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| Novopangea; My version of the next Supercontinent. | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 23 2016, 08:38 PM (2,182 Views) | |
| Dapper Man | Jul 23 2016, 08:38 PM Post #1 |
* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Novopangea (Update 2: TerrificTyler made a fantastic map. Thanks mate!)200 million years from now, things have changed. The whole world is seemingly void of modern megafauna- and is seems as though this world is a mixture between the Cretaceous and the Oligocene periods of past times. Many strange and weird critters dominate the megafauna- but it seems as if they’re all descended from Squamates- this might as well be Squamate World. However, they aren’t the only critters around- giant birds haunt the northern forest, a reminder of what was once dominant- and this bird seems to have come from the most unexpected ancestor. Small mammals, like they did in the cretaceous, cower in fear from these giant Squamates, although a few are capable of devouring Squamlings (Tentative name for Squamate Hatchlings, Squamates + Hatchling.) A surprising amount of Squamates have converged with certain Ornithischian and Ungulate groups, and hence are called Squamulates (Tentative name, Squamates + Ungulates.) This is a common name, however, for several lineages, sometimes related and sometimes not, Squamates converging with Ungulates. The climate of Novopangea is not to dissimilar from the Oligocene, with forests just beginning to fade away and being replaced by open woodlands, grasslands and deserts. However, these forests are the most biodiverse environments, and share many of their fauna with the other environments. A lot of Novopangeas fauna seems to have come from Zealandia, a small, isolated microcontinent located to the far south east that is about a quarter the size of Australia. It too is filled with its own bizarre fauna, not unlike Novopangea. A mixture of both familiar and unfamiliar groups live on this new earth- many groups seem to prefer mimicking ancient Ungulate groups, whilst others head into the unknown and produce utterly bizarre groups. Welcome then, to Novopangea. Table of Contents
Edited by Dapper Man, Aug 22 2016, 05:15 PM.
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Speculative Evolution: Manitou; The Needle in the Haystack. | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 4 2016, 04:20 PM Post #16 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Mammalia: The last of a long Lineage. Mammals of Novopangea are perhaps one of the more interesting subjects. Indeed, they have lasted for over 350 million years, but have mostly been pushed into small niches. After the end of the Cretaceous, they exploded in diversity, and, since the end of the Cenozoic, have been further pushed into smaller niches, although it was not the same as in the cretaceous, with new groups forming. Bats (Order Chiroptera) have proven their adaptability and seem to be almost unkillable. Whilst their diversity in Novopangea isn't as diverse as it is in the Holocene, these masters of the skies have hold their place, even with the presence of larger, reptilian flyers. Amongst many island communities, one is likely to find a bat of one form or another. However, the only family to remain of these interesting flyers are the Microbats (Or, scientifically, Microchiroptera.) Rodents (Order Rodentia) are much more successful. Like Bats, Rodents were able to colonize almost every habitat and continent of the earth in the Holocene. Essentially the ground dwelling version of Bats, Rodents are basically unkillable and extremely adaptable, so it wasn't a surprise to see them thrive in Novopangea. However, they, like all mammals, weren't able to diversify, although this was what scientists thought. Shrews (Family Soricidae) are some of the last of the Laurasiatheres, and have proven to be successful with the absence of their relatives. However, they are to specialized to radiate any further, being outcompeted by the Opossums and Rodents. Opossums (Order Didelphimorpha) are the most interesting families of surviving mammals. Unlike most groups, Opossums were able to produce quite large groups of animals. Indeed, these produced largish forms, like the Leaping Terror, a cat niched Opossum. Indeed, herbivorous forms arose as well. Edited by Dapper Man, Aug 11 2016, 02:29 AM.
