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| Amphibination; Part 3 now up | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 26 2009, 02:16 PM (6,316 Views) | |
| StinglessBee | Aug 26 2009, 02:16 PM Post #1 |
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Adolescent
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This is an alternate world where amniotes never evolved. Meanwhile, the Permian extinction was more gradual, allowing the reptiliamorphs (amniote-like amphibians such as Seymouria and Diadectes) to survive. All other extinctions happened as normal. The way I see this world, there are three main orders: lissamphibians (which are more diverse than real world amphibians, but do not produce megafauna), mammaloraniformes (descendants of Seymouria group reptiliamorphs), and throat breeders (descendants of Diadectes group reptiliamorphs, which produce most of the megafauna). The throat breeders are generally social creatures which nurse their young in modified vocal cords in a similar way to a Darwin’s frog. The mammaloraniformes, meanwhile, will have an internal ear drum together with ear bones seperate from the skull, and will be fully warm blooded. The lissamphibians won't be producing anything larger than a badger for two reasons: firstly, many of them breathe through their skin as well as through their lungs, resulting in them needing a large body surface to volume ratio and secondly because they lack the reinforced spine that amniotes and some reptiliamorphs have (come to think of it, badger size may be pushing the limit...) Anyway, may I have critique, advice, or suggestions please. If anyone can think of a better name than those I've come up with, then please tell me. Also, for those who wish for pictures, they will come... eventually (don't expect master pieces: I am, at best, a dreadful artist). Anyway, here is are a few orders and families to begin with: Class: Throat breeder (sorry: I'm not good with latin or greek names) Order: Scale rats These are the creatures from which all other throat breeders evolve (as these were some of the survivors of the K-10 Cretacious extinction). Whilst they are origionally descended from the herbivorous Diadectamorphs, these are omnivorous creatures that grow up to the size of a fox. Whilst they are scaly (reptiliamorphs were) these scales are more comparable to those of a carp than to reptile scales. They communicate by a mixture of scent, body language and (in some species) colour changes, as the vocal cords are used to carry their young. These creatures fill rodent niches, and a few derived scale rats fill primitive primate niches. Class: Mammaloraniformes Order: Seal mimics (not an actual name, just a stand in until someone thinks of something better) These are very basal members of the class, in which many members of the order haven't evolved vivipary. These are mostly marine, but several species swim upriver to lay their frog-like eggs. They and their larvae have pits in their head for sensing the electricity given of by muscles. Most species prey on fish and fill seal and sea lion niches. However, a family of whale like creatures exist (these have evolved vivipary). These fill the niche of humpback whales (eating small fish en mass) or grey whales (eating invertebrates from the sea bed en mass). Class: Lissamphibian Order: Anura Family: Leaping tadpoles/rabbit frogs These are frog-like creatures that maintain the coiled gut used in their tadpole stage to digest plant matter. These grow up to the size of a rabbit, and can be distinguished from other members of the frog/toad order by the more spherical body, which contains the larger digestive system. These (and several other families of frog) have abandoned the usual jumping ability in favour of a odd form of gallop, similar to that used by some crocodilians in real life. They have achieved most of their diversity in colder regions, as they can hibernate easily. Some even have a natural anti-freeze in their blood and muscles (some frogs do this in real life, so why not?) Anyway, there is plenty more things to come. So... what do you think? Edited by StinglessBee, Aug 26 2009, 04:33 PM.
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| StinglessBee | Sep 26 2009, 04:56 PM Post #196 |
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Adolescent
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Hi all! Here is part one of the first amphibination story (no pics yet, but if anyone wants to draw some, then they are welcome)
Oh, and I think it will probably have more parts to it than previously thought (sorry Venato). If anyone wants to see something, now is a good time to say. |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:09 PM Post #197 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Cool, though if the 'flighted' gephyrostegids have rib-wings, then they won't achieve flight at all But awesome description ! I felt like I was there Hopefully Kay and I will get started on those pics as well
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| StinglessBee | Sep 26 2009, 05:13 PM Post #198 |
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Adolescent
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As far as writing up the new amphibination goes, its early days, and I can always edit the wind surfer somewhat. Anyway, I'm glad you like it. |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:16 PM Post #199 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Good, I really like the names you chose out 'Magnificent Griffinfly' 'Windsurfer' and 'Forest Griffinfly' , though the 'Forest Griffinfly could use a name change to like 'Pigeonfly' as it occupies a niche similar to some pigeons, and it's the size of one
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| StinglessBee | Sep 26 2009, 05:21 PM Post #200 |
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Adolescent
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I'm glad you liked the names, though I called the wind surfer's prey a forest griffon, because it felt a bit easier to say than forest griffonfly. Pigeonfly... sounds good to me. Has a better ring to it than forest griffon. |
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| The Dodo | Sep 26 2009, 05:25 PM Post #201 |
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Prime Specimen
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Good work , I like the griffinflies, it also got me thinking about maybe flightless griffinflies on a small island, I don't know how likely this is.
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:26 PM Post #202 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Gasp, I too had ideas concerning flightless griffinflies ! Some could be terrestrial monsters, others aquatic, crocodile-like terrors, with burrowing forms even arising ! |
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| Carlos | Sep 26 2009, 05:30 PM Post #203 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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I really wish there was a griffonfly pic somewhere |
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Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro ![]() | |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:35 PM Post #204 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Well, I've been trying to draw one, but I continually fail. I asked Nemo to provide one, but I doubt that'd ever happen
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| Carlos | Sep 26 2009, 05:51 PM Post #205 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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Nonsense, I bet one of your drawings will be perfect |
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Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro ![]() | |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 06:47 PM Post #206 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Aw how kind But I too have trouble designing it, though I did doodle some pictures that really grabbed my attention
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| Carlos | Sep 26 2009, 07:06 PM Post #207 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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My closest concept is that of a dragonfly with a shorter abdomen (you know, that "tail"), back wings similar to those of a butterfly (only that not conencted to the main wings) and front wings with a support structure that is articulated and thus can bend. I wonder how these animals overcame the problems of moulting the exoskeleton |
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Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro ![]() | |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 07:10 PM Post #208 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Actually the design I hat created was similar to your idea, though I did give them smaller eyes and thick-looking exoskeletons that are similar to coconut crabs, but hollow. As for molting, the hollow structure and an aquatic molting habit would definately help. |
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| StinglessBee | Oct 3 2009, 04:06 PM Post #209 |
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Adolescent
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Here is the stunning second part of a flight through amphibination.
I congratulate anyone who knows which comedy show I ripped off just after the fight scene. Edited by StinglessBee, Oct 3 2009, 04:06 PM.
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| Venatosaurus | Oct 3 2009, 04:14 PM Post #210 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Awesome chapter, sorry I haven't been focusing on Amphibination, as I'm school and such I have real life to worry about, plus my mind has been straying to Squamozoic, Metaphyta, and even Faa's dino-related project. I know I have to draw as well...goodness so many things to carry at once XD |
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But awesome description ! I felt like I was there
Hopefully Kay and I will get started on those pics as well

7:20 PM Jul 10