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| Griffins...In a different light | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 11 2010, 10:45 PM (1,097 Views) | |
| Venatosaurus | Feb 11 2010, 10:45 PM Post #1 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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So, with so many people proposing alternate Mesozoics, with, either a different set of creatures coming into dominion, or one particular set of animals going extinct...I decided to create my own spin on things. I was thinking of Griffons...and I thought, what on Earth could have produced such beasts (in particular, the Keythongs, a wingless variety of Griffons) ? Pterosaurs are too commonly used, and birds are too unlikely...but I thought of the Hyperodapedon and Paradapedon genera, and I figured that they are viable candidates for producing such beasts. So, in this scenario, Rhynchosauria, particularly Hyperodapedon and Paradapedon relatives, become the dominant terrestrial vertebrates, rather than Dinosauria, gaining the traits of endothermy, erect-gaited stances, integumentation, and significantly increased intelligence. They would truly reign supreme, ranging from diminutive lizard-like representatives, to elephantine behemoths. So go on, discuss, and speculate...I may, from time to time, drop off some drawings, but I've got my hands full doing nothing
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| ATEK Azul | Feb 11 2010, 11:06 PM Post #2 |
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Transhuman
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I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with those groups except my small knowledge of Rhynchosaurs so could you please explain without linking to Wikipedia? Though this idea does sound interesting, how would they have 6 limbs? |
| I am dyslexic, please ignore the typo's! | |
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| Venatosaurus | Feb 11 2010, 11:17 PM Post #3 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Someone else may have more extensive knowledge on the Rhynchosaur group, but as I said, they are tetrapods, notable when I said they were representative of the Keything variety, Griffons without wings
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| The Dodo | Feb 12 2010, 12:48 AM Post #4 |
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Prime Specimen
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I found this site, it has some information although it's hard to find any large amount on non-wikipedia sites. http://www.accessscience.com/abstract.aspx?id=757441&referURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.accessscience.com%2fcontent.aspx%3fid%3d757441 |
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| Carlos | Feb 12 2010, 03:42 AM Post #5 |
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Adveho in me Lucifero
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Ah, rhynchosaurs. Indeed, its a good choice |
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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 | Feb 12 2010, 11:30 AM Post #6 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Yes ! They'd be rather spectacular animals, and diversify much like our mammals, as well as 'growing' into species analogolous to birds.
Edited by Venatosaurus, Feb 13 2010, 01:03 PM.
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| Margaret Pye | Feb 13 2010, 10:24 AM Post #7 |
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Adult
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Seems like a good idea. Do you have any species worked out? |
| My speculative dinosaur project. With lots of fluff, parental care and mammalian-level intelligence, and the odd sophont. | |
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| Holben | Feb 13 2010, 10:30 AM Post #8 |
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Rumbo a la Victoria
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If they're mammals, shouldn't hteir wings be membranous? |
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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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| Margaret Pye | Feb 13 2010, 10:40 AM Post #9 |
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Adult
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Not mammals, just mammal-analogues. I can't see rhynchosaurs evolving mammary glands (how would they suck with those beaks? It'd have to squirt.) JohnFaa makes a case in this excellent thread that mammals could evolve feathers. I doubt it myself - feathers seem too complicated to evolve repeatedly - but he has a point. And rhychosaurs are probably more prone than mammals to evolve display structures that could be co-opted for aerodynamics, because of their better vision. Besides, who said their wings weren't membranous? Membranous wings make more sense to me. What wing design are you using, Venatosaurus? Can I convince you to base it on Draco volans? |
| My speculative dinosaur project. With lots of fluff, parental care and mammalian-level intelligence, and the odd sophont. | |
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| Holben | Feb 13 2010, 10:44 AM Post #10 |
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Rumbo a la Victoria
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'In this excellent thread' lol. They could regurgitate a milk-like substance, like penguins do, but i don't see it. Rhynchosaurs have better vision than mammals? All of them? |
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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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| Margaret Pye | Feb 13 2010, 10:47 AM Post #11 |
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Adult
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Um, well, I assume nearly all rhynchosaurs would have better vision than any mammal other than a primate or cat, because as far as I know rhynchosaurs never went through a reduced-vision nocturnal smell-deoendent stage. |
| My speculative dinosaur project. With lots of fluff, parental care and mammalian-level intelligence, and the odd sophont. | |
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| Holben | Feb 13 2010, 10:50 AM Post #12 |
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Rumbo a la Victoria
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There are different ways of having good vision. A carnivore like a wolf or lion has many recptors to light, and can see in conditions we couldn't. (We lost most of this ability in the pliocene). ahawk has great focus and detail perception. Many animals have great movement receptors, and others like us ahve great depth perception and co-ordination. |
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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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| Margaret Pye | Feb 13 2010, 11:19 AM Post #13 |
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Adult
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Yes, obviously. And I'd assume that rhynchosaurs would be better at all of that than most mammals, except the low-light vision. |
| My speculative dinosaur project. With lots of fluff, parental care and mammalian-level intelligence, and the odd sophont. | |
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| Holben | Feb 13 2010, 11:22 AM Post #14 |
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Rumbo a la Victoria
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It would make sense for their hearing and sense of smell to be very advanced as well- they were small animals in a predatory environment. |
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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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| Venatosaurus | Feb 13 2010, 01:10 PM Post #15 |
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HAUS OF SPEC
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Whoops, I never meant to say mammals they do diversify like them though. Now remember these are tetrapods, in if and when take to skies, they will use their front limbs. Yes they would also have significantly better vision than mammals, due to the fact that archosaurs have excellent color vision as well as UV vision. So yes they would develop brilliant display structures and base several activities on such wonderful vision, although there will be exceptions similar to our timelines vultures and owls.They could also develop 'fur' feathers or quills easily...but no milk glands But again I won't get too much into this because I have other things to take care of.
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they do diversify like them though. Now remember these are tetrapods, in if and when take to skies, they will use their front limbs. Yes they would also have significantly better vision than mammals, due to the fact that archosaurs have excellent color vision as well as UV vision. So yes they would develop brilliant display structures and base several activities on such wonderful vision, although there will be exceptions similar to our timelines vultures and owls.
7:17 PM Jul 10