Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
SPORE: Public Ecosystem; An Evolution Project
Topic Started: Apr 29 2009, 04:13 PM (2,624 Views)
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
This is a Spore project which will involve creations from fellow members of the forum.

Terrence of Chance and I both combined our project ideas together in order to make this. He too will be involved in running the project.

This post keeps track of the ecosystem in which the Spore creatures will evolve. The post will be updated by me in 'generations'. Between updates anyone can edit one creature from each lineage and post it for voting. You can choose from creatures in the first post only to edit.

Here are the constraints Terrence of Chance put forward when it comes to editing a creature:

1 Major change: The addition of an entirely new limb/part, or the subtraction of the same.
2 Medium changes: This includes the replacement of one like part with another *IE, eye for an eye,* and the repositioning of currently existing parts and limbs,
3 Minor changes: The resizing and morphing of currently existing parts, limbs, and the torso.
2 texture modifications: Includes either changing the color or the texture on any of the creature's paint settings.

Here are a few extra rules I have to add:

1) No mods - this is just to make it fair for people who choose not to use them.
2) Only modify creatures in the first post.
3) Explain your creature's niche in its description (what it eats, where it lives, its role).
4) We ask you not to use parts from cell stage, parts from cute and creepy or exoskeleton parts. This is so that people who only have creature creator can also participate.
5) When making a vote, if you can provide an explanation as to why you chose a certain creature that would be great.

If you already know how to save PNGs and open them in Spore, skip this part in italics. To edit a creature, Find the picture of the one your have chosen and right-click, then save image (or save as). Open Spore or Creature Creator in windowed mode, and open the creature creator moddeling stage. Drag the PNG file you saved into the stage. The creature should appear ready for editing.

Here is the ecosystem:

Posted Image

"A narrow river valley, that the species had stumbled into. Parts of the valley are flooded and marshy, but there is plenty of tall grasses, and a few low-lying berry bushes. The walls are steep and craggy, making it hard for creatures to climb out, but also difficult for other creatures to invade."

Creatures:



Medium Grassland Insectivore *

Garurroi - From Akairoi

Posted Image

This strain of the Akairoi has discovered that GrassSnippers make for good eats. Thought it will still eat seeds and grasses, the majority of it's diet is insectivorous, including Grass-kinds. It has developed smell-receiving feelers on it's head to track the chemical trails left behind by it's prey, back to their nest. When an individual finds a nest, it raises it's enlarged tail fin to signal the rest of it's pack to come and feed.
Prey: Insects and members of the Grass lineage



Medium Grassland Seed/Insectivore



Akairoi

Posted Image

A small herding creature that eats seeds, grasses, and when it can find them, insects of varying sorts. Despite it's odd frame, it's flexible spine allows for bursts of speed.



Medium Grassland/Shrubland Seed/Insectivore



Snatchage - From Akairoi

Posted Image

It is capable of quick, caterpillar-like movement but its main skill is patience. It waits around places where there are lots of arthropod prey, with its neck craning over. Its neck is so strong and flexible it can lash out at prey at lightning speed.



Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore



Zinairoi - From Crimairoi

Posted Image

It has a more developed horn, and longer neck muscles to reach higher shrubs.



Small Grassland Herbivore



Grass Grazer - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

The mouthparts have become more adept and efficient at cutting and consuming grass. Due to predation, they now leave behind less of a chemical trail, but still store plenty in their tail to spurt as a deterrent at predators. Antennae have become larger to compensate for smelling the reduced trails.



Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore



Grass Snapper - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

They grow a little big bigger due to increased predatorism. Also, their scent gland has turned into a full-on acid spitter.



Small-Medium river Detrivore



Dreichub - From Chubri

Posted Image

A somewhat specialized detritus-feeder. The nozzles on it's undersides have been developed to not only to maneuver better in the streams, but also to blow detritus matter from the river bottom up into the water, where it can then feast at it's leisure. This strain no longer ambushes prey, and is content living on free-floating river matter.



Small-Medium River Ambusher/Detrivore



Chubri

Posted Image

They lurk in the rivers that runs through the valley, and eats detritus or ambush small prey from the riverside.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



Small-Medium river herbivore/detrivore



Cupri - From Chubri

Posted Image

These creatures live in the rivers that run through the valley. They eat mostly detritus and water plants. Their belly feet help it stick to rocks in fast currents.



Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore



Byunchu - From Ganshu

Posted Image

Its body has grown more streamlined while still staying flat enough to avoid detection in the marshes. Fleshy things on the back have turned into a whiptail.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



---------------------------------
---------------------------------

GENERATION 3

---------------------------------
---------------------------------

Post your entry in this topic with the description of its niche as the original PNG file. Once there have a been a few entries I will declare a deadline. Remember, you want to evolve something that will be able to survive in the current ecosystem. Have Fun! :D

Terrence of Chance also put together this really neat evolution tree! It's a bit big, so here's the link.
Edited by KayKay, Jun 3 2009, 03:29 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Replies:
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
i am fine with votes starting today but can you do a creature list it would be much easier too decide what too vote for if we had a list about what shares what niche and stuff like that?
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
That's what she did for the last gen, just give her a bit of time to get everything together, and she'll post in the same format. Y'can't rush these things.

BTW ATEK, I've discovered that you can bypass the entire photo-hosting problem. At the bottom of the post writing box, there's an 'attachments' slot. simply select pictures of your creatures to attach to your post. Once posted, other people can open them and view/save them. To demonstrate, I've attached the thumbnail of last gen's Smirnoi. Just click it to see.

Nothin' stoppin' ya now, ATEK! How bout you join us in Gen 3?
Attached to this post:
Attachments: 2q8u269.png (20.58 KB)
Edited by Terrence of Chance, May 9 2009, 07:52 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
So sorry for the delay! My little brother came over to stay so I had to spend some time with him.

I'm editing this post now, so it'll soon have the list on it.

Notes: Most of the new species that evolved this generation managed to escape competition by adapting to different niches from one another. Those niches that need no vote are marked with an asterisk.



Medium Grassland Insectivore *

Garurroi - From Akairoi

Posted Image

This strain of the Akairoi has discovered that GrassSnippers make for good eats. Thought it will still eat seeds and grasses, the majority of it's diet is insectivorous, including Grass-kinds. It has developed smell-receiving feelers on it's head to track the chemical trails left behind by it's prey, back to their nest. When an individual finds a nest, it raises it's enlarged tail fin to signal the rest of it's pack to come and feed.
Prey: Insects and members of the Grass lineage



Medium Grassland Seed/Insectivore *

Akairoi

Posted Image

A small herding creature that eats seeds, grasses, and when it can find them, insects of varying sorts. Despite it's odd frame, it's flexible spine allows for bursts of speed.



Medium Grassland/Shrubland Seed/Insectivore *

Snatchage - From Akairoi

Posted Image

It is capable of quick, caterpillar-like movement but its main skill is patience. It waits around places where there are lots of arthropod prey, with its neck craning over. Its neck is so strong and flexible it can lash out at prey at lightning speed.



Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore

Crimairoi

Posted Image

Smaller hooves and lengthened body make for a faster sprinter. Although still omnivorous, it is beginning to graze on taller plants. A single horn has developed on it's head.



Zinairoi - From Crimairoi

Posted Image

It has a more developed horn, and longer neck muscles to reach higher shrubs.



Small Grassland Herbivore

Grass Snipper

Posted Image

Its mouth parts are seperate and work independantly of one another. It grazes almost constantly, except when breeding. It builds its nest from grass.



Grass Grazer - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

The mouthparts have become more adept and efficient at cutting and consuming grass. Due to predation, they now leave behind less of a chemical trail, but still store plenty in their tail to spurt as a deterrent at predators. Antennae have become larger to compensate for smelling the reduced trails.



Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore

Grass Hand - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

It uses its two pincers not only for feeding but also for building nests. Their diet spans a wide range of plants, from grasses, to herbs and shrubs.



Grass Snapper - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

They grow a little big bigger due to increased predatorism. Also, their scent gland has turned into a full-on acid spitter.



Small-Medium river Detrivore *

Dreichub - From Chubri

Posted Image

A somewhat specialized detritus-feeder. The nozzles on it's undersides have been developed to not only to maneuver better in the streams, but also to blow detritus matter from the river bottom up into the water, where it can then feast at it's leisure. This strain no longer ambushes prey, and is content living on free-floating river matter.



Small-Medium river herbivore/detrivore *

Cupri - From Chubri

Posted Image

These creatures live in the rivers that run through the valley. They eat mostly detritus and water plants. Their belly feet help it stick to rocks in fast currents.



Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore *



Byunchu - From Ganchu

Posted Image

Its body has grown more streamlined while still staying flat enough to avoid detection in the marshes. Fleshy things on the back have turned into a whiptail.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages

------

My vote: Grass Snapper
Edited by KayKay, May 13 2009, 01:59 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Grass Hand is my vote.

and thanks for finding that out i will try too join up soon but i will not be super reliable.

i only have too ask my parents because they are big on security but i bet it will be fine lol.

i hope too join soon though i am not sure which parts are from the version of the creature creator you want too use/imatate.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
Hey Kay, are we not including any base species? Are they in different niches from the rest?

Speaking of niches, wow, I didn't think we'd have so many survivors all at once. The only competing ones are the two Grass-kinds, eh? GrassSnapper has my vote, because to be honest, it appears to be more hardy than the Grass Hand.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Giant Blue Anteater
Member Avatar
Prime Specimen
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Is it alright for me to create the "insects" that the insectivores eat for this project?
Ichthyostega

Posted Image

cdk007
 
Intelligence is awareness of ignorance. Stupidity is ignorance of ignorance. Think about it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
I forgot all about the base species. So sorry we'll have to start over again.

Hm... are you thinking of evolving these insects too?

Here's the revised list, meaning there are a few more niches with competition:

Medium Grassland Insectivore *

Garurroi - From Akairoi

Posted Image

This strain of the Akairoi has discovered that GrassSnippers make for good eats. Thought it will still eat seeds and grasses, the majority of it's diet is insectivorous, including Grass-kinds. It has developed smell-receiving feelers on it's head to track the chemical trails left behind by it's prey, back to their nest. When an individual finds a nest, it raises it's enlarged tail fin to signal the rest of it's pack to come and feed.
Prey: Insects and members of the Grass lineage



Medium Grassland Seed/Insectivore *

Akairoi

Posted Image

A small herding creature that eats seeds, grasses, and when it can find them, insects of varying sorts. Despite it's odd frame, it's flexible spine allows for bursts of speed.



Medium Grassland/Shrubland Seed/Insectivore *

Snatchage - From Akairoi

Posted Image

It is capable of quick, caterpillar-like movement but its main skill is patience. It waits around places where there are lots of arthropod prey, with its neck craning over. Its neck is so strong and flexible it can lash out at prey at lightning speed.



Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore

Crimairoi

Posted Image

Smaller hooves and lengthened body make for a faster sprinter. Although still omnivorous, it is beginning to graze on taller plants. A single horn has developed on it's head.



Zinairoi - From Crimairoi

Posted Image

It has a more developed horn, and longer neck muscles to reach higher shrubs.



Small Grassland Herbivore

Grass Snipper

Posted Image

Its mouth parts are seperate and work independantly of one another. It grazes almost constantly, except when breeding. It builds its nest from grass.



Grass Grazer - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

The mouthparts have become more adept and efficient at cutting and consuming grass. Due to predation, they now leave behind less of a chemical trail, but still store plenty in their tail to spurt as a deterrent at predators. Antennae have become larger to compensate for smelling the reduced trails.



Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore

Grass Hand - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

It uses its two pincers not only for feeding but also for building nests. Their diet spans a wide range of plants, from grasses, to herbs and shrubs.



Grass Snapper - From Grass Snipper

Posted Image

They grow a little big bigger due to increased predatorism. Also, their scent gland has turned into a full-on acid spitter.



Small-Medium river Detrivore *

Dreichub - From Chubri

Posted Image

A somewhat specialized detritus-feeder. The nozzles on it's undersides have been developed to not only to maneuver better in the streams, but also to blow detritus matter from the river bottom up into the water, where it can then feast at it's leisure. This strain no longer ambushes prey, and is content living on free-floating river matter.



Small-Medium River Ambusher/Detrivore *

Chubri

Posted Image

They lurk in the rivers that runs through the valley, and eats detritus or ambush small prey from the riverside.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



Small-Medium river herbivore/detrivore *

Cupri - From Chubri

Posted Image

These creatures live in the rivers that run through the valley. They eat mostly detritus and water plants. Their belly feet help it stick to rocks in fast currents.



Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore

Ganshu

Posted Image

An ambush predator that lives in the marshes. Flatter body and modifications to its fleshy tail make for better camouflage.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages



Byunchu - From Ganshu

Posted Image

Its body has grown more streamlined while still staying flat enough to avoid detection in the marshes. Fleshy things on the back have turned into a whiptail.
Probable Prey: Members of Grass Snipper, Akairoi and/or Crimairoi lineages

My votes:

Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore - Zinairoi

Small Grassland Herbivore - Grass Grazer

Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore - Grass Snapper

Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore - Byunchu
Edited by KayKay, May 13 2009, 02:08 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CarrionTrooper
Member Avatar
I require more vespene gas?!?
 *  *  *  *  *
Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore - Zinairoi

Small Grassland Herbivore - Grass Grazer

Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore - Grass Hand

Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore - Byunchu
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ATEK Azul
Member Avatar
Transhuman
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
the below names are my votes so i hope they work out lol.

Grass Snipper.
Grass Snapper.
Byunchu.
Zinairoi.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
With the extended range now, my additional votes are for Zinairoi, and Byunchu.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
What's your vote on the smallest herbivores?

(between Grass Snipper and Grass Grazer)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
I thought there was a rule against voting in anything your own creation is involved in... but if that's not the case, then to be honest, I'd say Grass Grazer.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Nah, just against voting for your own creatures that you submitted for this round. If it was submitted in a previous round you're ok, and you can vote for things your own submission is competing against.

Though, I'm not sure if that should be the case. I'm beginning to think it's a bit pointless, it was really so that people wouldn't try to push their own creations all the time and neglect to vote for others. But I think people here have enough common sense not to do that, and it wouldn't harm the project if someone were to vote for their own once on occasion. I dunno, what do you think?

Voting collection:

Medium Grassland Shrub Browser/Insectivore

Crimairoi
Zinairoi 1111 Survivor

Small Grassland Herbivore

Grass Snipper 1
Grass Grazer 111 Survivor

Small-Medium Grassland Herbivore

Grass Hand 1
Grass Snapper 111 Survivor

Small-Medium Swamp Ambusher/Detrivore

Ganshu
Byunchu 1111 Survivor

I'll update the OP in just a few minutes with the new survivors to evolve.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Terrence of Chance
Member Avatar
Infant
 *  *  *  *
Well, seeing as we've been silent for a bit, I might as well get the ball rolling. Here's my submissions to Gen 3!

Umaggoi
Posted Image
Ancestor: Garurroi.
An offshoot of the Garurroi, this creature has eked out a riverside existence. It's smelling feelers have developed into danglers that attract fish. When a fish comes to nibble at one of the feelers, a quick snap, and the Umaggoi has dinner.
Niche: Medium Riverside Fishing Piscivore. Prey: Various Chubri strains, although run-ins with Byunchu happen from time to time as well.


Zirrafoi
Posted Image
Ancestor: Zinairoi.
The tallest one gets more to eat, this strain has discovered. They spend their time in the compact forests, and as such, have developed a darker color scheme to blend into the tree shadows. The horn and tailfin have both developed a split.
Niche: Medium/Large Tree/shrub-browsing Herbivore.


Crusinui
Posted Image
Ancestor: Cupri
Evolved to fight against strong currents, the tubes in the back take in water, before ejecting it at high speeds. It swims from one end of the river to the other during the summer, when the mating season begins.
Niche: Medium River Herbivore/Detrivore


DirtSnapper
Posted Image
Ancestor: GrassSnapper
In order to escape surface predation, a colony of GrassSnappers has learned to dig underground. Seeing as this is primarily done with their beaks, a second pair has proved invaluable. Their eyes and antennae have enlarged to see in darkness. They still emerge to feed at night.
Niche: Small-Medium Subterranean Grassland Herbivore.


Tynanchyr
Posted Image
Ancestor: Byunchu
It hides on the river bottom untill drinking prey is spotted. It pushes off with it's newly-developed muscled and forked tail, and glides up and out of the water, where it's mouth launches and extends like a net, trapping prey within.
Niche Medium Swamp/River Ambusher Carnivore. Prey: Anything it can find, and will make attempts at even Zirrafoi.

Five critters that time around, hope we'll get to see some more!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KayKay
Adult
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Lol at Zirrafoi. :D

I'm still working on mine. Thing is I can only play spore for about 20 minutes before it begins to crash and I need to switch the computer off or a while.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · The Habitable Zone · Next Topic »
Add Reply