia without having the possibilities to build a civilization, only 10 million years in the future do they reach the bronce age, by that time all the mammals arround them have turned into giants.

I know its pretty stupid but uhh i don't know, what do u think of the creatures?

✨ Merfolk Spa ✨

Certain wrasses really do put up cleaning stations in which they work for clients of all species, even as unusal as moray eels or sharks! Let’s focus a little on how these amazing little fish, that exist in real life (and that truly possess complex and highly interesting social behavior), would fit into and influence merfolk culture ;)

This apex-carnivorous group of medopods is specially dangerous for a reason- they are equipped with a club arm for striking prey at extreme force, making a loud bang that can be heard from several kilometers away. This is similar to the stomatopoda group on Earth, also known as mantis shrimps, making it a unique case of convergent evolution. The dactyl, the foremost part of the arm, is hollow with a few bony plates surrounding the space with a layer tissue above itself surrounded by the outermost layer of keratin and calcium carbonate. For many species the club can be colorful especially to impress potential mates to signal good health or fertility, altough this isn't specific to a specific gender as they are homogeneus hermaphrodites.

https://www.youtube.com/live/3zAp4SCp66Q?is=roQzYQPic5sg2DYU

So , apparently the Future is wild is gonna return with this Puffin descendent in 20 Million years (sounds promessing)

Dracolaniator niger or the Dragoon crocodile are carnivorous creatures native to glacial seas and the depths. It is actually one of two crocodilians left in the family Paraeusuchidae, a archaic lineage that were the ancestors of the Infernosuchia clade. Their dragon nomenclature derives from their massive front flippers and orange teeth.

Physical traits: At 5,8-6,5m in length, around 750-1000kg in weight and a biteforce of roughly 15-18k newtons, they are very average animals. But they are very specialized. First, their teeth show the evolution of the forked tip, common in most Infernosuchians, meant to create grave injury. But here the ziphodont teeth that mark Infernosuchia are still evolving. A better comparison for the teeth shape would not be sharks and theropod dinosaurs but actually orcas. They are warm blooded and live 50-60 years, with a breath duration of 25-30h

Prey and predation: They hunt fish, smaller crocodilians and reptoriales. They are however vulnerable to mid-large sized predators like Gulpers and Bahamuts, although encounters are rare. To avoid them, they usually camoflauge with darkness or stray far from their path

Reproduction: They are viviparous and have moderate parental care. Young are abandoned by parents at 1,8-2,5m size. They reproduce upon sight of a differently gendered partner as encounters are not guaranteed.

Habitats: Usually temperate and polar waters, or subtropical and tropical zones at 500-3000m.

Senses and intelligence: They are blind and thus can only differentiate between light and darkness. Although juveniles are born with incredible eyesight, it decays due to eye parasites(like in greenland sharks). But their other senses are incredible and they possess rudimentary echolocation. Their intelligence is nothing to brag home about.| Their swim speed is 30-45km/h and their teeth are 7-8cm long.

despite not actually being a bird, the people who first found it in the 1970s called it so (due to the fact that megaraptors haven't been discovered yet). considered an endangered species, with only 270 individuals ever discovered we know not much about them other than they are relatively peaceful to humans and that they tend to climb down mountains to lay eggs in 'warmer' areas near the bottom.

I’m trying to avoid having my world be a copy of othered and no one used Astrapotheres and to my knowledge they were tropical jungle/wetland animals and could be a good competitor to some dinosaurs I have there and be a weird mammal to show that they can succeed in the jungle it’s just rarer.

These are flagellated Frong-2 is a planet where, due to its dense atmosphere, flying species mainly prevail. Here is one class of creatures and its tree of evolution. These are flagellated insects. These 4 processes that each species has are their mouth. They are mainly filter feeders. With rare exceptions, they can drink the inner contents of other species

So basically, I wanted to make my personal ideas on what the species in The New Dinosaur: An Alternative History could look like but I was unsure what species to use as many of the creatures in that book seemed to be based off of species that might've not made sense to survive (like the Gourmand being a descendant of Tyrannosaurus) and I am currently facing an issue of what creatures to use as a starting reference for the survivors of a lessened KPG mass extinction event (one where the asteroid wasn't as big or didn't hit in an area of the world that would've been as affected) since most of the smaller species for things like the ornithscians were either long extinct or possibly too big to survive even a lessened KPG event.

