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| Metaphyta a.k.a Plant World | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 26 2009, 05:00 PM (928 Views) | |
| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:00 PM Post #1 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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I began to think of a world where the native 'plant-life' also gave rise to what we would assume, 'animal-life' . I began to think of how these cellulose-based organisms would work, move, think, eat. For the first and simplest 'moving-plants' (which would resemble sea-cucumbers with leaf-growths at either end), they would develop a simple system of hydraulics combined with their vascular system, this would allow them to move in an earthworm-like fashion, during droughts they could seek out areas with more water. At first they'd use a simple 'neural' system, that is actually chemical based, and though at first simple, and only aiding in finding better sunlight, or moisture, in time this would be the perfect blue-print for an efficient, chemical-based brain. Simple forms would be squishy, lacking any internal or external support structure, but more advanced forms would stiffen, using a wood-like hydrocarbon endoskeleton, and in others an exoskeleton. Though at first they use plant means to gain nutrition, overtime some develop parasitic-like adaptations, leading to carnivory, and then herbivory/omnivory, though still retaining some photosynthetic adaptations. Because they are still 'plants' several adaptations would aid in defense, communication and sexual attraction, with pheromones and chemicals being the base for such things. Although many latter/advanced forms remain active for their entire lives, some forms are active in their larval stages, then stiffening and becoming sessile 'trees' in their adult lives. Now of course I have so many ideas for this, but I want to hear what you have to say. My little description barely touches the possibilities on such a planet, imagine how they could breed, communicate,how would they sense their world, what defenses they'd evolve, how they could achieve flight, and achieve aquatic lives, imagine how they would breath, and how their very presence would effect the atmosphere. Edited by Venatosaurus, Sep 27 2009, 08:29 PM.
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| StinglessBee | Sep 26 2009, 05:11 PM Post #2 |
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Adolescent
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Very interesting. You know, I did have some ideas for a planet ruled by fungi equivelants and mobile flora... as I doubt I'll be using them, would you like them? If so, I can PM them to you. By the way, will there be "pollinators" of some description? What would there nature to ordinary "plants" be? |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 26 2009, 05:25 PM Post #3 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Sure, I'd love it if you sent me some suggestions And yes, I was thinking of some large animal-like 'plants' releasing their sperm and eggs , which would seem like hoards of pollen being carried by the wind, which then come together to form their offspring. But I also figure, internal fertilization could occur, with females containing ovaries, with males using 'organs' similar to modified stamens, as penis analogues, and then pollination/fertilization would occur, resulting in offspring, but again this is an alien world, and by the time they achieve such an advanced stage, many advanced forms will act more 'animal' than 'plant'.
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| Temporary | Sep 27 2009, 03:36 PM Post #4 |
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Transhuman
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Wow, this has all the potential to become another Snaiad. I'm curious about the locomotion of these organisms as they get more complex, you kow, how their legs will work and develope. BTW: Are their going to be life we'd recognize as animal analogues, or are you going to stick with just these 'planimals' through the entire thing? |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 27 2009, 03:43 PM Post #5 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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I know, I was thinking about it the other day, and it really does have 'Snaiad' potential ! As for 'present-day' locomotion it greatly varies, some forms are barely unchanged from the fist locomotive forms, undulating like earthworms, as for other forms...it'd depend on how many limbs they have, I was thinking that 'vertabrate/endoskeletal' forms could have either 4 to 5 pairs of limbs, while 'exoskeletal' forms could have vary numbers of limbs ranging from 6 - 8 pairs of limbs. But for now, I can't focus greatly on this project as I'm busy with Squamozoic, Amphibination, and real life But when I get time, I really want to expand on this !
Edited by Venatosaurus, Sep 27 2009, 08:28 PM.
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| Temporary | Sep 27 2009, 03:45 PM Post #6 |
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Transhuman
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Why limit their number of legs? Plants don't have a limit of roots. |
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| Iowanic | Sep 27 2009, 05:10 PM Post #7 |
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Adult
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This is a heavy-duty concept. How many of these ideas may I borrow? The visual of all these plants releasing their pollen into the air.....you'd have(maybe) clouds of all manner of colors. Good stuff. |
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 27 2009, 05:14 PM Post #8 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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The number of legs would be limited in 'vertabrate' and 'exoskeletal' forms as they begin to develop more like animals, plus these are aliens, so some aspects of Terran plants aren't exactly applicable to Metaphyta 'plants'. And no you can't borrow ideas But yes, imagine the varying colors of 'clouds' , it'd be a beautiful sight, until you release you're being covered in sperm and eggs XDEdit: I also edited the description because I stated that they moved like inchworms, but I meant EARTHWORMS XD Sorry for the mix up
Edited by Venatosaurus, Sep 27 2009, 08:30 PM.
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| Venatosaurus | Sep 28 2009, 04:53 PM Post #9 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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So I was wondering how they would sense their world, and I came up with the most logical one for 'plant' derived creatures, CHEMORECEPTORS ! However in these organism it is increadibly advanced, and allows them to visualize their world in a flurry of scents and pheromones...they see and communicate in 'scent'. I also figured sound would play a vital role, for long distance communication, as well as vibration, reason for so many species having sole pads, which act as sound absorbers and shock absorbers, which in essence is like infrasound in elephants.
Edited by Venatosaurus, Sep 28 2009, 04:56 PM.
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And yes, I was thinking of some large animal-like 'plants' releasing their sperm and eggs , which would seem like hoards of pollen being carried by the wind, which then come together to form their offspring. But I also figure, internal fertilization could occur, with females containing ovaries, with males using 'organs' similar to modified stamens, as penis analogues, and then pollination/fertilization would occur, resulting in offspring, but again this is an alien world, and by the time they achieve such an advanced stage, many advanced forms will act more 'animal' than 'plant'.

But when I get time, I really want to expand on this !

9:34 AM Jul 11