erez87
Lord of Random
It won't work for this kind of NES.
NESLife V
- Thread starter Daftpanzer
- Start date
That might depend fairly heavily on what exactly co-modding entails: Thlayli and North King made it work fairly well for PureNES a few years back.
That said, I might be interested in helping filter out unfeasible creature proposals, but that puts me in a position where I can't really submit creatures of my own without creating an excessive risk of bias.
That said, I might be interested in helping filter out unfeasible creature proposals, but that puts me in a position where I can't really submit creatures of my own without creating an excessive risk of bias.
Circuit
Writing Letters
Subscription post. Hoping to make a creature.
bonefang
Emperor
i would to work on something if i had a base on which to work with. ...
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
I'm aiming to update by the end of today (UK time), if you guys could NOT bump the thread I'm sure that would be appreciated by the people I've kept waiting for weeks!
BTW there is a subscribe option under Thread Tools at the top right
Thankyou but please take any further comments to my wall or PM...
BTW there is a subscribe option under Thread Tools at the top right
Thankyou but please take any further comments to my wall or PM...
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
Era 2: the Petrosian Era
Link to video.
This era is named after the Petrosa Sparguntur, a new class of hard-bodied, sessile filter-feeder that thrived in warm, shallow seas during this time. The planet remained mostly warm throughout, with increasing flows of nutrients in the ocean.
Thus this era witnessed a further, massive expansion of multicellular life in all habitats. The balance of clades established in the previous era remained more or less unchanged, but it was a time of diversification and sophistication. While Spiculids remained prominent predators - armed with an increasing array of senses and weapons - free-swimming life responded with quantity, forming ever-larger colonial masses for mutual gain, with some becoming more poisonous. Meanwhile, on the sea floor, life crawled and burrowed to safety, or grew thicker skins for protection. New wormlike creatures dominated the deep sea vents.
The most notable expansion on the tree of life, however, was the diversification of coastal algaeform life, especially that stemming from the ancestral Frother. This seems to be a response to the collision of mini-continents and constant changes to the coastal zones occurring at this time. Sprawling inland seas and lake complexes were continually formed and re-formed, with unpredictable water levels.
The Pioneer had a unique adaptation: a buoyant body that was able to take on an aerofoil shape in response to falling water levels. Some would be picked up by the wind and carried away, with a lucky few landing in new bodies of water; in the absence of any airborne spores at this time, these were the only multicellular lifeforms able to reach isolated lakes far inland. When conditions were right, in the wake of a strong seasonal storms, the air could be full of billions of tiny Pioneers gently drifting towards the ground, one of the natural spectacles of this era.
Exo-Algae was a relative that evolved mobile tendrils to slowly climb its way in and out of water as needed. These also functioned as primitive roots, being able to absorb nutrients from moist ground. A thicker skin resisted attacks by Spiculids and other predators, and incidentally provided for greater survival on land. Thus, while remaining adapted for a watery existence, Exo-Algae were also the first plantlike forms that were capable of sustaining themselves above water, clinging to life beyond the tidal zone and lakeside shores.
Meanwhile, the Neobarrus protected its core with a tiny hardened shell, offering temporary refuge from predators and also preserving moisture while out of water. Neobarrus shells are one of the classic fossils from this era, often well preserved in estuarine and tidal sediments. Although lacking the proto-roots of the Exo-Algae, Neobarrus was equipped with (slowly) retractable leaf-like structures to catch the light. Thus, although adapted for surviving periods out of water, the Neobarrus could also compete with the Neofloatus and other algaeforms for sunlight in sheltered lakes and lagoons.
The Slimer was another addition to this family, one that took the drastic direction of abandoning photosynthesis altogether. Organelles degenerated and were replaced with new cellular structures, as the Slimer evolved to feed solely on bacteria and nutrients left by the decay of creatures washed up on the shoreline.
Adding to this mixture was the Polychende, the first non-algaeform to be able to survive short spells out of water. Polychende had evolved a thick skin as a means of defence, and incidentally as minor protection against the harsh sun and dryness found above the waterline. Polychende was able to make scavenging trips to rock pools along the shoreline. Polychende was much more of a success on the seafloor habitat. A relatively simple, efficient crawler with moderate defences, a probing probiscus and unspecialised digestive organs, it proliferated in huge numbers throughout this era.
The Comendalia had other successes, as this family of opportunists continued to diversify. Deepgnu was a relative that evolved not only to survive the greater depths but also the extremes of the volcanic vent systems, where it scavenged for food particles among the swarms of Soleneid worms. Pingucomende Benetus was a shy, simple, sensitive burrowing relative in shallow water. Locosensus was a very agile crawler, at home amongst rocky outcrops where it could find shelter, using its primitive sense of smell to detect both food and danger. Here it competed somewhat with – and was occasionally eaten by – its relative the Oreallie, which also had a sense of smell and continued its distinct lineage of frilled blob-like creatures with powerful digestive abilities.