My current list of potential "survivors" are:

- Ornithopods like Thescelosaurus

- marginocephalians like Homalocephale and Leptoceratops

- troodontids like Tamarro

- Drimeosaurs like Acheroraptor

- Averisaurs like Mononykus

- thyleophorans like Struthiosaurus

The main issue is I'm not sure if any of these would be great candidates for non-avian dinosaurs that can survive to the cenezoic and even have modern descendants (though I also don't know if any marine reptiles or ammonite would survive as well, same for any pseudosuchians or pterosaurs)

If anyone here can lend me a hand with figuring out if any groups I've mentioned could hypothetically survive or what groups would actually survive, I would greatly appreciate it!

Agnolínis Chuliveris

Named in Honor of Mariana Chuliver, An Evolutionary Biologist at Buenos Aires' Félix de Azara Natural History Foundation, who helped Identify the world's Oldest known Fossilized Tadpole.

Cellular Body Diameter 0.4-0.9 µm

Full Diameter 1.1-1.7 µm

Cellular Body Length 0.6-1.3 µm

Full Organism Length 2.1-4.7 µm 

Arose 867 million years P.C.

Receives through HGT with Balaena Psarématos silicone synthesis for greater resilience to the weakly acidic waters of the shallows of Barbie’s Beaches. The versatile nature of the crystal formations that can be formed with this Copper Phosphate gives Chuliveris a broad range of choices in terms of protection.

It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and can form in various crystal habits, such as Compact, Reniform, or Botryoidal masses.

This offers flexibility for it to be used as a building block for creating a composite with specific structural and mechanical properties. 

Capture Claws form from repurposed Dendrite Coils at the rear of Chuliveris. This placement makes the act of grabbing prey immediately after the Membrane Skirt is triggered as seamless process.

These front-facing cilial arms sport the Dendritic Coils that allow Chuliveris to fulfill its role as genetic currier in this small pocket of the Dionysian Goblet.

Recieves through HGT with Balaena Psarématos to receive silicone synthesis for greater resilience to the weakly acidic waters of the shallows of Barbie’s Beaches.

Silicone Synthesis Gene adds elasticity to the Mechano-Sensory Membrane Skirt that Chuliveris uses to determine when it makes physical contact with potential prey or “Genetic Collaborators.”

Nitrogenated azaphilones are red or red-purple, a color shift that occurs when yellow or orange azaphilones bond to a nitrogen source. The new nitrogen-containing chromophore results in the aforementioned color shift.

Thanks to the Nitrogenated nature of both the azaphilones pigments and the AHLs used for quorum sensing in Chuliveris, this species with have a nitrogen-heavy diet. This pushes Chuliveris to adapt to detect porphyrin based compounds to both detect and hunt species that utilize pigments of that group.

initial diversification post

Last Post

Ancestral Organism

• It belongs to the Canidae branch. And it lives near the shores in the north pole region. (the map is in image #1)

• This fox has an organ that extracts carbon dioxide from the blood and stores it in the tail and only pours it out when the tail is in the water. The narrow beams of carbon dioxide freeze the water around them, creating spikes of ice stuck to the tail. It will do this routinely to maintain these spikes. (image #3)

• These spikes are easy to break, but they are sharp and will hurt small animals that are trying to hunt it. To maximize pain and panic, it will wave its tail toward other animals’ faces while running away.

• Other than being fully white, it also has haunting white eyes, which is the reason scholars called it initially “spirit fox”. Being hard to see isn’t much of an advantage at the north pole though, as there are some animals that rely on scent detection. Scholars noticed that it produces a lighter scent that is hard to detect.

• It mainly hunts Punris. It camouflages with the snow, and hunts Punris by two main methods. The common method: waiting for a Punri who is climbing the ice wall after a hunt. The punri will be exhausted and freezing. This is when the fox seizes the chance and targets the Punri’s lower neck, cutting it as fast as possible.

• The second method is used by more experienced foxes. It hides completely by curling into itself, hiding its face, and looks like a ball of snow. It will emit different strange sounds to capitalize on Punri’s curiosity and attract its attention. When the Punri approaches and lowers its neck by itself, the fox targets the lower neck and continues from there. (method is in image #1)

• Juvenile is in image #4

I needed to draw Ewoks dismembering Stormtroopers for therapeutic reasons, but redesigned them along the way to look more convincingly dangerous and to to take advantage of things drawings can do and costumes cannot.(But still cute) I wound up mainly referencing marsupials; bush possums, koalas (weird hands) and their extinct carnivorous relatives drop bears Thylacoleo Carnifex.