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| CaledonianWarrior96 | Aug 4 2016, 06:43 PM Post #17 |
An Awesome Reptile
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What about bats? They're the second largest group of mammals and they're quite adaptable creatures that could occupy several niches |
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Come check out and subscribe to my projects on the following subforums; Future Planet (V.2): the Future Evolution of Life on Earth (Evolutionary Continuum) The Meuse Legacy: An Alternative Outcome of the Mosasaur (Alternative Evolution) Terra Cascus: The Last Refuge of the Dinosaurs (Alternative Evolution) - Official Project - Foundation The Beryoni Galaxy: The Biologically Rich and Politically Complex State of our Galaxy (Habitational Zone) - Beryoni Critique Thread (formerly: Aliens of Beryoni) The Ecology of Skull Island: An Open Project for the Home of King Kong (Alternative Universe) The Ecology of Wakanda: An Open Project for the Home of Marvel's Black Panther (Alternative Universe) (Click bold titles to go to page. To subscribe click on a project, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "track topic" on the bottom right corner) And now, for something completely different
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| Dapper Man | Aug 4 2016, 08:54 PM Post #18 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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I might have bats here and there, although they won't be as diverse as they are today. |
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Speculative Evolution: Manitou; The Needle in the Haystack. | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 8 2016, 01:56 AM Post #19 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Revised most of the articles. Others still to be done, like the Chthulu and the Leaping Terror. |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 13 2016, 02:56 AM Post #20 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Shenmidexiyi (Icarosphenodon Micrognathus) Originally posted in Com: Fill that Niche #9. Indeed, amongst the forests of Zealandia and Novopangea, a surprisingly diverse group of near-Squamtes have evolved. Descended from Tuataras (Sphenodon spp.), these consist of both terrestrial and aerial megafauna, and, in fact, produced the largest flying animals of the future, with some members of this group, called the Perittopterygia ("Odd Wing" in Greek.) These large not-lizards are some of the most conservative megafauna known to Novopangea. However, perhaps the most advanced Pertittopterygian is almost one of the smallest, the Shenmidexiyi (Meaning "Cryptic Lizard" in Chinese.) With a body length of 5cm and a wing span of 7cm, these small Nectivores are, seemingly, a mix between a Hummingbird and a Azhdarchoid from the Cretaceous. It is often classed as the "Cutest" animal of Novopangea, although cute is not a term to be used for flying, nectar eating near-lizards. These midgets play a small but significant role in their ecosystem, spreading pollen from flower to flower like the Hummingbirds of Holocene.Their small wing size and body size makes them among the most successful animals of Zealandia, being able to zip and zoom throughout the entangling forests, avoiding larger, possible predators. Troops of Shenmidexiyis consist of around 12-14 individuals. Mating occurs all year round, and gestation takes around 3-10 days. In fact, no eggs of Shenmidexiyis have been found, so it has been suggested that they might give birth to live young. |
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| peashyjah | Aug 13 2016, 03:37 PM Post #21 |
Bydo
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This project will always keep on greater and more awesome every time!! |
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Discontinued projects: The New Ostracoderms (i might continue with this project again someday) The Americas (where in 58 million years from now in the future North and South America has both become isolated island continents) All Expansions (my attempt at expanding the universe of All Tomorrows by Nemo Ramjet aka C.M. Kosemen, started June 6, 2018) Anthropozoic (my attempt at expanding the universe of Man After Man and also a re-imagining of it, coming 2019 or 2020) New Cenozoica (my attempt at expanding the universe of The New Dinosaurs and also a re-imagining of it, also coming 2019 or 2020) All Alternatives or All Changes (a re-telling of All Tomorrows but with some minor and major "changes", coming June 10, 2018) | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 13 2016, 03:38 PM Post #22 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Thank you! |