All of these seafloor creatures had emerged under predatory pressure of the spiculids, which in turn continued to evolve and diversify. Some Spiculids had evolved primitive eyes in the previous era, but the most notable of the Spiculids in this era remained blind; the Tremulus had instead a sense of smell like its Comendalian prey, in addition to a sense of vibration, able to detect meals hidden in sediment or under rocks, day and night. And it had a fearsome arsenal of weapons with which to dislodge them; its spiked torso, projecting multi-purpose harpoons was now equipped with a specialised mouth structure complete with slicing teeth. This versatile toolkit was unmatched in this era, making Tremulus the top predator in shallow waters.
The Archorus and its branch of evolution had now been eaten almost to oblivion. These static filter-feeders were meals for Spiculids and Comendaliae alike. Under intense pressure, the Petrosa Sparguntur emerged, with a porous, hardened body that was difficult for predators to attack. In combination with a very efficient filter-feeding mechanism, the Sparguntur was able to thrive and eventually spread worldwide, dominating the seafloor wherever there was sufficient plankton and hard surface on which to attach itself. Only the powerful digestion of the Oraellie was really efficient at attacking the Sparguntur, yet the ever-lurking Tremulus kept the Oreallie at bay and ensured this predation did not get out of hand.
New aquatic algaeforms also appeared in the shallows; Donki-Pertasinus was perhaps the most sophisticated of all, with a well developed stem system and numerous biological tricks to improve efficiency. It was however a tasty meal, being nibbled as fast as it could grow. Colonial towers of Neosilvaetus also appeared, towering above other lifeforms on the seafloor until their bases were eaten or ripped away by the current – only to scatter and re-form at a later date.
In the open ocean, the Spiculids remained very succesful; the archaic Stellacula not only survived but bloomed in greater numbers than ever before, as it duelled with the blooms of colonial Filiophyta. Meanwhile the Aguvericus continued the line of vision-equipped, active swimmers, able to be selective about its (blind) prey. Aguvericus had improved compound eyes, and added a splash of colour to the oceans, being naturally brightly coloured in order to distinguish each other. But, contradictory to their active lifestyle, these creatures retained a primitive digestive tract, making them slow-growing and unable to swarm in the same numbers as their 'primitive' relatives.
The shallow-burrowing horsehockytu lost the prominence it had held in the previous era, but the Filiophyta family remained highly succesful as open-water animals, especially the Photofilium and its new cousin, the Aranofilus, which again abandoned photosynthesis but adopted more complex colonial growth patterns. Each individual was an efficient filter-feeder, but together they formed ensnaring surfaces which could envelop and slowly digest larger prey; slow-motion duels were fought with drifting swarms of Stellacula. However, unlike the easy-drifting Stellacula, the individual Aranofilus were not efficient at holding their position in the water, and their colonial structures were limited by the need to expend energy to stay at the desired depth.
Another cousin, the Venefilium, evolved powerful poison, tipping the end of defensive spines. While a potent defence, it was somewhat biochemically expensive, and did not prevent accidental mutually-destructive entanglements with Stellacula, meaning their population never bloomed at the same rate as the Photofilium and Aranofilius. Aguvericus was one predator that did learn to avoid the Venefilium by visual recognition, as the poison-tipped spines evolved to become brightly coloured as a warning.
Colonial algaeforms also bloomed in the open ocean – when there was an upwelling of nutrients, Neofloatus often formed large structures that entangled with Photofilium and Aranofilium to form large floating masses, dozens of metres in length. These masses would eventually be broken up by infestation of Ngarta parasites, if not by erosion by Stellacula and other Spiculids; Tremulus was less common in the open ocean but could be attracted to such a concentration of food, being more than capable of steadily tearing its way through the mass of tissue.
However, it was the non-colonial algaeforms that were the overall winners, diverged from the earlier Alces Felix; Alces Felis used chemical signals to coordinate massed spawning and actively swim away from predators, a strategy that proved very succesful; meanwhile the Quanits evolved a number of biochemical tricks for more efficient photosynthesis and also became slightly poisonous, deterring casual predation.
In the deep ocean, the Soleneidea diversified into two main branches – the tentacled Ardens Worm, clinging to the sides of the volcanic vents, and the jawed Methanovermis, which tended to spread out among the surrounding sediments. The Deepgnu was a harmless invader from the shallows, scavenging for food particles in the deep.
Towards the end of this era, there was an overall cooling of the climate, a self-reinforcing effect of a large, mountainous continent forming over the northern pole and becoming covered in ice. While the open water of the southern pole did not freeze over, it also became substantially cooler. Neither habitat was suited to the multicellular life which had so far enjoyed globally-warm temperatures, and that was now restricted to a wide band around the equator...