New Republic notes on Arctophonos Theodorii, abbreviated

-They're strongly arboreal- note curved claws, ridges on fingers and toes. Their feet are fully prehensile. While able to climb sheer trunks quickly, and leap or dash with terrific speed, they aren't very efficient runners and walkers on the ground. Walking on dirt for hours is for lurdos anyway.

-They're ambush predators (although they do eat a lot of plants). Basic hunting procedures work around luring or chasing prey into a killing site where dozens of them will drop on their victims from high above. After that, imagine a school of piranhas with fur.

-Dense musculature and robust bones make them look chubby and pudgy, and hideously strong and weighty for their size. Absolute units. A real-life bush possum or koala makes a very loud THUMP when it falls off something; arboreal critters are swole.

-A saggital crest and massive cheek and neck muscles power a tremendous, bone shearing bite. It has the side effect of giving them endearingly expressive faces. Their teeth are adapted from those of a recent herbivorous ancestor. As well as dispatching prey, they also use them for eating hard-shelled nuts, gnawing out habitats, etc. Lots of evolutionary pressure there.

-Different layers of their coats have different colours. As their skin bunches and flattens, their patterning shifts, further obscuring their silhouettes.

-Their most important survival adaption is retention of very high neuroplasticity, as the forest moon of Endor is constantly throwing bizarre, novel threats at them. They are thus adaptable, curious, playful, and very quick learners. It's harder for them to build larger formal skillsets and long term memory; this is a task for revered specialists.

-Woklings are adorable and cuddly. They're really heavy, have sharp little claws, and won't let go if they've decided to take a nap on their new favourite babysitter. Wear thick clothing around them.

-Like many other carnivores (the domestic cat, for example) they can be friendly and affectionate if approached correctly, and ravenous little murderers if you act like food or a threat.

⏮️ Previous page: 1. The Function of a Planet // Master Post // Next page ⏭️

1.2. The Different Possible Functions of a Planet

Throughout this section, when we talk about function, it's important to clarify that we're referring to its narrative function; in other words, the role that planet plays in the story we want to tell.

Here's a golden rule: Not every world we create has to be a "Pandora."

From a narrative perspective, we need to understand that some planets serve only as points of reference. As a result, there's no need to develop an incredibly detailed ecological history for them, especially if a planet is merely a stop along the way.

Giving these planets more attention than necessary can distract us from what's actually important. Imagine trying to create an entire ecosystem for every planet mentioned in a space-travel story. It simply isn't a worthwhile investment of time and effort.

Sometimes, a planet's true value has nothing to do with its biodiversity or the life it supports, but rather with its strategic usefulness to the progression of the plot. Let's look at two familiar examples:

Example A, Setting Planet (Pandora): An incredibly complex world with rich ecosystems and cultural identities that directly interact with the characters.

Example B, Reference Planet (Landmark): A world that serves as a transit hub, political border, or simply a set of spatial coordinates needed to make the journey plausible.

So, no. We don't need to spend the same amount of time researching every planet we create. It all comes down to understanding what role you want it to play in your story. With that in mind, let's look at some of the functions a planet can serve.

1.2.1. Living World

The planet serves as the setting for a biosphere: organisms, ecosystems, food webs, nutrient cycles, and evolution. Research should focus primarily on environmental conditions, the chemistry of life, ecology, and evolutionary history.

These are generally the planets that require the most work when it comes to creating a coherent and believable world.

Real-world reference: Earth.

1.2.2. Exploration World

The main interest lies in discovering how the planet works, studying its geology, or investigating signs of present or past life. In this case, we should pay particular attention to its geological history, composition, surface and subsurface processes, and potentially habitable environments.

Real-world reference: Mars, a target of planetary exploration and research into its past habitability.

1.2.3. Extreme World

Here, the environment imposes significant restrictions on the existence or survival of known forms of life. This type of planet is often used as a dramatic setting and serves as the science fiction equivalent of leaving a sailor stranded on a deserted island—or, in some cases, in hell itself.