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Speculative Evolution: Manitou; The Needle in the Haystack. | |
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| peashyjah | Aug 13 2016, 04:12 PM Post #23 |
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Bydo
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You're welcome! |
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Discontinued projects: The New Ostracoderms (i might continue with this project again someday) The Americas (where in 58 million years from now in the future North and South America has both become isolated island continents) All Expansions (my attempt at expanding the universe of All Tomorrows by Nemo Ramjet aka C.M. Kosemen, started June 6, 2018) Anthropozoic (my attempt at expanding the universe of Man After Man and also a re-imagining of it, coming 2019 or 2020) New Cenozoica (my attempt at expanding the universe of The New Dinosaurs and also a re-imagining of it, also coming 2019 or 2020) All Alternatives or All Changes (a re-telling of All Tomorrows but with some minor and major "changes", coming June 10, 2018) | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 13 2016, 07:09 PM Post #24 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Zealandia: The resurgence of the lost world. Trying to do something different... Across the world, multiple tales have been told of "Lost Worlds." Indeed, most of these were proven to be sunken landmasses, but one held partially onto the tales: New Zealand, or Aotearoa. This small fragment was once a large sized sub continent called Zealandia, but most of it sunk during the Oligocene/Miocene. However, even in the Holocene, Zealandia was slowly rising again. Now, 250 million years in the future, it has finally re-established itself. Due to its bigger size, and lack of Humans to interfere (They went extinct in the Holocene Extinction Event), megafauna became much more common, and are surprisingly descended from Tuataras. The climate of Zealandia is much more forested than the rest of the world- and also resmebles a giant swamp, with medium sized mountains appearing where the North and South Islands once where. The atmosphere is hot and moist- not unlike the Triassic. This echoed a boom in Sphenodontian diversity. Whereas Savrungulates dominate the Novopangean megafauna, Sphenodonts trod and plod the swamps of Zealandia in vast diversity, mimicking ancient, outdated depictions of Dinosaurs, and have actually managed to successfully remain, even with the presence of the possible Savrungulate Oovignathus. Due to its location, near the "south pole" of Novopangea, the climate is colder than the mainland. Indeed, this is evidenced by its slightly larger megafauna, with the native Sphenodonts often being around 4-5 meters long, whereas their equivelents in Novopangea would be around 2-3 meters. Indeed, some animals presumed to be native to Zealandia have since been able to migrate to the mainland, like the Banshee. Other animals, like the Shemidexiyi, however, have been restricted to Zealandia for unknown reasons. Fauna of Zealandia: - Shenmidexiyi Edited by Dapper Man, Aug 14 2016, 01:41 AM.
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| El Dorito | Aug 14 2016, 06:02 AM Post #25 |
chlorinated opthalmic trigonometric shape of conspiracy and dank memes
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This looks pretty similar to my old project Atlantis:The Next Union (which I plan to update eventually in case anyone cares). Its not really copying, but there are a lot of similarities - squamate based terrestrial megafauna, mostly small mammals and birds, shark and cephalopod based ocean megafauna. Its only a general similarity but its noticeable. (This isnt me calling copyright im just curious)
Edited by El Dorito, Aug 14 2016, 06:03 AM.