Bonuses:
Tremulus - Lord_Iggy has +1 Gene Bonus
Petrosa Sparguntur - erez87 +1 Gene Bonus
Quantis - TerrisH has +1 Gene Bonus
Innovation award: Pioneer - filli_noctus has +1 Gene Bonus
Infamy:
Most half-assed evolution attempt: <nuke>, for the second time running (I even had to specifically ask for a species name. This service will not be repeated
)
Mis-spelling of the word 'niche': TerrisH
NOTES:
EDIT: as our 'plants' become more specialised / advanced (photosynthesis 2+) it is possible to specialise digestion to deal with them better (Digestion x [Plants +]). IE, herbivores! Else things like the Quantis and Donki-Pertasinus are difficult for omnivores to digest.
Some species now grant universal +1 gene bonuses for anyone who evolves from them. You will see this in the stats, and these are further highlighted on the tree of life by the asterisk (*) after their name. At present, this will not stack with player reward bonuses, so no more than 3 genes can be added to any evolution.
Pressure Resistance alone is enough to survive in the depths, but there is only sparse scavenging on the ocean floor. Heat Resistance does allow you to get close to the volcanic vents where there is a concentration of bacteria and nutrients.
@Son of Erdrick, your plant has more Holdfast than is necessary. Not a massive disadvantage, but just to let you know. Its as a genetic oddity
Everyone else, there were too many little changes and things to mention. Feel free to ask me about stuff. However...
In future, if I have major issues with your evolution, I may not take the time to have a PM conversation about it – to quote Crezth, 'play 20 questions to find out what you mean'. I stalled this update over the difficulties of dozens of evolutions. If you want updates, I have to be brutal on the one hand, and you have to help me out on the other – please see the section below on how to post your evolutions!
Those evolutions that didn't make the cut this turn: (I have to make decisions but feel free to argue / comment - its a learning experience for all of us ). From now on, species will need to survive their first era or they won't appear in the update or in the tree of life.
Oolta: Cannae
Our animals are pretty basic in their nervous systems (poor/no movement/senses), probably not very electrically active, so electric sense is bordeline useful at best. For a parasite of plants primarily, even less so. The swarming behaviour also seems to serve no real advantage I could imagine.
Stemende: Sonereal
You basically evolved the Avaracus (spikes/crawling), but without the eyesight... I couldn't see this species getting a foot in, especially with plenty of sister-species competing for scavenging.
Archaeovorus: SouthernKing
Close call on this one, and I know SouthernKing has been waiting for me to include this since the start of the NES ( ). There's quite a divide between the photosynthesising and deep ocean scavenging lifestyles and I couldn't quite see the advantage of being able to do both. Especially as there are now better species at both.
Link to video.
This era is named after the Petrosa Sparguntur, a new class of hard-bodied, sessile filter-feeder that thrived in warm, shallow seas during this time. The planet remained mostly warm throughout, with increasing flows of nutrients in the ocean.
Spoiler Life Forms! :
Thus this era witnessed a further, massive expansion of multicellular life in all habitats. The balance of clades established in the previous era remained more or less unchanged, but it was a time of diversification and sophistication. While Spiculids remained prominent predators - armed with an increasing array of senses and weapons - free-swimming life responded with quantity, forming ever-larger colonial masses for mutual gain, with some becoming more poisonous. Meanwhile, on the sea floor, life crawled and burrowed to safety, or grew thicker skins for protection. New wormlike creatures dominated the deep sea vents.
The most notable expansion on the tree of life, however, was the diversification of coastal algaeform life, especially that stemming from the ancestral Frother. This seems to be a response to the collision of mini-continents and constant changes to the coastal zones occurring at this time. Sprawling inland seas and lake complexes were continually formed and re-formed, with unpredictable water levels.
The Pioneer had a unique adaptation: a buoyant body that was able to take on an aerofoil shape in response to falling water levels. Some would be picked up by the wind and carried away, with a lucky few landing in new bodies of water; in the absence of any airborne spores at this time, these were the only multicellular lifeforms able to reach isolated lakes far inland. When conditions were right, in the wake of a strong seasonal storms, the air could be full of billions of tiny Pioneers gently drifting towards the ground, one of the natural spectacles of this era.
Exo-Algae was a relative that evolved mobile tendrils to slowly climb its way in and out of water as needed. These also functioned as primitive roots, being able to absorb nutrients from moist ground. A thicker skin resisted attacks by Spiculids and other predators, and incidentally provided for greater survival on land. Thus, while remaining adapted for a watery existence, Exo-Algae were also the first plantlike forms that were capable of sustaining themselves above water, clinging to life beyond the tidal zone and lakeside shores.
