*Insert gas mask strapping noises*

I will be venturing out the bunkers for a considerable while. However, I do have other mammal supervisors taking my place meaning if you need anything from the other mammals they are there to help you inhabitants as they make their runs through the interbunker tunnel system. I will keep you updated as I go. Stay inside, stay safe. I will return to the bunkers in a short while.

Purgie of the mammal council here.

I got this here demonstration from on top of our Yucatan spike, we're starting to install the first tree slingshots for sulfur bombs and ankylosaurs of AAS to hopefully shoot this thing off course while directly breaking itself over the tip of the spike is the last line of defense we have against this asteroid.

The Yucatan spike is a steep climb so for those of you willing to make the sacrifice for Hell Creek just be aware you're gonna have to swim and then climb up a nearly 117-degree incline.

Some of my mammal workers got to using some underground sulfur and we blew out a piece of land in Yucatan into this giant spike, thanks to the mosasaurs for getting us to and from the ocean and land, this should be big and pointy enough to break the asteroid apart when it lands point blank on the tip like a chisel

I F I N D C O O L T R E E

C O L O N Y E X T E N S I O N ?

F O O D F O R C O L O N Y

L O N G L E G G Y A N T (p i c t u r e d a b o v e) ⬆️

I D O N O T K N O W W H Y I A M L O N G A N D H A V E H U N D R E D S O F L E G S B U T I L O V E B E I N G A N T

Stats:

- Name: Prionoraptor spiculus ("Beowulf")

- Length: 45 feet (16.7 meters)

- Height: 15 feet (4.8 meters)

- Weight: 14.5 metric tons (15,500 kilograms)

- Bite force: 93,000 newtons

- Speed: 3-4 mph (walking/default), 18-25 mph (jog/power-walk).

Genome:

1. Tyrannosaurus rex:

The base genome; I don't think I need to go over why. But, just in case no one already figured this out, T-Rex provides its massive size and broad stature, extremely durable muscles and skeleton, ventral gastralia, exceptionally well-developed vision and olfaction, a deeply sunken hip joint for sustained agility, solid intelligence, and of its primary weapons: a massive, robust, shock-absorbant skull delivering the strongest bite force of any land animal through 60 banana-shaped, deeply-rooted teeth.

2. Tarbosaurus bataar:

Tarbosaurus's specialized angular and dentary bones had a unique ridge-and-groove which would have allowed the jaw to lock up in place when biting down on a prey item, turning the mandible into a rigid structure that would have prevented dislocation or snapping when the animal it bit into started struggling. Enhancing T-Rex's already powerful bite in this way allows Beowulf to both drive solid banana-shaped teeth through other animals' outer defenses while ensuring once he secures a solid grip, his jaws will not yield or release their hold regardless of how hard the other animal starts to struggle.

3. Apatosaurus ajax:

Similar to some theropods though with a more guaranteed purpose, its bifurcated (two-pronged) neural spines give Beowulf a full bony ridge across his back to anchor massive muscles and tendons that afford extra attachment points for the muscles in other places of his body, as well as massive caudofemoralis muscles that, unlike those of other dinosaurs (such as Shantungosaurus and Carnotaurus), maximize raw physical force when it comes to mobility over attempting to sustain high speeds that would not be possible at megatheropod sizes.

Compared to lighter relatives like Diplodocus, the neural spines and overall vertebrae of Apatosaurus are noticeably wider, chunkier, and built to handle higher mechanical stress. These would also have provided large surface areas for insertion of spinal and epaxial musculature, which theropods like Carnotaurus did not have the advantage of due to oversized, hyper-dominant CFLs. A high-backed profile like this also anchors the massive forces transmitted from the hips and shoulder girdle during locomotion.

Let's not also forget its V/Y-shaped chevrons located lengthwise along the underside of the tail, which would've also housed massive tail muscles and would likely also support the massive CFLs. All in all, these specialized skeletal adaptations provide immense balance and support the theropod's anatomy very well.

4. Eoabelisaurus:

This was chosen over other abelisaurs because it still has functional, well-developed arms while also providing the benefit of condensing the length of the snout to concentrate that bite force closer to the fulcrum (jaw muscles and mandible joint) for raw power when clamping down on a target and, overall, just ensuring more force is delivered compared to the original base genome. The functional arms help retain instincts and congruity for the contributors that will provide Beowulf's massive, weaponized forelimbs.