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I REGRET NOTHING What if denizens of the United States call themselves 'Americans' so as to avoid being called USAliens? DeviantArt: EL-D0rito My Projects: Atlantis: The Next Union On hold until I regain interest. Argus: The Cyber-Planet Will be rewritten and redone almost completely | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 14 2016, 02:22 PM Post #26 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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True, although that wasn't my intention. However, I plan on getting to the weirder creatures in a bit. |
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Speculative Evolution: Manitou; The Needle in the Haystack. | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 14 2016, 06:25 PM Post #27 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Double post, but this is a idea that I've had for a long time: Angler-Monitors (Necrovaranus Tsouchteradon.) Perhaps the last Varanoid of Novopangea, these interesting hunters are nocturnal forest dwellers- basal Savrungulates (Keep in mind that they are descended from Skinks, which were, in the Holocene, mostly carnivorous) would otherwise outcompete these predators if not for their saving grace- the feature that they are named for- long, angler like appendages on their heads in which they use for grasping prey out of reach from their mouths, not unlike the Angler Fish that they are named after. A denizen of the woodlands of Novopangea, these are ambush predators commonly reaching 2 meters long. By the beginning of Novopangeas formation, many prey items became aware of the Varanoids hunting methods, causing them to go for further and further extremes. One group tried for Hypercarnivory, like the extinct ✝Sfazo Toudasous (Meaning "Butcher of the forest" in Greek), although these eventually were outcompeted by early Coronocymates like ✝Tsinkelidon Ophidos, a medium sized, Savrungulate equivalent of Hyaenadonts. Early Angler-Monitor ancestors, however, went in another direction- ambush hunting. Indeed, ambush hunting mammals like the Leaping Terror are present, but these Varanoids hunt differently. Using their anglers, they lure in their prey by shining these lights in the darkness, like biological light bulbs, before striking out with fanged teeth and powerful arms that behave like bear paws- with enough force to break a victims jaw in one swipe. Mating for Angler-Monitors occurs in Spring, with gestation of mothers occurring for around 2-3 months, with females being surprisingly protective for the first few months, before becoming seemingly cannibalistic- often, she'll eat her offspring after those few months due to the bond between Mother and Offspring being broken. Young Angler-Monitors are especially social- they will often hunt in packs due to them not yet developing the strength and the anglers of their parents, but become less and less social when maturing as these features develop. |
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| TerrificTyler | Aug 15 2016, 10:14 PM Post #28 |
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Snazz God
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Spoiler: click to toggle Alright, this was surprisingly quick to make. The darker green areas are meant to be forested areas, the tan is desert, and the rest is grassland or open woodland. I hope I did a good enough job. If I made any errors in biome or continental placement, do tell me. |
 The Time Bubble- A universe-sized terrarium My Deviantart Wkhuh duh rqob wzr jhqghuv | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 15 2016, 10:41 PM Post #29 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Thanks! |
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Speculative Evolution: Manitou; The Needle in the Haystack. | |
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| Dapper Man | Aug 15 2016, 11:10 PM Post #30 |
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* I am fed up with dis wuurld *
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Gitoukanenos Ocean: The biggest ocean on Earth. More world building, yay! Circulating the entirety of the globe, the Gitoukanenos Ocean (Formally the Atlantic Ocean, as this ocean originated from said ocean in the Holocene.) is where most of the worlds nutrition comes from. Originating from the Atlantic Ocean, this ocean outcompeted the Pacific, as the worlds former main ocean began to recede at the end of the Holocene. Indeed, most of the "Lost Worlds" have been spawned from the emergence of this goliath- from Zealandia, or Mu, to the Atlantic Island Chain (Contains the small sized island known as Atlantis and its close cousin, Antillia.) This enormous ocean holds claim to the most unique megafauna- from giant, flamingo headed Cuttlefish to relictual Ichthyosaur mimics, and even Pelagornis like soarers, able to glide on their wings for days. The climate of the Gitoukanenos Ocean is a prime mimic of its predecessor- in some places, it's calm and warm, in others, its a hot, boiling mess, with hurricanes blowing year round. Savrungulates dwell in its shores, in both Placodont and Pinniped mimicking forms. These "Pinnisuchii" clash with both Sharks and Cephalopods in epic battles that can last from a day to a minute. However, bony fish and marine invertebrates still dwell within the depths and shallows. Indeed, the climate is a chaotic mess. As per usual, out of the storm comes the calm- many island chains dominate this mythical ocean that dote the ocean, providing rare sources of rich nutrition. Even Zealandia, as isolated as it is, it is also rich in its own, unique way. Depending on which island you are on, the fauna is either dominated by Mammals, Sphenodonts, Birds, and, in one case, Invertebrates. Fauna of the Gitoukanenos Ocean: - Greater Chthulu - Geminishark Edited by Dapper Man, Aug 21 2016, 06:28 PM.
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