Meanwhile, the Neobarrus protected its core with a tiny hardened shell, offering temporary refuge from predators and also preserving moisture while out of water. Neobarrus shells are one of the classic fossils from this era, often well preserved in estuarine and tidal sediments. Although lacking the proto-roots of the Exo-Algae, Neobarrus was equipped with (slowly) retractable leaf-like structures to catch the light. Thus, although adapted for surviving periods out of water, the Neobarrus could also compete with the Neofloatus and other algaeforms for sunlight in sheltered lakes and lagoons.
The Slimer was another addition to this family, one that took the drastic direction of abandoning photosynthesis altogether. Organelles degenerated and were replaced with new cellular structures, as the Slimer evolved to feed solely on bacteria and nutrients left by the decay of creatures washed up on the shoreline.
Adding to this mixture was the Polychende, the first non-algaeform to be able to survive short spells out of water. Polychende had evolved a thick skin as a means of defence, and incidentally as minor protection against the harsh sun and dryness found above the waterline. Polychende was able to make scavenging trips to rock pools along the shoreline. Polychende was much more of a success on the seafloor habitat. A relatively simple, efficient crawler with moderate defences, a probing probiscus and unspecialised digestive organs, it proliferated in huge numbers throughout this era.
The Comendalia had other successes, as this family of opportunists continued to diversify. Deepgnu was a relative that evolved not only to survive the greater depths but also the extremes of the volcanic vent systems, where it scavenged for food particles among the swarms of Soleneid worms. Pingucomende Benetus was a shy, simple, sensitive burrowing relative in shallow water. Locosensus was a very agile crawler, at home amongst rocky outcrops where it could find shelter, using its primitive sense of smell to detect both food and danger. Here it competed somewhat with – and was occasionally eaten by – its relative the Oreallie, which also had a sense of smell and continued its distinct lineage of frilled blob-like creatures with powerful digestive abilities.
All of these seafloor creatures had emerged under predatory pressure of the spiculids, which in turn continued to evolve and diversify. Some Spiculids had evolved primitive eyes in the previous era, but the most notable of the Spiculids in this era remained blind; the Tremulus had instead a sense of smell like its Comendalian prey, in addition to a sense of vibration, able to detect meals hidden in sediment or under rocks, day and night. And it had a fearsome arsenal of weapons with which to dislodge them; its spiked torso, projecting multi-purpose harpoons was now equipped with a specialised mouth structure complete with slicing teeth. This versatile toolkit was unmatched in this era, making Tremulus the top predator in shallow waters.
The Archorus and its branch of evolution had now been eaten almost to oblivion. These static filter-feeders were meals for Spiculids and Comendaliae alike. Under intense pressure, the Petrosa Sparguntur emerged, with a porous, hardened body that was difficult for predators to attack. In combination with a very efficient filter-feeding mechanism, the Sparguntur was able to thrive and eventually spread worldwide, dominating the seafloor wherever there was sufficient plankton and hard surface on which to attach itself. Only the powerful digestion of the Oraellie was really efficient at attacking the Sparguntur, yet the ever-lurking Tremulus kept the Oreallie at bay and ensured this predation did not get out of hand.
New aquatic algaeforms also appeared in the shallows; Donki-Pertasinus was perhaps the most sophisticated of all, with a well developed stem system and numerous biological tricks to improve efficiency. It was however a tasty meal, being nibbled as fast as it could grow. Colonial towers of Neosilvaetus also appeared, towering above other lifeforms on the seafloor until their bases were eaten or ripped away by the current – only to scatter and re-form at a later date.
In the open ocean, the Spiculids remained very succesful; the archaic Stellacula not only survived but bloomed in greater numbers than ever before, as it duelled with the blooms of colonial Filiophyta. Meanwhile the Aguvericus continued the line of vision-equipped, active swimmers, able to be selective about its (blind) prey. Aguvericus had improved compound eyes, and added a splash of colour to the oceans, being naturally brightly coloured in order to distinguish each other. But, contradictory to their active lifestyle, these creatures retained a primitive digestive tract, making them slow-growing and unable to swarm in the same numbers as their 'primitive' relatives.
The shallow-burrowing horsehockytu lost the prominence it had held in the previous era, but the Filiophyta family remained highly succesful as open-water animals, especially the Photofilium and its new cousin, the Aranofilus, which again abandoned photosynthesis but adopted more complex colonial growth patterns. Each individual was an efficient filter-feeder, but together they formed ensnaring surfaces which could envelop and slowly digest larger prey; slow-motion duels were fought with drifting swarms of Stellacula. However, unlike the easy-drifting Stellacula, the individual Aranofilus were not efficient at holding their position in the water, and their colonial structures were limited by the need to expend energy to stay at the desired depth.
Another cousin, the Venefilium, evolved powerful poison, tipping the end of defensive spines. While a potent defence, it was somewhat biochemically expensive, and did not prevent accidental mutually-destructive entanglements with Stellacula, meaning their population never bloomed at the same rate as the Photofilium and Aranofilius. Aguvericus was one predator that did learn to avoid the Venefilium by visual recognition, as the poison-tipped spines evolved to become brightly coloured as a warning.