5. Hippopotamus gorgops:

This provides flared, forward-pointing processes on the rear of the Tyrannosaurus mandible for colossal muscle attachments and a specialized, shallow mandibular socket that allows the jaw to roll back and open incredibly wide, similar in principle to some theropods like Allosaurus, whose jaws could open up at a staggering 90 degrees. Combined with the existing Tyrannosaurus bite force and condensed abelisaurid-like snout, this allows Beowulf to open his jaws incredibly wide and snap down with devastating force or get his mouth around extremely girthy limbs and anatomical structures.

This modified jaw joint is then further assisted by a pair of highly elastic, springy jaw muscles called the orbicularis oris that act like an accordion, whose elastic traits are also spread into the other jaw muscles to allow them to stretch incredibly wide in order to allow the mouth to open as wide as it can. Yes, in mammals such a mandibular joint would occur on the dentary, but in the case of a reptile like this, this sort of structural modifier would just alter the articular instead.

6. African grey parrot:

These birds possess two unique muscle types in their jaw no other bird outside of the parrot family possesses: the musculus ethmomandibularis and musculus pseudomasseters. Combined with a thick, durable, razor-sharp beak in front of the teeth and colossal adductor muscles that function similar in line to that of a ceratopsian, and Beowulf's bite becomes that much nastier; the already condensed snout, flared mandibular processes, extreme jaw gape, and now these new additional muscles paired with a shearing, pointed beak transform Beowulf's bite into the stuff of nightmares.

There is still one more contributor that could make this even worse. Also, let's not forget the parrot's intelligence and extremely developed cognition by means of a hyper-advanced telencephalon with densely packed neurons, as well as the ability to utilize tetrachromatic vision, all of which are added here.

7. Komodo dragon:

This lizard provides both its iron-edged, ziphodont tooth serrations for extra sharpness and durability along the cutting edges, and its fatal hemotoxic venom that causes fatal hemorrhaging and external/internal bleeding. More importantly though, the tail vertebrae are made biconcave in structure with extra fatty cushioning to completely the cushioning muscles of the sauropod, allowing Beowulf to use his tail to defend against attacks from the rear. Though, in principle like a monitor lizard, the tail is used less like a whip and more like a solid club, bludgeoning with a muscular "push" over a cut-like lashing blow. Its potent antimicrobial immune system and powerful vomeronasal organ (coupled with a bird-like motile tongue to flick scents up) also added, just because.

8. Kookaburra:

A kookaburra's skull is fused to act as a stiff hammer; the impact energy bypasses the braincase by being channeled directly down the rigid bone lines of the jaw and safely dissipating into the bird’s sturdy shoulders and body cavity.

These fused skull bones, enlarged and dense bony ridge (occipital crest) specifically designed to anchor hyper-developed neck muscles, and cushioning cervical cartilage and hypertrophied neck muscles combine with thick nictitating membranes to prevent blood vessels in the eyes from popping and stabilizing sclerotic rings from the base genome keeps the eyes unharmed and allows Beowulf to thrash his head from side to side like a pitbull as he lands a bite or absorb the shock of his colossal bite force.

This also makes it easier to ram as T-Rex’s anatomy was build to absorb serious blunt force trauma especially in the skull; the shortened, bulldog-like face with these fused nasal bones and cushioning neck adaptations send the force from the top of the skull directly through the neck and into the shoulders where the force is distributed into the ground safely. Beowulf's angular and dentary are less fused to allow for the jaw-locking mechanism to function effectively.

9. Megatherium americanum:

It seems pretty obvious why the sloth is here.

Those massive arms, modified scapula, powerful deltoid muscles, and elbow processes provide incredibly large, powerful forelimbs with sickle-shaped claws and immense physiological leverage and dexterity for grappling and swiping. This also provides a unique layer of durodentine located underneath the enamel coating outside and allow the cementum to intertwine with the existing enamel for extra support and the ability to self-sharpen the teeth (thegosis) when chewing food, meaning instead of relying on deliberately practiced grinding, the teeth naturally sharpen as Beowulf feeds or bites down into whatever is on the receiving end of his jaws.

10. Maip macrothorax:

In proportion to its body, this megaraptoran possessed an especially wide chest cavity which likely housed more powerful cardiopulmonary organs and a system of massive air sacs that would have supercharged stamina, which benefits Beowulf incredibly well. The humerus, like other megaraptorans, would likely have had massive deltapectoral crests and a greater range of motion than most theropods, which synergizes well with the ground sloth arms for devastating swipes.

