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Biology of a Fantasy Earth; Mammals and dinosaurs together?
Topic Started: Jul 22 2009, 07:17 PM (6,103 Views)
Black_Panther
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Hi, people.
As some of you may know (specially the ones who have seen my DA) i'm working in a fantasy world. So, in a way similar to that of 'The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island' or whatever that's called; i would like to bring some 'realism' into the project, while still keeping some of the fantasy aspects.

As a brief thing, i shall describe a few aspects of this world, that i want to focus on, to add a few realism to this thing:
-The K-T event didn't happened. So, as you may take account; dinosaurs are still around...but, during the last million years of the cretaceous, a disease swept through all the globe, killing dinosaurs except in the Americas.
-Surviving dinosaurs include dromaeosaurs, oviraptors, abelisaurs and only a surviving tyrannosaur species, the Nanotyrannus (i know it's probably a real dinosaur species; but, again, i'm sticking into the fantasy stuff), while herbivores include pachycephalosaurs, the Magyarosaurus, smaller hadrosaurs, small ceratopsians and a few ankylosaurs.
-Yes, Pterosaurs and mosasaurs are still around.

Now, the fantasy, inaccurate stuff that i hope some of you might find interesting:
-Marsupials manage to evolve, due to full extinction of dinosaurs in Australia.
-Mammals DO evolve; although, creatures like elephants, primates (with the exception of carnivore, baboon-like forms adapted to trees and a small species of lemurians that eventually evolve into humanoid creatures), horses, bears, elk, goats, cows, whales, rhinos and hippopotami never evolve.
-Creodonts are present, although, they're restricted to a small, wolverine-like species inhabiting islands in the sub-artic North America.
-Pigs are diverse, from analogues to warthogs and razorback pigs, to beasts similar to hippopotami and rhinoceros.
Also, a family of carnivore pigs inhabit eastern Europe and the Balkans: the Gorgonidae.
-Deer are present in a variety of forms, most of them inhabiting the northern hemisphere; while stocky, jungle dwelling species live in the depths of african rainforests. Gazelle-like forms inhabit the savannah.
-Felines are present in Eastern Asia and the Americas, filling the niches of extinct, larger predators. Felines range from arboreal species, to panther-like creatures as big as a Smilodon.
-Monitor lizards in africa gave rise to a family of lion-like reptilians: Manticores.
-Mustelids are way more diverse than Real world. From analogues of ferrets and martens, to bear-like species.
-South America is home to gigantic teratorns.
-Tropical coasts are inhabited by fully marine birds and penguin-like descendants of Hesperornis.
-Flightless, moa-sized birds are common in the Southern hemisphere; along with predatorial, flightless herons.
-Pinnipeds are present with a large variety of species; from seals similar to those in Real earth, to big, fully marine creatures filling the niches of antartic whales and dolphins.

And finally, civilization manages to appear due to some magical mumbo jumbo that i won't discuss, because it's totally fantastic and doesn't have anything to do with evolution.

So, what do you think?
Should i fully describe this bizarre and impossible world?
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Ànraich
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L'évolution Spéculative est moi

Where can I adopt one as a pet? On second though, there are small children living here, so never mind.
We should all aspire to die surrounded by our dearest friends. Just like Julius Caesar.

"The Lord Universe said: 'The same fate I have given to all things from stones to stars, that one day they shall become naught but memories aloft upon the winds of time. From dust all was born, and to dust all shall return.' He then looked upon His greatest creation, life, and pitied them, for unlike stars and stones they would soon learn of this fate and despair in the futility of their own existence. And so the Lord Universe decided to give life two gifts to save them from this despair. The first of these gifts was the soul, that life might more readily accept their fate, and the second was fear, that they might in time learn to avoid it altogether." - Excerpt from a Chanagwan creation myth, Legends and Folklore of the Planet Ghar, collected and published by Yieju Bai'an, explorer from the Celestial Commonwealth of Qonming

Tree That Owns Itself
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Black_Panther
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I'm back, my friends.
So, as my girlfriend got a ferret as a gift last night, and seeing how much i like mustelids; i shall post something related to mustelids in the Dracoverse earth.

