Speculative Anatomy - Tumblr Posts
whats an oviparent and graiparent???????
i probably should explain this
the organisms on ngiu◗ and most organisms on dumuno are hermaphroditic, but they have evolved so that only one of the two organisms mating has to lay an egg, this has divided them into two choices when they mate, oviparent, the one who lay the eggs, or graiparent, the one who fertilizes the eggs, not laying the eggs but still passing on your genes is an ideal option for most organisms so on ngiu◗ if they want to mate the ideal choice would be graiparent, so when mating they will use more peaceful display options like the feather ears, or more violent options like the moss dragons, oviparents usually have their title until their offspring are ready to be off on their own while graiparents are only discussed about in the act of mating and if theyre in one of the few species that has monogamy, other than that they mate and they leave
i hope this helps you understand! if youre still confused then keep asking!! if you ask about specific things i could give more specific answers and all
Spec Evo Project: Maya 1b
Part 1: The Sophonts
Some background Info:
My spec evo world Maya 1b or Halahal, it's a planet a bit smaller than earth but with a much higher eccentricity and axial tilt than ours that leads to a relatively cold, dry world with extreme seasonal shifts, this project is about exploring how the biology of the creatures and subsequently the culture of the sophont species would work in such an environment
Enough about the world, here we go
These guys are my main sophont species, one that I've tentatively named "Butterfly Hawks", part of the Artiopoditheria (transl. Even-Legged Beast) phylum that contains creatures having 12,6 or 2 legs
The Butterfly-Hawks are a group of dodecapods that have developed powered flight and hunt in packs among the grassy plains of their planet and are starting to display the first signs of sapience
Alright onto anatomy
1) Eyestalks
They possess one pair of retractable eyestalks on the anterior part of the head covered in "fuzz" that serve the fuction of both mechanoreceptors and to protect the eyes
This feature grants them a wide range of vision, a characteristic of their phylum
The head is a bit smaller than pictured here, the fuzz accounts for about 40℅ of its size
2) Antennae
Instead of an ear, they have four feathery antennae-like structures present near the eye stalks
These mainly serve the function of mechanoreceptors, picking up vibrations, auditory & pheromone signals and could be moved around and adjusted like the pinnae of cats or dogs
The antennae are also moved around to help communicate with other members of the species
They are mainly dark in colour covered with spot like designs to facilitate communication by making the it easier to identify and read the movements
3) Feeding Appendages
All Artiopods possess a pair of feeding appendages to capture and ensnare prey and which also often aid in defense often situated above or surrounding the opening to the proboscis
The Butterfly-Hawks possess quite a robust pair of feeding appendages with long inward curved spikes(not pictured here) to quickly kill and tear apart prey
As past of the body it is also covered with picnofibres to help insulate the body
4) Forewings
The first pair of limbs in hexapods is modified to form the first wing in Butterfly-Hawks and their relatives
These are the secondary wings and are slightly rounded to help steer and maneuver the body while flying
Each wing also possesses three fingers
Thus, when not flying, the fore wings are also used to grasp and to manipulate tools
The fore wings surround the opening to the proboscis and also sometimes help in further breaking down food to "swallow"
5) Midwings
The midwings are formed by the fusion of the 2nd, 3rd & the 4th pair of limbs in the dodecapods, three fingers curl inwards to form the wing and the other three are used for griping and standing when not in flight
These are the primary set of wings, broad, muscular and used to generate flight
The Butterfly-Hawks have an average wingspan of about 7 feet
These wings possess an splotchy pattern that is dark at the extremities and yellow or whitish near the centre
This splotchy pattern helps members of a pack to identify one another like seen in the multicolored coats of Painted dogs, and like human fingerprints the pattern on each Butterfly-Hawk is specific to that individual only
6) Hindwings
The hindwings are formed by fusion of the 5th & 6th pair of limbs in dodecapods
Longer and pointer in shape than the forewings this set of secondary wings play a greater part in balancing and steering analogous to the tails of earth birds
While similar in function to bird tails, they have a greater range of mobility and could be unfurled and adjusted to make flight easier
The hindwings are held up in most situations while flying or walking as the large midwings provide a stable enough surface but the could be extended down to provide extra stability to the body while perching or walking
7) Spiracles
Butterfly-Hawks like other artiopods, possess two pairs of spiracles in the upper side of their body, one pair near the forewings and the other near the hindwings
Work alternatively to inhale and exhale air
As such the respiratory system of all Artiopods is distinct from the digestive system making it a more efficient method of respiration than the one humans possess
Aaaaaand we're done for now
This was a very general overview of the physiology of the Butterfly-Hawks, the next part I'll probably upload will shown the other major phylum on this planet, the Perissopoditheria (or the Odd-Legged Beast) in the meantime enjoy this Butterfly-Hawk sitting and thanks for reading
SPEC EVO
Maya 1b Part 2: General Anatomy
1) Artiopodithera
A) The 3 Artiopod Classes
(Sizes not actually upto scale but kinda relative)
B) i) Adult Anatomy
ii) Nymph Anatomy
2) Perissopodithera
A) The 3 Perissopod Classes
B) Perissopod Anatomy