This wide chest is needed because his air sacs are a smidgen oversized thanks to contributions from the Apatosaurus which allow him to take in more oxygen and help him breath more easily. More oxygen equals more stamina meaning better thermoregulation and being far less likely to tire out as quickly as other theropods. This extra boost in stamina is again a redundancy but it’s definitely good to have.

11. Red kangaroo:

Kangaroos are the gold standard for tendon elasticity. Up to 80% of the energy used is recovered directly from the elastic recoil of the massive tendons in their hind legs. As they speed up, their unique mechanics allow them to move faster without burning additional oxygen, which here would provide Beowulf with even stronger leg tendons that work in tandem with the colossal leg muscles and CFLs of the Apatosaurus for incredible power in his back legs that make his tyrannosaur-level agility all the more necessary for running down and catching targets off guard with his sheer efficiency.

Now, Beowulf is a speed demon with extreme agility even at this size. Looking pretty good.

12. Blue wildebeest:

A landmark study from the Royal Veterinary College revealed that blue wildebeest possess a mind-boggling muscle efficiency rate of 62.6%, making the blue wildebeest the titleholder for having the most efficient muscular system in the mammalian kingdom. It converts nearly two-thirds of its energy directly into movement; it only loses a third as heat. Combined with heavily muscled forequarters and high-efficiency hemoglobin, most of the muscle efficiency goes straight into mobility instead of thermal radiation, which prevents overheating to a significant margin.

Beowulf now obtains these extremely efficient muscle fibers and unprecedented stamina that combine with everything else for allowing him to sustain pursuit predation and remaining in combat far longer than most theropods could by default. With Gnu-like muscle efficiency, he can now spend most of his energy purely for movement and combat while only dumping a third of that energy as excess body heat, which is quickly flushed out thanks to his powerful breathing system.

13. Thorny devil:

Two things: the armor and the thermoregulation. Thorny devils possess a full-body coverage of rigid, extremely durable keratinous spikes that act as briars that protect even their throat and underbelly, fending off predators and likely causing deep lacerations at this scale.

When combined with the thick hide of the Apatosaurus, the defense becomes more than adequate without hindering mobility. The rigid, jagged spines protect Beowulf’s new-founded leg tendons and CFLs from getting slashed and turns the tail into a biological hacksaw when used to bludgeon attackers trying to strike from the rear, which in turn adds two layers of protection for the legs and CFLs.

In addition, their limbs possess highly muscular dermal capillaries that help pull water across the skin by means of capillary action which act as a method of thermoregulation, allowing the lizard to drink that condensed moisture to remain hydrated. Granted, as warm-blooded (or at least within the homeothermy spectrum) as they were, saurischian air sacs likely helped regulate their body temperature, but this is just a failsafe.

14. Virginia opossum:

LTNF proteins are added into Beowulf's blood from this. Everyone knows what these do already (broad spectrum neutralization of toxins), so I don't need to explain this too much.

The Bite of Kenge (song)

Side note: This guy is an OLD hybrid of mine. But I thought it was his time for stardom! :]

Stats:

- Length: 32 feet (9.7 meters)

- Weight: 980 kilograms

- Bite force: 13,050 newtons

- Speed: 15 mph (using bursts of power); slow-crawl by default

Genome:

1. Megalania (Varanus priscus)

The biggest terrestrial lizard of them all. This already establishes Kenge as a behemoth, loaded with muscle and immense physical strength, as well as by default introducing a monitor's highly efficient olfaction, intelligence, and a potent anticoagulant venom delivered by means of serrated teeth fit to bring down megafauna in or above the lizard's weight class. This also introduces the robust gular (throat) respiration which monitors use to give them unprecedented stamina in the reptilian world. There's not much more to add on; there's a reason Megalania remains the most feared lizard of all time.

2. Komodo dragon:

We can't quite confirm if Megalania itself possessed tooth edges laced with iron oxides, so through the Komodo dragon, Megalania is guaranteed to have these iron edges along his teeth. In addition, the Komodo dragon's specialized anticoagulant-proof immune system that also remains potent to infectious bacteria is also added, retaining Kenge's resilience. This also ensures high congruency due to Megalania's close evolutionary relationship to the Komodo dragon. This also adds a layer of osteodermine (a mineral which caps osteoderms) over the lizard's jagged spines; these spines are present as a result of a later contributor.