Colonial algaeforms also bloomed in the open ocean – when there was an upwelling of nutrients, Neofloatus often formed large structures that entangled with Photofilium and Aranofilium to form large floating masses, dozens of metres in length. These masses would eventually be broken up by infestation of Ngarta parasites, if not by erosion by Stellacula and other Spiculids; Tremulus was less common in the open ocean but could be attracted to such a concentration of food, being more than capable of steadily tearing its way through the mass of tissue.
However, it was the non-colonial algaeforms that were the overall winners, diverged from the earlier Alces Felix; Alces Felis used chemical signals to coordinate massed spawning and actively swim away from predators, a strategy that proved very succesful; meanwhile the Quanits evolved a number of biochemical tricks for more efficient photosynthesis and also became slightly poisonous, deterring casual predation.
In the deep ocean, the Soleneidea diversified into two main branches – the tentacled Ardens Worm, clinging to the sides of the volcanic vents, and the jawed Methanovermis, which tended to spread out among the surrounding sediments. The Deepgnu was a harmless invader from the shallows, scavenging for food particles in the deep.
Towards the end of this era, there was an overall cooling of the climate, a self-reinforcing effect of a large, mountainous continent forming over the northern pole and becoming covered in ice. While the open water of the southern pole did not freeze over, it also became substantially cooler. Neither habitat was suited to the multicellular life which had so far enjoyed globally-warm temperatures, and that was now restricted to a wide band around the equator...
Bonuses:
Tremulus - Lord_Iggy has +1 Gene Bonus
Petrosa Sparguntur - erez87 +1 Gene Bonus
Quantis - TerrisH has +1 Gene Bonus
Innovation award: Pioneer - filli_noctus has +1 Gene Bonus
Infamy:
Most half-assed evolution attempt: <nuke>, for the second time running (I even had to specifically ask for a species name. This service will not be repeated
)Mis-spelling of the word 'niche': TerrisH
NOTES:
EDIT: as our 'plants' become more specialised / advanced (photosynthesis 2+) it is possible to specialise digestion to deal with them better (Digestion x [Plants +]). IE, herbivores! Else things like the Quantis and Donki-Pertasinus are difficult for omnivores to digest.
Some species now grant universal +1 gene bonuses for anyone who evolves from them. You will see this in the stats, and these are further highlighted on the tree of life by the asterisk (*) after their name. At present, this will not stack with player reward bonuses, so no more than 3 genes can be added to any evolution.
Pressure Resistance alone is enough to survive in the depths, but there is only sparse scavenging on the ocean floor. Heat Resistance does allow you to get close to the volcanic vents where there is a concentration of bacteria and nutrients.
@Son of Erdrick, your plant has more Holdfast than is necessary. Not a massive disadvantage, but just to let you know. Its as a genetic oddity
Everyone else, there were too many little changes and things to mention. Feel free to ask me about stuff. However...
In future, if I have major issues with your evolution, I may not take the time to have a PM conversation about it – to quote Crezth, 'play 20 questions to find out what you mean'. I stalled this update over the difficulties of dozens of evolutions. If you want updates, I have to be brutal on the one hand, and you have to help me out on the other – please see the section below on how to post your evolutions!
Those evolutions that didn't make the cut this turn: (I have to make decisions but feel free to argue / comment - its a learning experience for all of us
). From now on, species will need to survive their first era or they won't appear in the update or in the tree of life.Oolta: Cannae
Our animals are pretty basic in their nervous systems (poor/no movement/senses), probably not very electrically active, so electric sense is bordeline useful at best. For a parasite of plants primarily, even less so. The swarming behaviour also seems to serve no real advantage I could imagine.
Stemende: Sonereal
You basically evolved the Avaracus (spikes/crawling), but without the eyesight... I couldn't see this species getting a foot in, especially with plenty of sister-species competing for scavenging.
Archaeovorus: SouthernKing
Close call on this one, and I know SouthernKing has been waiting for me to include this since the start of the NES (
). There's quite a divide between the photosynthesising and deep ocean scavenging lifestyles and I couldn't quite see the advantage of being able to do both. Especially as there are now better species at both.
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
ATTENTION: BEFORE YOU POST A NEW EVOLUTION
I am requiring your help! Please format your evolution post as follows: it will help me ALOT when dealing with dozens of evolutions. Ignore this, and I may ignore you!
Please Include only these lines:
You are more than welcome to expand on your description as much as you want, but please separate it from the essentials above.
And please do NOT bother posting the updated gene list for your creature. I will do this myself because A: I will probably change the names of new genes/abilities you introduce, and B: I want to check everything over anyway.
Let's roll!