Mustelids.
Unlike Real Earth, where mustelids are now restricted to being mostly small predators and scavengers, and with the larger species being the Giant Otter; the Dracoverse Earth mustelids are more diverse.
Without larger predators like bears or canids in Eurasia during the Oligocene, until the Pleistocene and the exchange of fauna; Mustelids have evolved into by far, more menacing and diverse shapes.
Ranging from creatures parallel to Sable, Wolverines, Ferrets and Otters; to the massive Grizzlerine and the Ahuizotl; Mustelids are found in several sizes and shapes, from small, earth-like creatures; to larger predators similar to hyenas, wolves and bears.
While found in several continents, larger species are restricted to northern Eurasia, the Americas and a few islands in the northern seas; with smaller species acting as scavengers in Africa and Southeastern Asia, due to the imposing presence of larger predators like dinosaurs, felines and carnivorous pigs.
While most are similar to the ones found in Real Earth; there are primarily, nine species have developed interesting body plans:

Posted Image

1) The Imperial Marten: Found all over North America, this large mustelid is similar to both hyenas and sabretooth cats. Despite their large size (roughly rivaling a greyhound) and imposing fangs and jaws capable of breaking bones with ease; Imperial Martens are mostly scavengers that travel in packs, looking carcasses left by larger predators like Huntsdrakes, Sabretooth Panthers and Black Tyrants.

2) The Grizzlerine: A giant of the North Pole. Without dinosaurs or other large carnivore species as competition, the Grizzlerine has reached a size and aggressive behavior that would make a Polar Bear looking like a tame dog. Commonly found in gladiatorial arenas all over the world, Grizzlerines guts and raw power turn them into being capable of bringing down a large dinosaur like the Black Tyrant or the Tezcatlipoca's Dragon. According to a few legends, a Grizzlerine can reach a size rivalling that of Sarkastodon.

3) The Viper Weasel: A bizarre, elongated weasel of the British Islands. The Viper Weasel has an amazing flexibility and due to it's carnivorous lifestyle, it turns this small, 3-foot long weasel into the perfect rat hunter. Viper Weasels are extremely territorial; capable of even fending off a creature the size of a pit bull, by attacking and emitting violent, high-pitched 'screams' and hissing.

4) The Rusalka: Inhabiting coastal areas all over the Baltic Sea, this monstrosity is the mustelid answer to the crocodile. Growing to a frightening 6-foot long size, the Rusalka is the truth behind it's mythical counterpart. As an ambush predator like the crocodile, a full-grown Rusalka can pull something as heavy as an adult man into the water.

5) The Fenrir: A wolf-like mustelid, that inhabits all over northern Europe. With a size similar to a Dobermann, the Fenrir is the mustelid answer to wolves. Hunting in packs that can reach a size of 30 members, these fierce creatures are capable of bringing down prey larger than them. A pack of Fenrir can hold their own against two or three Siberian Ravagers with ease. The British Fenrir, also known as the Baskerville Beast; is smaller, and not so aggressive, even to the point of some individuals being domesticated during the middle ages and developing into the Dog Badger; a 'domestic' mustelid.

6) The Molerine: A small, prairie dog-sized mustelid similar to wolverines and badgers. Molerines specialize in hunting insects, rodents, lizards and birds; also, they live in complex underground tunnel systems; similar to moles or prairie dogs. They are commonly found all over North America, specially in open grasslands and sparse forests; hunting creatures ranging from toads and lizards, to snakes and baby dinosaurs; which they pull down into their burrows. If threatened, a Molerine will release a powerful musk, similar to a skunk and then head on to their burrows, hollow logs and any place where they can hide; and, if they can't, Molerines will fight to death with their sharp claws and razor-sharp fangs.

7) Tiger Ferret: An inhabitant of north american swamps. Tiger Ferrets reach a size rivalling that of a red fox, and are violent carnivores. Also, they're impressive swimmers and climbers; commonly diving into water or climbing trees if being threatened by a larger predator or scavenger that would steal their kill.
Tiger Ferrets are commonly killed for the shiny, striped, crimson fur.

8) The Merrow: A gentle, aquatic inhabitant. Almost fully aquatic, the Merrow is, unlike their cousins; a gentle omnivore. Their 'bipedal' posture is only seen underwater; using their front paws to open clams, holding fish and ripping algae from the ocean floor. Merrows can reach a length of over 10 to 12 feet long, and can weigh from 500kg to 700kg in larger individuals.
Merrows are social creatures filling the niche of cetaceans like porpoise or dolphins through all the northern seas; from England to the North Sea. Merrows are hunted by larger ocean predators, like the Panther Seals, Sea Cats and giant octopi.