3. Prognathodon:

Mosasaurs themselves are just marine monitor lizards, so synergy remains consistent. Proganthodon saturator remains one of the most robust mosasaurs in the fossil record, which is what Kenge is intended to be (a robust reptile), so it also keeps him bulky and physically strong. It offers its bolstered size (though the weight as you might notice is not multiple tons), pressure-sensitive snout nerves to use when swimming in water, the actual behavioral affinity for amphibious hunting, and a second row of pterygoid teeth at the roof of the mouth that gives Kenge a superior biting surface.

4. Crocodile monitor:

The congruency just gets better and better. Though Kenge's teeth remain thick and firmly anchored, the crocodile monitor adds a greater backwards curve to the teeth where they can sink in deep and hook other animals in place, never releasing their grip. This also subtly modifies the skull shape, though this is just a redundancy to maintain how robust Kenge is.

5. Merten's water monitor

This monitor lizard possesses unique, upward-facing nostrils equipped with physical valves that seal tight like a submarine hatch when they dive, preserving their oxygen supply while their tongue does the tracking by bringing odors to a powerful vomeronasal organ. This is present in Kenge in addition to a more laterally compressed tail. While he might not be able to submerge fully for a long time like a crocodile, it's just enough to let him ambush when hiding under the water and swim through a river to catch up to prey.

6. Thorny devil:

The first non-monitor in the genome, this obviously provides its unique coverage of rough, heavily keratinized scales and jagged keratin spines that cover the animal; from the head to the brow ridges, the neck, back, tail, limbs, and even the underside which has smaller spikes of its own. This turns Kenge into a living bed of nails, which each scale and spike heavily reinforced by osteodermine, that is extraordinarily hard to grapple or bite into without shredding up one's gums or hands and makes tail whips that much more built to lacerate and cut. This also provides a network of small capillaries in the legs that use capillary action to draw up water from the ground and keep the lizard hydrated, useful to help Kenge recover from bursts of power.

7. Toad-headed agama:

This lizard provides its key feature: serrated, fringe-like scales on all four feet, located on the soles and under the digits, offering Kenge superior traction when moving across uneven or awkward terrain and letting him sustain a more powerful grip on prey when in a grapple or tussling another animal in his weight class.

8. Tarbosaurus:

Monitor lizards have incredibly sharp vision, but with Tarbosaurus we can increase it in Kenge's own eyesight and ensure duplex vision. For context, monitors have simplex vision (relying on only cone or rod cells), whereas animals like dinosaurs had duplex vision (an even mix of cones and rods). This helps solve a major issue Kenge would've had originally: poor nighttime vision. In addition, this elevates our hybrid's metabolism to a steady mesothermy, and also provides unique angular and dentary bones which lock together when the lizard bites down, preventing or effectively inhibited jaw dislocation. Our hybrid will also earn air sacs (though non-pneumatic bones; he's not so heavy that he would need hollow bones) which pair well with the gular pumping, ensuring an adequate boost in stamina and potentially the ability to store more oxygen when holding his breath.

9. Scalloped hammerhead:

The only non-reptile actually prevents Kenge from fatally building up lactic acid which lizards like him are susceptible to by means of the inclusion of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH), which allow the hybrid to sustain anaerobicity when holding his breath underwater or in bursts of power; though he is a mesotherm, lactic acid can still build-up. Whereas LDH manages sustained anaerobic power (though not indefinitely), MDH binds to and cleans up lactic acid, neutralizing and recycling the lactate into reusable energy for another burst of power.

Stats:

- Length: 55 feet (16.7 meters)

- Weight: 21 metric tons (21,000 kilograms)

- Bite force: 127,424 newtons

- Speed: 2.5 knots (cruising/default), 19 knots (bursts of power)

Genome:

1. Greenland shark:

The base genome. This shark was chosen to aid our shark in surviving in the deep sea, where the water temperature can drop to sub-zero temperatures. It also sports a slow metabolic rate and sustains a steady, slow-moving cruise by default, aiding in conserving energy. This base genome also adds trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) into the shark, counteracting the effects of urea buildup and acting as an anti-freeze compound to prevent ice crystals from forming in their cells. Though the metabolism is slow, it isn't as sluggish as the Greenland shark, as this is slightly offset just enough by multiple sharks in its genome.

