u/Necrolithic

widowmaker

Ninth day of making a species evolve based off of the comments from this subreddit.

The rules are simple, comment an adaptation or several changes to this animal's biology (that do not contradict each other or make drastic changes) that may help it better thrive in its environment, also if you feel extra come up with a scientific name in latin that you would like to name the new species. The top comment will be implemented in the next iteration or generation and the rest will be discarded (sorry).

Valuable Context:

This is a highly derived descendant of the modern earth gastropod species Physa acuta (Ramshorn Snail) that ended up in an exoplanet in a foreign dimension. The details of this exoplanet will remain vague as to help keep the challenge simple (and because I am still working on fleshing out the abiotic factors of the environment).

New adaptations (see previous posts for evolutionary history on my acc)

The environment continues to change, and so does our gastropod friend. Gastrodon gigicanticus, has converged with elephants, despite being millions of years apart. Millions of years have passed since we last observed this species. The deserts now encompass 18% of the planet's surface. The sun's rays now hit harder with the greenhouse effect caused by wildfires of the remaining forests. In order to survive this extreme heat, adult Gastrodons are now equipped with a white back that reflects most light, along with blue fan-like organs to regulate heat. They have evolved to be an astonishing 23 feet tall and 10 metric tons. This extreme weight has pressured this species to evolve more pillar-like legs and less armor, using its goliath size for defense. They have also evolved a strong internal skeleton made of pyrite to further support their weight, becoming more like a vertebrate rather than invertebrate. The ancestors of this species once had to rely on wet seasons to breed, in fear of their eggs dessicating even if they were tucked beneath their parents' tails. Their are not enough wet seasons to rely on anymore, so now the eggs are internalized in a pouch where they are fertilzed, hatch, and grow into a semi-independent calf that can survive without immediate moisture. This method of reproduction limits the amount of offspring an individual can create, forcing deeper parental care and bonds; also encouraging a deeper emotional intelligence. With the decline of food, Gastrodons can no longer afford to be picky, now using their giant clawed jaws to tear roots and animals. While Gastrodons no longer depend on water to reproduce, they still need to drink, and with water holes being few and far between, this has forced Gastrodons to adopt a migratory life style, always on the move for new water holes as the others dry up. An interesting trait of Gastropod neurology has proven to be useful as these descendants become smarter. Gastropods have simple nervous systems, and any memories they do have are stored in RNA rather than solely nerve connections. While they cannot share these memories genetically, it does hold potential, and in this instance, the Gastrodons have seized that potential. Gastrodons have the ability to transmit memories through RNA solely to their offspring. This ability is primarily used to record locations of prior water holes and migration routes, but it has the potential for so much more. While memories can't be passed with adult members of a herd, simple messages can still be communicated through hue shifts on their heat regulating fins. These fins can communicate simple meanings such as: "Back off!" or "𝓛𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓮" with different colors meaning different emotions. Males still fight each other, but avoid lethal injuries, as they are now smart enough to back down from a fight when need be.

These Gastrodons are smarter than any of their ancestors, and as you look into their eyes you can see that. You can see a mind that knows what it is behind those eyes. And those eyes look back, with a sense of familiarity.

This next evolution will be the last jump, as these animals begin to communicate more than just memories or emotions, but ideas, opinions, and a plan to become more than what they are. There is now an added rule to this post, that being that the comments must pertain to the fact that this animal will become sapient.

The adaptation made was chosen by u/arachknight12

Eighth day of making a species evolve based off of the comments from this subreddit.

The rules are simple, comment an adaptation or several changes to this animal's biology (that do not contradict each other or make drastic changes) that may help it better thrive in its environment, also if you feel extra come up with a scientific name in latin that you would like to name the new species. The top comment will be implemented in the next iteration or generation and the rest will be discarded (sorry).

Valuable Context:

This is a highly derived descendant of the modern earth gastropod species Physa acuta (Ramshorn Snail) that ended up in an exoplanet in a foreign dimension. The details of this exoplanet will remain vague as to help keep the challenge simple (and because I am still working on fleshing out the abiotic factors of the environment).