9) The Ahuizotl: While the Grizzlerine is the biggest mustelid predator, the Ahuizotl is truly the real monster in this family. Living only in the Texcoco Lake in the Central Province of the Krizanian Empire; this magnificent monster has been feared through centuries. Almost as big as a lion, combining a powerful mammalian body plan with a long, muscular tail that it uses to swim faster than any human could; the Ahuizotl (nahuatl for 'Water Monster') is a real nightmare.
Still roaming through the lake and swampy areas of the lake, without taking care of the growing cities around it, and even taking advantage of population and their dump, the Ahuizotl is still a menace to people all over the capital of the Empire. Stories about an Ahuizotl running amok streets, killing someone near the riverside or being seen in sewers and beaches, are common.
Imperial citizens still fear and respect this magnificent beast; due to its powerful, bone-breaking jaws; 5-inch long claws and the, powerful tail capable of snapping a bone with a single hit. Ahuizotl are protected by Empire law and are commonly seen as one of the four heraldic beasts of the Empire (along with the Jaguar, the Eagle and the Snake).

Phew.
A small overview, that i would like to expand in a near future.
So, what do you think?
I know it's kind of impossible; but, again, i'm working with fantasy and sticking to biology as much as i can, without breaking the fantastic aspect of the Dracoverse earth.

Next time: European Dragons.


http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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ATEK Azul
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These are awsome I like 1, 2, 8 and 9 the best though they're all cool.

Keep it up your world is awsome.
Edited by ATEK Azul, Jul 27 2009, 06:32 PM.
I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's!
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Black_Panther
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ATEK Azul
Jul 27 2009, 06:32 PM
These are awsome I like 1, 2, 8 and 9 the best though they're all cool.

Keep it up your world is awsome.
I will continue, probably this week.
I was pretty much out of my house during summer vacations, i managed to return last week and started writing about several species of the Dracoverse.
Coming soon:

-Hyena Imitators, Land Vultures and Aggressors: Oviraptors ranging from pigeon-sized insectivores to ferocious scavengers the size of a grown man.

-Mammals: Felines, Bats, hoofed carnivores, predatorial pigs, bear-like marsupials and other carnivores that coexist in this fantasy land with dinosaurs and gigantic birds.

-'Dragons': Winged, dragon-like descendants of dromaeosaurs.

-Stilters: Flightless pterosaurs with a lifestyle similar to that of herons and cranes.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Black_Panther
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Updated my DA, a quick view of what Wyverns/Eurodraconians might look like:
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com/art/Wyvern-137591427
I'm using them as analogues of teratorns and large pterosaurs in the european mountain ranges and the mediterranean islands; so, i think i need some ideas to explain them, since they range from small, rat-sized arboreal forms, to the Titan Falconclaw; a creature weighing 100 kg. and having a wingspan that rivals that of Quetzalcoatlus.
Wyverns aren't 'flyers', but gliders that jump from sheer rock faces and use wind currents to travel through the air for long distances, until they see prey; and in that case, Wyverns simply swoop down like falcons and proceed to kick prey to death, using their powerful claws.
In fighting, they virtually claw each other or the rivail like secretary birds or chickens would do.

Also, a quick view of the oviraptors; divided into hyena imitators, aggressors and land vultures:
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com/art/Oviraptorids-137572383

Still working on a description.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Holben
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Rumbo a la Victoria

This looks uber-cool.

the mustelid drawings are awesome.

And i noticed the Kasai Rex... how long did writing all those names take?

The magic... is it like nanobots which fly around and do stuff, or different?
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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Black_Panther
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Holbenilord
Oct 22 2009, 11:45 AM
This looks uber-cool.

the mustelid drawings are awesome.

And i noticed the Kasai Rex... how long did writing all those names take?

The magic... is it like nanobots which fly around and do stuff, or different?
Thanks.
I'm still improving my drawing skills.

Regarding the Kasai Rex...i have a fascination for cryptids and all that stuff, so you will see cryptid-inspired animals (hell, just wait for the gliding primates known as Mothmen). The list...actually took a couple of days, researching on dinosaur families and species that were present at the end of the cretaceous.