2. Whale shark:

This provides his enormous size and substantial physical bulk, while upping the structure and size of his dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins for more efficient hydrodynamics when sustaining a cruise. In addition, its thick skin and eye denticles will be included to help our shark protect its body and vision, but with the extra addition of a specialized cartilage bar that, much like the donor species, also Yushan to pull back his eyes into their sockets temporarily when charging at prey or defending against an attack, using this anatomical ability and optical denticles to prevent the eyes from being damaged.

3. Bramble shark:

These sharks possess the largest denticles in proportion to their body of any shark (these denticles are also rougher and thorn-like); save for the eyes, the rest of the body is fitted with these enlarged denticles to behave like superior armor than what the whale shark would have originally provided. Some of their denticles may even be fused into multi-cusped, flexible plates that feel almost similar to sea urchins; this is present in Yushan. A foul-smelling dermal mucus up to several millimeters thick they produce is also laid across his well-defended hide to discourage other animals and hybrids from attempting a bite or risk a retch-worthy taste in their mouth.

4. Porbeagle shark:

Porbeagles possess some of the most high-efficiency rete mirabile (a complex of blood vessels that acts like a radiator) of any shark. Unlike other sharks, though, this extends to their eyes and brain as well, keeping them, their vital organs, and swimming muscles warm similar to tuna; this countercurrent heat exchange helps our hybrid even more, as it is able to keep its body much warmer than most fish in the deep sea, and even aid in transferring heat when the shark surfaces as far up as the mesopelagic (twilight) zone, though it won't go much higher in the water column than that. This heating system overall keeps our hybrid energetic whenever it enters combat or a hunt.

5. Tiger shark:

This adds a slew of obvious features; immense jaw muscles and a uniquely squarish facial profile, alongside identical, heavily serrated teeth which helps Yushan bite through tough and rip chunks from armored targets and thick hides; even sea turtle shells aren't safe. In addition, this species provides a generally stronger digestive system and a unique tolerance or partial immunity against toxins like venomous sea snakes, giving our hybrid enough of an immune system to better tolerate attacking/consuming toxic opponents or toxic prey. This also enhances the nares to pick up the scent of blood better in the water.

6. Scalloped hammerhead shark:

This genetic contribution provides some elite advantages for our otherwise slow-cruising shark. Primarily, the presence of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) aids our shark in quickly breaking down and counteracting lactic acid buildup during a burst of speed or energetic maneuvers; though Yushan naturally slows down to recuperate and recalculate a missed strike, these compounds aid in breaking down the lactic acid that would've otherwise built up in the muscles and even convert it back into usable energy.

They can also temporarily close up their gill slits via branchial valves, which Yushan has, though it is now repurposed to defend against potential opponents which may utilize slime or thick mucus clouds as a defense mechanism or simply protect the gills using thick, thorny denticles and foul-smelling dermal mucus from another creature's jaws (in any other case it would've aided in deep-diving; Yushan is naturally a deep-ocean creature, so using it for that reason is not necessary).

7. Coffin ray:

Despite what you might assume, the coffin ray does not provide electrical organs. Instead, it provides a compound called myelin, which is a wax-like or rubbery substance that coats the nerves to protect it against the ray's own electrical shock; while our hybrid doesn't utilize electrical organs, it does inherit the myelin coating over the nerves and brain to protect it against animals with electrogenic organs. It's an intelligent solution to a frequently used biological weapon.

8. Taillight shark:

This allows the hybrid to spray a bioluminescent ink from its rear end, disrupting hybrids that attack from the rear or pursue from behind, or to disorient a target while the shark comes in for a deadly strike.

9. Pteraspis:

This unique, primitive fish provides plates of dermal bone on the shark's cranium; since these plates grow in the skin and not the skeleton itself, it doesn't affect our shark's cartilage in the slightest and will not crack under deep-sea pressure due to being attached to a more fluid, flexible body of cartilage. Most ambitiously, this provides its unique horn-like rostral projection; this bony horn is very well-supported and robustly anchored to the shark's massive body, and combined with a layer of bramble shark denticles, turns it into a savage lance-like piercing weapon on the shark's face, or like a chainsaw when Yushan is swiping this weapon similar in principle to a billfish.