I am requiring your help! Please format your evolution post as follows: it will help me ALOT when dealing with dozens of evolutions. Ignore this, and I may ignore you!
Please Include only these lines:
You are more than welcome to expand on your description as much as you want, but please separate it from the essentials above.
And please do NOT bother posting the updated gene list for your creature. I will do this myself because A: I will probably change the names of new genes/abilities you introduce, and B: I want to check everything over anyway.
Let's roll!
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Lovely update! Getting this in for great success!
Gaiafilium: Thlayli
Evolved from: Photofilium
Genes added: Swimming x1 [Motile Cilia], Colonial x1, Trapping Cilia x1 [Suction Apparatus]
Description: Gaiafilium simply accentuated the positive trends that had made Photofilium such a success. Larger accumulations of colonial cells began to bi-specialize, with suction-creating intake cilia at a now clearly defined anterior, and motile cilia at a clearly defined posterior. Interior cells increased their storage space to allow differential energy gradients, and a proto-vascular system allowed nutrient transfer between movement and digestion/production cells. Gaiafilium was simply a larger, faster, more efficient version of Photofilium, with the ability to consume drifting filter feeders and extract supplemental nutrients from the sun with ease.
Note: This creature now has Swimming x2, Trapping Cilia x2, and Colonial x2, as well as Digestion x1 and Photosynthesis x1.
Gaiafilium: Thlayli
Evolved from: Photofilium
Genes added: Swimming x1 [Motile Cilia], Colonial x1, Trapping Cilia x1 [Suction Apparatus]
Description: Gaiafilium simply accentuated the positive trends that had made Photofilium such a success. Larger accumulations of colonial cells began to bi-specialize, with suction-creating intake cilia at a now clearly defined anterior, and motile cilia at a clearly defined posterior. Interior cells increased their storage space to allow differential energy gradients, and a proto-vascular system allowed nutrient transfer between movement and digestion/production cells. Gaiafilium was simply a larger, faster, more efficient version of Photofilium, with the ability to consume drifting filter feeders and extract supplemental nutrients from the sun with ease.
Note: This creature now has Swimming x2, Trapping Cilia x2, and Colonial x2, as well as Digestion x1 and Photosynthesis x1.
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
Great update daft! More branching shenanigans to follow.
Circuit
Writing Letters
Circulutus: Circuit
Evolved from: Tremulus
Genes added: Crawling x1, Shell x1, Digestion x2 [+Scavenger]
Genes removed: Drifting x1,
Description: Some Tremulus' spikes grouped together and hardened further, creating a shell which not only provided defense but also structure to the body. The harpoons also grouped together to form makeshift legs. These creatures began to evolve near the coastline, where they were essentially an amphibious creature that would catch prey in the shallows and also scavenge off dead creatures on the coastline. The shell also provided for water retention; the amphibious would collect most of its water while in the shallows, then hold water for limited time on land. While amphibious, though, most of the creature's life was spent in the water.
Evolved from: Tremulus
Genes added: Crawling x1, Shell x1, Digestion x2 [+Scavenger]
Genes removed: Drifting x1,
Description: Some Tremulus' spikes grouped together and hardened further, creating a shell which not only provided defense but also structure to the body. The harpoons also grouped together to form makeshift legs. These creatures began to evolve near the coastline, where they were essentially an amphibious creature that would catch prey in the shallows and also scavenge off dead creatures on the coastline. The shell also provided for water retention; the amphibious would collect most of its water while in the shallows, then hold water for limited time on land. While amphibious, though, most of the creature's life was spent in the water.
Dentinus: merciary
Evolved from: Locosensus
Genes added: "Mouth" x1 (really just some primitive mouth like object), Shell x1
Description: In order to get the most out of whatever food it could find the Dentnus has developed a "mouth" in order to insure that all food makes it to digestion. With the added nutrients the Dentinus was able to develop a shell-like coating around its body to provide some protection from the digestive juices of the Oreallie.
Evolved from: Locosensus
Genes added: "Mouth" x1 (really just some primitive mouth like object), Shell x1
Description: In order to get the most out of whatever food it could find the Dentnus has developed a "mouth" in order to insure that all food makes it to digestion. With the added nutrients the Dentinus was able to develop a shell-like coating around its body to provide some protection from the digestive juices of the Oreallie.
Omega124
Challenging Fate
Deephunter: Omega
Evolved from: Deepgnu
Genes added: Teeth x1, Crawling x1
Genes removed: Drifting X1
Description: As the Deepgnu settled into life as the scavenger of deep sea based scavenging, it became apparent that this lifestyle wasn't productive. They would have to wait until they saw a dead corpse or the rare patch of Algae to eat, and with the darkness it was a literal shot in the dark to find those two things. Some Deepgnu, however, decided that live prey was just as good as dead, and therefore rudimentary teeth started to form. Meanwhile, a lifestyle more focused on crawling led to the Deepgnu forgoing drifting altogether. And thus the Deephunter was conceived.