Magic...is kind of the average comic book or modern fantasy concept. Some unknown forces present in the universe...i use 'gods' similar to the Marvel Comics' Asgardians and DC's New Gods, demons, superhumans, cosmic entities etc, etc...basically that's the fantasy aspect.
(That, and an aztec-derived empire that would make the Draka from the Domination look like a third world country).
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Black_Panther
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Just a quick update to make people sure i'm still alive. xD

http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com/art/North-American-Carnivores-150824788

North American predators of the DZVerse and the Dracoverse in comparison to a human being (6-ft).

Upper Row:
-Black Tyrant (Necrotyrannus Imperator)

Second Row:
-Death Tyrant (Thanatotherium ferox)
-Tezcatlipoca's Dragon (Tezcatyrannus Mexicana)

Third Row:
-Kulkulcan's Dragon (Kukulcanosaurus Caribensis)
-Grim Howler (Hyaenamimus Eurasiatica)
-Titan Falconclaw (Dracoraptor Titanis)
-Huntsdrake (Gigaraptor Macrovenator)

Lower Row:
-Ahuizotl (Aquatherium Carnifex)
-Emperor Crocodile (Imperasuchus Floridensis)
-Imperial Marten (Leomartes Imperialis)
-Grizzlerine (Deinogulo Horribilis)
-War Vulture (Teratornis Californicus)
-Siberian Tiger (Panthera Tigris Altaica)
-False Hyena (Crocutacyon Canadensis)
-Cherokee Hellcat (Smilodon Cherokensis)
-Forest Banshee (Lycaenoraptor Minor)
-Wolfdragon. (Lycaenoraptor Major)
-Dire Wolf (Canis Dirus)
-------------------------
Currently working on a website containing my own universe. And just to keep people interested, i'll post here a little bit of info on Wyverns, aka dragon-like dromaoesaurs.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Ook
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interesting project,i am happy that its alive
Posted ImagePosted ImagePosted ImagePosted Image
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Pando
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WOW that's awesome.

And I notice that you said in the first post that marsupials manage to evolve. Just want you to know that they evolved in Early Cretaceous, if you don't already know ;)
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Black_Panther
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Pandorasaurus
Apr 17 2010, 01:00 PM
WOW that's awesome.

And I notice that you said in the first post that marsupials manage to evolve. Just want you to know that they evolved in Early Cretaceous, if you don't already know ;)
Dunno, they could have disappeared after the Cretaceous.
Ahahaha, joking, you got me on that one.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Margaret Pye
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This actually sounds perfectly plausible to me, apart from the magic and the "gods" - all the creatures make perfect sense.
My speculative dinosaur project. With lots of fluff, parental care and mammalian-level intelligence, and the odd sophont.
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Black_Panther
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Margaret Pye
Apr 17 2010, 09:59 PM
This actually sounds perfectly plausible to me, apart from the magic and the "gods" - all the creatures make perfect sense.
Thanks, i added gods and magic due to the fact that i'm currently doing a superhero comic book that takes place in this fantasy earth.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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Holben
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Rumbo a la Victoria

I went over this projewct before without noticing your MUSTELIDS. Being the Pine MArten of the forum, i must say how much i like 'em. But surely they would become more and more constrained to arboreal regions, as the creatures below evolved better and better? I would only imagine them egg-thieving and eating dino-squirrels...
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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Black_Panther
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Holbenilord
Apr 18 2010, 01:37 PM
I went over this projewct before without noticing your MUSTELIDS. Being the Pine MArten of the forum, i must say how much i like 'em. But surely they would become more and more constrained to arboreal regions, as the creatures below evolved better and better? I would only imagine them egg-thieving and eating dino-squirrels...
I had this idea about carnivore dinosaurs being wiped out from Europe and Asia at the end of the cretaceous or the beginning of the cenozoic.
Tyrannosaurs and dromaeosaurs supposedly went back to Eurasia through the Bering land bridge, so, it happened like the Great American Interchange...with things like big cats, pigs, mustelids and wolves migrating into America, and dinosaurs migrating into Asia.
http://spidervenom022.deviantart.com

Go in there for some odd stuff that could make you puke, and ask for some free sketches. :)
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