New adaptations (see previous posts for evolutionary history on my acc)

Saltogastroceras, which translates to leaping horned snail, has taken a great leap in its evolution; partly due to a drastic change in climate. Continents have all converged into a second Pangea, which has land-locked many regions of the globe, reducing precipitation. In order to adapt to this change, these gastropods have opted for a more mobile lifestyle, traveling in herds of 20 or more that migrate long distances in search of fleeting freshwater. This lack of water has made breeding with permeable eggs more difficult, and so female Saltos can furl their tail inward and press it beneath their body to retain moisture and carry eggs- some males may even participate in this parental care- if it is after mating season. During the spring, many different herds converge and exchange populations to promote genetic diversity. The exchange is typically through females, which are won by males fighting for their right to mate. The frontal shell plate has protruded forward to aid in frontal attack against rivals. During a fight, both males will circle each other and then create a distance; to where they will turn to face each other and run and jump at high speeds to knock the other out. Most fights end at the first impact, usually leading in one if not both experiencing concussions; however extreme instances can result in cracked shells, which are fatal. The jaws of these snails have grown longer with their increasing height to pick up plants and small animals from out of the dirt. While not yet having evolved true terrestrial eggs, they have evolved hardened skin to hold moisture like reptiles.

Someone proofread what I just wrote because I am really tired.

If you need help thinking of useful adaptations, keep in mind that this species constantly competes with other individuals for the same food source, think about reproduction, think about different environments that they may have to adapt to, such as shallower seas. They may change diet or behavior, anything could happen. Also, feel free to ask me anything on this post since I probably will be checking this post frequently.

The adaptation made was chosen by u/soshp

The art is really bad because I used alcohol markers, I'm still trying to find my old markers.

Seventh day of making a species evolve based off of the comments from this subreddit.

The rules are simple, comment an adaptation or several changes to this animal's biology (that do not contradict each other or make drastic changes) that may help it better thrive in its environment, also if you feel extra come up with a scientific name in latin that you would like to name the new species. The top comment will be implemented in the next iteration or generation and the rest will be discarded (sorry).

Valuable Context:

This is a highly derived descendant of the modern earth gastropod species Physa acuta (Ramshorn Snail) that ended up in an exoplanet in a foreign dimension. The details of this exoplanet will remain vague as to help keep the challenge simple (and because I am still working on fleshing out the abiotic factors of the environment).

New adaptations (see previous posts for evolutionary history on my acc)

Minimal adaptations this time, only having evolved stronger anterior digging claws and wider shell for shaping mud into artificial canals and ditches.

If you need help thinking of useful adaptations, keep in mind that this species constantly competes with other individuals for the same food source, think about reproduction, think about different environments that they may have to adapt to, such as shallower seas. They may change diet or behavior, anything could happen. Also, feel free to ask me anything on this post since I probably will be checking this post frequently.

The adaptation made was chosen by someones account that is now gone, sorry.

Anolis, the seed world for Anoles.

All great evolutionary lineages start with a single pioneering species. Here is Eohexapisces mimus, a descendant of the Mosquitofish from Earth. This poeciliid is nearly identical to it's recent ancestor, save for a slight increase in size and an alteration to the hox gene. Over the course of around 500,000 years, all organisms on this newly populated world have experienced adaptive radiation. Descendants of aquatic anoles have tooken advantage of the abundance of poeciliids and lack of predators which has created a difficult environment for poeciliids such as Mosquitofish. Mosquitofish on Earth have been observed to hide in substrate and bottoms of rivers and streams to avoid birds. While there are no birds on Anolis, water anoles prove just an equal if not greater threat. Eohexapisces mimus has adapted this behavior into a lifestyle, with individuals spending a larger majority of their life hidden deep within the river's substrate. Sometimes staying hidden in this environment can become difficult during storms or strong currents. To counter this, these fish have evolved a dual cuadal fin, which solely serves as an exta extremity to grip to the river bed. This has an additional benefit for males, as it increases the rate of suscess in fertilizing females. The Eohexapisces mimus's diet primarily consists of algae, snails, worms, and small insect larvae. They often are preyed upon by crayfish and emerald crabs, but they can be detected through their vibrations in the water. While Eohexapisces mimus may seem insignificant, the third pair of fins will develop a body plan that will give rise to a group of vertebrates that may even rival the anoles.

5 inches or 13 centimeters