Evolved from: Deepgnu
Genes added: Teeth x1, Crawling x1
Genes removed: Drifting X1
Description: As the Deepgnu settled into life as the scavenger of deep sea based scavenging, it became apparent that this lifestyle wasn't productive. They would have to wait until they saw a dead corpse or the rare patch of Algae to eat, and with the darkness it was a literal shot in the dark to find those two things. Some Deepgnu, however, decided that live prey was just as good as dead, and therefore rudimentary teeth started to form. Meanwhile, a lifestyle more focused on crawling led to the Deepgnu forgoing drifting altogether. And thus the Deephunter was conceived.
Helicus: Lord_Iggy
Evolved from: Spirulus
Genes added: Thermal Sense, Smell Sense, Jet Propulsion
Description: The Helicus has adapted its Spirulid body plan into a tapering helical format with numerous filaments connecting one coil to the next, essentially forming itself into a large, living basket. This creature is capable of tightening its body into a sealed ovoid, forming a chamber of compressed water that can be expelled directionally, providing propulsion. With the ability to sense both temperature and water chemistry, the Helicus is well able to track down large organic masses in open water. While its harpoon filaments no longer serve as mobility aids, they do still serve as a potent tool for predation- a favoured hunting technique of the Helicus is to suck in a large amount of water, then feed on the ingested prey items at its own leisure. In some cases, Helici have been observed engulfing large colonial organisms, making use of their very large internal surface area to break down the feast.
@Circuit: Vibration sense is still very useful on land for sensing movement, and your creature has no traits for surviving any amount of desiccation right now. Also, does it need eyes, or do you think it could do its job with some other sense that hasn't evolved independently five times already?
Other than that, welcome to the Phylum Spiculidae! 
Evolved from: Spirulus
Genes added: Thermal Sense, Smell Sense, Jet Propulsion
Description: The Helicus has adapted its Spirulid body plan into a tapering helical format with numerous filaments connecting one coil to the next, essentially forming itself into a large, living basket. This creature is capable of tightening its body into a sealed ovoid, forming a chamber of compressed water that can be expelled directionally, providing propulsion. With the ability to sense both temperature and water chemistry, the Helicus is well able to track down large organic masses in open water. While its harpoon filaments no longer serve as mobility aids, they do still serve as a potent tool for predation- a favoured hunting technique of the Helicus is to suck in a large amount of water, then feed on the ingested prey items at its own leisure. In some cases, Helici have been observed engulfing large colonial organisms, making use of their very large internal surface area to break down the feast.
@Circuit: Vibration sense is still very useful on land for sensing movement, and your creature has no traits for surviving any amount of desiccation right now. Also, does it need eyes, or do you think it could do its job with some other sense that hasn't evolved independently five times already?
Other than that, welcome to the Phylum Spiculidae!
Circuit
Writing Letters
Good advice. Updated creature.
TerrisH
Mischief?
Quantis frigus: TerrisH
Evolved from: Quantis
Genes added: Photosynthesis, Cold resistance, Sporogenesis
Description: as the oceans grew colder, the Qunatis continued to refine it's internal makeup. Better means of absorbing light, more efficient replication of itself, and most importantly, adaptation to the colder waters of the southern sea. where other Algaeform's struggled slightly in the southern waters, it thrived.
OO: hmm, I wonder how high I can get the Photosynthesis to go?
and sorry about the misspelling last turn daft. ^_^
Evolved from: Quantis
Genes added: Photosynthesis, Cold resistance, Sporogenesis
Description: as the oceans grew colder, the Qunatis continued to refine it's internal makeup. Better means of absorbing light, more efficient replication of itself, and most importantly, adaptation to the colder waters of the southern sea. where other Algaeform's struggled slightly in the southern waters, it thrived.
OO: hmm, I wonder how high I can get the Photosynthesis to go?
and sorry about the misspelling last turn daft. ^_^
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
I forgot to apologise for keeping everyone waiting for weeks - there was a lot of simple procrastination on my part!
THANKS for using the updated evo template!
@TerrisH, I was just being uppity, no worries
EXTENDED NOTE: as our 'plants' become more specialised / advanced (photosynthesis 2+) it is possible to specialise digestion to deal with them better (Digestion x [Plants +]). IE, herbivores! Else, things like the Quantis and Donki-Pertasinus are difficult for omnivores to digest.
THANKS for using the updated evo template!
@TerrisH, I was just being uppity, no worries
EXTENDED NOTE: as our 'plants' become more specialised / advanced (photosynthesis 2+) it is possible to specialise digestion to deal with them better (Digestion x [Plants +]). IE, herbivores! Else, things like the Quantis and Donki-Pertasinus are difficult for omnivores to digest.
