| 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! |
| Tardigrade Cambrian | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Apr 8 2010, 07:34 PM (803 Views) | |
| Pando | Apr 8 2010, 07:34 PM Post #1 |
|
Obey or I'll send you to the moon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Tardigrades are pretty adaptable animals. So what if in the Cambrian, Ordovician, and Silurian (when chordates took over) the tardigrades took over instead. There could still be chordates in the sea and arthropods and molluscs in the niches they fill today, but tardigrades controlled the sea and land. In the Ordovician a group of tardigrades developed an exoskeleton, and later a group in the early Devonian grew an endoskeleton. What kind of animals could come in this tardigrade dominated world? |
![]() |
|
| colddigger | Apr 8 2010, 07:54 PM Post #2 |
|
Joke's over! Love, Parasky
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Definitely critters that waltz across the sea floor, swimmers maybe? I would imagine that they swim like a shrimp though... |
|
Oh Fine. Oh hi you! Why don't you go check out the finery that is SGP?? v Don't click v Spoiler: click to toggle | |
![]() |
|
| Holben | Apr 9 2010, 02:36 AM Post #3 |
![]()
Rumbo a la Victoria
![]()
|
These animals wouldn't have the traits tardies are famous for. No stasis, no survival potential, and less coolness. They'd be very similiar to other primitive arthropods, perhaps trilobite- and anomalocaris-analogues. |
|
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." | |
![]() |
|
| chillypaz2010 | Oct 19 2010, 06:47 PM Post #4 |
|
Infant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Great idea pando,my cute friend. |
| Oh boy! Mark soup! | |
![]() |
|
| Dragon wasp | Oct 19 2010, 07:23 PM Post #5 |
![]()
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
hmm? 'my cute freind'???!?!?! also great idea pando |
![]() |
|
| chillypaz2010 | Oct 19 2010, 07:41 PM Post #6 |
|
Infant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Yes,pandorasaurus is my bff! |
| Oh boy! Mark soup! | |
![]() |
|
| Dragon wasp | Oct 19 2010, 08:02 PM Post #7 |
![]()
Prime Specimen
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
oh really? cool! |
![]() |
|
| Toad of Spades | Oct 19 2010, 08:40 PM Post #8 |
![]()
Clorothod
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Would it be possible for a tardigrade to evolve into a vertebrate/arthropod creatures that have a dual exo/endo skeletal system? They are simple enough that they could evolve their own unique skeletal system. It could really help when it comes to muscle attachements for strength. It could also help if a tetrapod-like lineage evolves and needs to bear weight.
Edited by Toad of Spades, Oct 19 2010, 08:41 PM.
|
|
Sorry Link, I don't give credit. Come back when you're a little...MMMMMM...Richer. Bread is an animal and humans are %90 aluminum. | |
![]() |
|
| chillypaz2010 | Oct 28 2010, 07:23 PM Post #9 |
|
Infant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Yes! I am so happy. |
| Oh boy! Mark soup! | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Alternative Evolution · Next Topic » |











1:50 PM Jul 11