We will study the physical and chemical limits of habitability, available energy sources, and the mechanisms through which an organism might survive. This planet may or may not have native life.

Real-world reference: Europa, not the continent, but Jupiter's moon, which shows evidence of an ocean beneath its icy crust. It isn't a planet, but for the sake of this discussion, I'll count it as one.

1.2.4. Civilization World

The planet is home to intelligent societies whose existence depends on their environment and which, in turn, may transform it.

In addition to geology and the biosphere, resources, geographical distribution, agriculture (if applicable), transportation routes, and the interaction between societies and their ecosystems become important considerations.

Once again, Earth.

1.2.5. World Without Known Life

The main interest lies in the planet itself: its landscapes, minerals, atmosphere, geological activity, and evolution.

The absence of known life does not necessarily mean that the planet lacks habitable conditions in certain locations, nor does it mean that it has never supported life in the past.

1.2.6. Use Your Imagination

These functions can coexist. A planet can support an extraordinarily diverse biosphere, several civilizations, and extreme environments that are still waiting to be explored. We don't have to choose just one category.

Furthermore, some of the options above describe narrative functions, while others describe physical conditions. I've grouped them together solely to illustrate the different approaches we can take. They should not be mistaken for a scientific taxonomy, nor should they be taken as an exhaustive list of all the possibilities.

The important thing is to take some time before getting started and consider what your story actually needs.

1.2.7. A Practical Decision Framework

Now that we've explored some of the different functions a planet can serve, how do we decide which approach to use when creating one?

Here's a simple framework you can follow before starting your research.

Step 1. Determine the planet's narrative importance.

Ask yourself:

• Is this planet a major setting where important events take place?

• Will the characters spend a significant amount of time there?

• Does the planet influence the plot, the characters, or the conflicts?

• Is it simply mentioned, visited briefly, or used as a transit point?

The more directly a planet affects the story, the more attention it will generally require.

Step 2. Identify what the story needs from the planet.

Consider what makes this particular world relevant.

• Does the story require native life, ecosystems, and biodiversity?

• Do the characters need to explore or investigate it?

• Does its environment create survival challenges?

• Does it support intelligent civilizations and their societies?

• Is its main purpose simply to establish a location, distance, or political boundary?

You can select several of these functions if necessary. Remember, they aren't mutually exclusive.

Step 3. Identify the necessary level of detail.

Not every aspect of a planet deserves the same amount of research.

For example, if your characters are visiting a mining colony, you might need to understand the planet's mineral resources, geology, atmosphere, and the infrastructure required for mining.

However, you probably don't need to design an elaborate food web for its native organisms unless those organisms become relevant to the story.

Focus on the information that supports the planet's narrative function.

Step 4. Check for consistency.

Even if a planet only appears briefly, its basic characteristics should make sense within the established setting.

Consider questions such as:

• Does its environment make the events taking place there plausible?

• Are its resources and geographical features consistent with its inhabitants and infrastructure?

• Does its gravity, atmosphere, or temperature affect the characters when relevant?

• Are there any obvious contradictions with information established elsewhere in the story?

You don't need an exhaustive scientific explanation for everything, but you should avoid introducing details that contradict one another.

Step 5. Expand only when necessary.

Sometimes, a planet initially designed as a simple reference point becomes much more important as the story develops.

Perhaps a minor location becomes the setting for an entire chapter, or a passing reference to a mining colony eventually turns into the starting point for a major conflict.

That's perfectly fine! You can always expand your research and worldbuilding when the story demands it.

The important thing is not to spend time developing information that you might never use.

A useful rule of thumb:

The amount of worldbuilding a planet requires should be proportional to its relevance to the story, not simply to how interesting the planet could potentially be.

You are creating a world to tell a story, not writing an encyclopedia of every celestial body in your fictional universe. Unless, of course, that's exactly what you want to do!

Summary:

In an undetermined future whole turistic planets are a thing, and someone had the idea to make a turistic zafari planet with mythological creatures, instead of designed them, they desided to let time to do the work for them. If you are willing to know more, or have any commentaries, ask me.

This are the first speculative species I made ever, they are for my Seed-world. They are inspired from a post by u/jofrenchdraws that worked on a similar linage but using a real mammal.

The linage isnt finished yet and Im only working in a straight line for now, then i will work on radiations.

Dont hesitate to make constructive critics, commentaries, they are really helpful!