Daftpanzer
canonically ambiguous
NOTE: it can go really high, with diminishing returns... If you imagine a curve of actual efficiency vs actual gene level, Id say it starts to level off after x5. Beyond that, the only real reason to keep increasing is to compete for a little advantage against other lifeforms with similar abilities.
IE, the difference between x1 and x5 should be considered greater than x5 and x10 (and especially x10 and x15, etc).
Krzowwh
King
Litoribarrus: Krzowwh
Evolved from: Neobarrus
Genes added: Tendril [mobile] x1, Water Retention x1
Description: The Litoribarrus prefers to live around coastal waters, able to control its movement back to ideal location. The risk of habitation near the coast is to become washed upon the shore; however, the Litoribarrus has evolved its own interesting solution: to use its conservation of water in order to survive the journey back to water, which it accomplishes through using its tendrils, adaptations of some of its retractable leaves, to slowly travel back to the coastal waters.
Evolved from: Neobarrus
Genes added: Tendril [mobile] x1, Water Retention x1
Description: The Litoribarrus prefers to live around coastal waters, able to control its movement back to ideal location. The risk of habitation near the coast is to become washed upon the shore; however, the Litoribarrus has evolved its own interesting solution: to use its conservation of water in order to survive the journey back to water, which it accomplishes through using its tendrils, adaptations of some of its retractable leaves, to slowly travel back to the coastal waters.
Spoiler :
erez87
Lord of Random
Carnes vermis: erez87
Evolved from: horsehockytu
Genes added: Skeleton x1, Beak x1, Digestion x1 [+1 Meat eating]
Genes removed: Trapping cilia x1
Description: The Carnes vermis have several life stages. Their larvae are tiny swimming things that do not feed at all. As the larvae grow a second stage appears as small trapping cilia and burrowing muscles appear on their heads, the secondary larval state burrows under the ground and filters plankton with their trapping cilia for several months. As more and more energy is stored the Carnes vermis continue to change. A stiff cartilaginous chord appears on their backs giving them a hold to muscles and strength against predators without a very strong bite. Eventually at the head part the Carnes grow a cartilaginous beak able to bite on anything smaller than them or unprotected and they leave their burrows looking for plankton and prey across the sea. In order to digest this new food sources, the Carnes vermis have a longer gut able to digest much more than mere plankton.
bank the other point.
BTW we have no semi-fungus in this world!
Oh and I should probably add, since I usually don't, as usual... AMAZING update. You really do make the most appealing updates look-wise, and most interesting lifeNES updates. It is sad you can't keep up with your own greatness
Evolved from: horsehockytu
Genes added: Skeleton x1, Beak x1, Digestion x1 [+1 Meat eating]
Genes removed: Trapping cilia x1
Description: The Carnes vermis have several life stages. Their larvae are tiny swimming things that do not feed at all. As the larvae grow a second stage appears as small trapping cilia and burrowing muscles appear on their heads, the secondary larval state burrows under the ground and filters plankton with their trapping cilia for several months. As more and more energy is stored the Carnes vermis continue to change. A stiff cartilaginous chord appears on their backs giving them a hold to muscles and strength against predators without a very strong bite. Eventually at the head part the Carnes grow a cartilaginous beak able to bite on anything smaller than them or unprotected and they leave their burrows looking for plankton and prey across the sea. In order to digest this new food sources, the Carnes vermis have a longer gut able to digest much more than mere plankton.
bank the other point.
BTW we have no semi-fungus in this world!
Oh and I should probably add, since I usually don't, as usual... AMAZING update. You really do make the most appealing updates look-wise, and most interesting lifeNES updates. It is sad you can't keep up with your own greatness
bonefang
Emperor
Name : LutoFilia
Evolved from: Aranofilium
Genes added: Saprophytic Digestion [*1]
Genes removed: Swimming x1,
Description: With the development complex colonial structures with its cousin, Photohpylum, Lutofilia emerged as a new breed,which sacrificed its swimming ability, and developed a primitive stage of saprophytic ability, that utilized the carcasses of other organisms, that were a part of the flotsam. The organism started to breakdown the constituents of the carcasses, which provides much needed inorganic minerals as well as vital amino acids.
OOC: My first attempt, am I doing it right ? also, thanks Erez
Evolved from: Aranofilium
Genes added: Saprophytic Digestion [*1]
Genes removed: Swimming x1,
Description: With the development complex colonial structures with its cousin, Photohpylum, Lutofilia emerged as a new breed,which sacrificed its swimming ability, and developed a primitive stage of saprophytic ability, that utilized the carcasses of other organisms, that were a part of the flotsam. The organism started to breakdown the constituents of the carcasses, which provides much needed inorganic minerals as well as vital amino acids.
OOC: My first attempt, am I doing it right ? also, thanks Erez