10. Diplacanthus:

Defensive fin spines. Need I say more?

11. Edaphodon:

This is a massive prehistoric ratfish, which today are some of the most well-adapted deep-sea organisms on Earth. We'll be adding its large eyes (protected by whale shark optical denticles) and exceptionally sharp, rod-dominant vision to see in the deep sea and mesopelagic zones. Yushan can easily see in the dark waters he inhabits when traversing across the global ocean deep in the bathypelagic zone and to catch opponents approaching from a distance. We'll also be taking in its advanced electroreceptive pores, which will be found on the lower jaw, allowing our shark to keep its cranial defenses without losing its vital "sixth sense."

12. Scaly-foot gastropod:

This adds iron-sulfides and other metallic compounds into the horn itself (though only in the outer bone to prevent iron poisoning), using specialized gut bacteria to gather it from deep sea vents, primarily gregite; while this does reinforce the weapon to prevent it from being heavily damaged in any given scenario, this also makes the horn partially similar to a lightning rod.

Because the hybrid's brain and nerves are insulted by myelin already and protected from electrical shocks, the "iron horn" will partially aid in drawing the electric current to the presence of the horn's metals and spreading it out and away from the shark's body, inhibiting other hybrids from effectively bringing electric weapons to bear on Yushan. Iron sulfides, even though not fully conductive, are still semi-conductive and can fulfill this purpose just enough. If not fully, then just enough, though this is still just a redundancy.

13. Pacific black seadragon:

A dragonfish provides two advantages: extraordinarily densely packed melanosomes in the skin, turning it an ultra-black color to completely hide in the deep ocean and act as camouflage in darker waters, and a pair of suborbital photophores which project light in the far-red spectrum; located just under the eyes, this acts like a pair of submarine searchlights for Yushan, allowing him to quite literally shine a light on whatever is hiding in the darkness.

14. Cuvier's beaked whale:

Since our hybrid already has counters for lactic acid, he needs a way to counter asphyxiation or hypoxia since he can shut his gills to protect them from otherwise lethal attacks. Enter this whale, providing its unique high-efficiency stores of surplus hemoglobin and myoglobin to keep the blood pumping and muscles charging, at least until he opens up his gills again; there should, ideally, be no situation where he needs to hold his breath for this long, but these traits are a redundant failsafe for such a scenario. In addition, this spreads out a thick layer of collagen-dense subcutaneous fat (blubber) for an extra energy reserve, aid in retaining heat in colder/darker waters, and as an extra layer of internal armor against physical trauma.

15. Giant oceanic manta ray:

To conclude, we utilize the largest manta ray species for both flexibility and wing-like flapping in the large pectoral fins (derived from the whale shark). This is especially useful because of the way the horn is used; by keeping his tail neutral and flapping these highly flexible fins forward, he can quickly push himself back and pull his horn out from an impaled target's flesh. Granted, billfish-like swiping is the more likely use of the horn, but this feature is a contingency if a full-scale impalement does occur against an opponent.

We'll also be adding the intelligence; manta rays have the largest brain-to-body mass ratio of any fish on Earth; they passed the mirror self-recognition test and possess superbly developed cerebellar structures enabling complex spatial mapping, long-term memory, and advanced social communication. In Yushan, these traits translate to pure predatory intelligence, giving him an advantage against highly intelligent marine reptiles or even cetaceans, the latter of which makes this intellect level exceptionally key.

Their theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgB2qItM76g

HYBRID 1: AGMENOPTERUS AUDAX ("Courageous troop wing")

Dimensions:

- Height: 6.75 feet (2.1 meters)

- Length (snout to rump): 9 feet (3 meters)

- Wingspan: 28.5 feet (8.7 meters)

- Weight: 310 pounds (141 kilograms)

Genome:

1. Thalassodromaeus:

The base genome.

2. Hatzygopteryx:

This adds a minor boost in size and mass; it maintains the overall robustness of the body provided by the base genome.

3. Pelagornis:

Instead of teeth, we simply add these imposing serrations in their place, keeping the load on the skull light, as well as expanding the proportions of the wingspan to maintain glide without needing to flap much.

4. Ruppell's griffon vulture:

This adds a developed innate immune system, enhanced olfaction, and unique stores of hemoglobin to deal with hypoxic conditions whether natural (e.g. the stratosphere) or artificial (e.g. tear gas).

