| 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! |
| Sphenodontia Diversification | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Dec 6 2009, 10:31 PM (865 Views) | |
| The Dodo | Dec 6 2009, 10:31 PM Post #1 |
|
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well, I was thinking what if Squamata never evolved and instead Sphenodontia took over their role until the modern day. Of course things like snakes wouldn't of evolved and the Late Cretaceous seas would be absent of their large predatory Mosasaurs. How do you think Sphenodontia would evolve as well as other animals in the Squamata's absence. |
![]() |
|
| Rick Raptor | Dec 7 2009, 10:46 AM Post #2 |
|
Adolescent
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I can very well imagine a mosasaur equivalent looking similar to Pleurosaurus (an aquatic Sphenodont). It´s tail would be much longer in comparison to its body than what you see in Mosasaurs. |
| [My DeviantArt account] | |
![]() |
|
| Carlos | Dec 7 2009, 11:55 AM Post #3 |
|
Adveho in me Lucifero
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I indeed have many concepts for sphenodontian evolution, some of them donated to Spec |
|
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 ![]() | |
![]() |
|
| The Dodo | Dec 7 2009, 07:55 PM Post #4 |
|
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Is there any chance for venom to evolve in them? |
![]() |
|
| Carlos | Dec 8 2009, 05:25 AM Post #5 |
|
Adveho in me Lucifero
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Possibly, though with the teeth fused into the skull and with powerfull jaws as they had its difficult to give venom any utility |
|
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 ![]() | |
![]() |
|
| The Dodo | Dec 8 2009, 05:54 AM Post #6 |
|
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I was also thinking about maybe herbivorous Sphenodonia, I think Tuataras have some ability to chew so what about some having flat grinding teeth to chew vegetation while the front teeth are used to chop of plants. |
![]() |
|
| Carlos | Dec 8 2009, 06:16 AM Post #7 |
|
Adveho in me Lucifero
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Spec did indeed have the idea of beakguanas, herbivorous sphenodontians with turtle like beaks; I wrote essays for several species. Alternatively, rhynchosaur like teeth could evolve, but considering that "teeth" in sphenodontians are actually part of the skull that wouldn't be necessary |
|
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 ![]() | |
![]() |
|
| The Dodo | Dec 8 2009, 06:23 AM Post #8 |
|
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Okay then, I'm using some herbivorous Sphenodontia in my own little project as well as some carnivorous ones. So what do you think would be a good mosasaur replacement, an aquatic Sphenodontia or a plesiosaur or something? |
![]() |
|
| Carlos | Dec 8 2009, 06:31 AM Post #9 |
|
Adveho in me Lucifero
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Aquatic sphenodontian |
|
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 ![]() | |
![]() |
|
| The Dodo | Dec 8 2009, 06:33 AM Post #10 |
|
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Alright. An aquatic sphenodontian or a plesiosaur or something? |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Alternative Evolution · Next Topic » |







7:19 PM Jul 10