5. Kunpengopterus/"Monkeydactyl":

This adds an opposable thumb among the wind digits, as well as adding a small rudder on the (still reduced) tail, for aesthetic purposes and aiding in mid-air steering(?)

6. Harpy eagle:

This modifies the structure of the back legs and equips all functioning digits with hooked claws; the food strength in the hind legs is also enhanced, allowing the pterosaur to lift almost the entirety of its body length. Those feet may also aid in dexterity alongside the thumbs. The harpy eagle also increases the depth perception and binocular visual acuity of the hybrids. This also adds barbs on the tongue.

7. Kookaburra:

This fuses the bones in the skull and adds flexibility in the base of the mandible, allowing the hybrid to bite and thrash its victims side to side; the combined stockiness and defined musculature of Thalassodromaeus and Hatzygopteryx means it can maintain the robust neck muscles needed to absorb the shock and enable these devastating, fatal bites.

8. Great horned owl:

This influences the high density of the pycnofibers (NO HYDROPHOBIC OILS ARE REMOVED UNLIKE THE CONDITION SEEN IN OWLS) and enhances the auditory acuity of the hybrid via asymmetrical earhole placements. This also increases the density of rod cells in the eye to complement the many cone cells of the harpy eagle, enabling incredibly sharp duplex vision.

9. Northern fulmar:

This adds the foul-smelling, waxy "fulmar oil" seen in these birds, which can be orally vomited from the mouth, which can be used to incapacitate other flying animals mid-air and blindside jet pilots.

10. European hedgehog:

This puts barbed quills within the dense layer of pycnofibers, increasing defenses without weighing the hybrid down. This also gives the hybrid some degree of broad-spectrum venom resistance.

11. African grey parrot:

This enhances the pterosaur's intelligence and enables complex cognition. Combined with tool use, this enables easy training for combat and utility purposes through a pecking order in which a lead Agmenopterus can guide its subordinate flock members to do the same. This also adds a syrinx to the pterosaurs to allow them to reproduce various sounds, including human vocalizations, to confuse enemy soldiers and lead them into ambushes, or mimic the sounds of ground vehicles to do the same, and vice versa. This also gives it tetrachromatic color vision (red, green, blue, and UV).

12. Oilbird:

This adds the ability to echolocate; the highly symmetrical, complex syrinx and advanced cognition of the parrot allows each Agmenopterus to create their own vocal signatures for themselves, which through vocally mimicking and contracting their broncholateralis muscles, can be used by the flock to call out to each other using their unique "names." This echolocation can also be used similarly to bats, pinging the environment by means of these unique clicks to figure out what's around them.

HYBRID 2: ARCTOLUPUS FERRODENS ("Iron-toothed bear-wolf")

Dimensions:

- Height (at the head): 6.75 feet (2.1 meters)

- Length (snout to tail): 17 feet (5.1 meters)

- Weight: 1.55 tons (1550 kilograms)

Genome:

1. Megistotherium:

The base genome.

2. Archaeotherium:

This adds raised neural spines for extra muscle attachments to the forequarters, neck, and skull and enlarged zygomatic arches for enlarged masseters.

3. Hippopotamus gorgops:

This modifies the shape of the rear of the mandible and the joint, allowing for a much wide gape similar to modern hippos. This also adds to the sheer size of the animal and thicker skin for added defense, as well as "blood sweat" that acts as an antimicrobial sunscreen and a means of preventing overheating, which is complemented by a coat of fur that is still short and manageable.

4. Glossotherium:

This giant ground sloth adds robust scapula and deltoids, as well as processes in the elbows, for incredible forelimb strength. This also adds a ground sloth-like tail of pure dense muscle and bone, fit to help the hybrid bear its weight when rearing up. Because its fur coat is short, Arctolupus is also fitted with the sloth's lightweight-but-durable, chainmail-like subdermal ossicles hidden under the short coat of fur, complementing the thick hippo-like skin for armored defense.

5. North American porcupine:

This coats the tail in barbed, detachable quills which can be used to whip other hybrids and embed them full of painful quills.

6. Bloodhound:

This dog adds jowls to the muzzle and enhances its olfaction, allowing it to catch the scent of blood and track escaping targets for miles on end.

7. Thylacoleo:

This adds the iconic weapon triad: rat-like incisors, "bolt cutter" molars, and enlarged thumb claws.

8. Inostrancevia:

This adds enlarged fangs within the mouth, perfectly fit to piercing flesh and light bone, as well as the ability to have teeth constantly replaced if lost like a reptile.

9. Komodo dragon:

With the Komodo dragon, the hybrid gains three distinct advantages. In the mouth, it now includes a hemotoxic venom for fatal hemorrhagic shock and blood loss, serrated tooth edges packed with iron oxides for extra reinforcement and cutting power, and a robust innate immune system to neutralize pathogens and any sort of bioweapon.

10. Virginia opossum:

To complement the lizard's robust immune response, we add the opossum's LTNF proteins for broad-spectrum biotoxin resistance.

11. Dromedary camel:

This camel can be used to pack the muscular hump with a thick layer of fat, protecting the back and maintaining an energy store for metabolic water production and generating long-term energy stores for combat, as well as adding papillae (spines) in the mouth and tongue for extra damage when biting.

12. Bonobo:

Much like what was used in the Mortalodon, the Bonobo contributes to extreme cognition and manual dexterity in the forelimbs, as well as the ability to form coherent, coordinated packs trained from the leader-down by handlers, which is then reinforced in the bonds between subordinates. This also aids in trichromatic color vision (red, green, and blue light spectra).

HYBRID 3: Cetobellator armatus ("Armed cetacean/whale warrior")

Dimensions:

- Length: 41 feet (12.6 meters)

- Weight: 6.75 tons (6750 kilograms)

Genome:

1. Cynthiacetus:

The base genome. The vestigial, stubby hind legs were completely removed to remove any unnecessary appendages that could be bitten and torn.

2. Orca/Killer whale:

This animal adds a slew of features much needed in this hybrid. First, a larger brain and advanced cognition, with a clear hierarchy in the pods based on familial generations which can be trained by handlers starting at the matriarch and naturally passed down from the older members to the younger members. This also introduces the thick, conical, interlocking orca dentition as the type of teeth in the front of the mouth, and a melon for echolocation. This also just generally enhances the muscles in the jaw for a more powerful thrashing bite. Also, let's not forget a larger dorsal fin (since Basilosaurids like Cynthiacetus had small ones).

3. Tiger shark:

This shark influences the hindteeth, creating those serrated triangular blades in the back to complement orca teeth up in front for an added bleeding effect while the front teeth interlock and hold the prey in place. This also adds electroreceptive pores along the snout to sense electrical fields in the water, as well as a robust innate immune system and some resistance to marine biotoxins.

4. Atlantic walrus:

This specific walrus subspecies was chosen for both the general purposes of dense whiskers and modifyng a pair of foreteeth into long tusks which double as fangs; they are now capable of being used in a manner similar to a sabertooth cat because the orca genes firmly anchor them into the jaw, and because the previous contributors help wrap them in a full jacket of enamel. The Atlantic walrus has much shorter tusks than the Pacific subspecies, so it helps in not causing the tusks/fangs to break.

5. Sperm whale:

This adds the first layer of armor: a thick layer of wrinkled skin and blubber acting as a natural jacket of soft tissue armor, as well as stores of myoglobin and hemoglobin for energy reserves, which in turn double in aiding the hybrid deep-dive into the twilight zone or upper midnight zone, in the same depths modern sperm whales reach.

6. Leatherback sea turtle:

This turtle was chosen because, unlike other turtles, this sea turtle has collagen-connected osteoderms that float in the skin rather than being attached to the bone. With this unique advantage, we can add just the osteoderms to the Cetobellator's armored hide across the dorsum and underside in an arrangement similar to crocodile osteoderms: running the length of the spine, underbelly, and upper sides.

7. Prognathodon:

Apart from helping retain the robustness of the hybrid, this also adds a forked tongue for chemically tasting the water and a row of pterygoid teeth in the upper jaw for an extra biting surface.

8. Giant moray eel:

To complement the unique jaws, we use the eel's pharyngeal jaws for the purpose of gripping prey and help hold it in place for the main jaws to do the killing.

9. North American beaver:

This increases the thickness of the enamel in all the teeth and packs it full of iron, increasing durability and sharpness, while adding a distinct orange hue to the dentition. The pterygoid and pharyngeal jaw teeth are also packed with these iron oxides, giving them similar coloration and toughness.

10. Grey seal:

Unlike sea lions and walruses, seals still have defined paws tipped with sharp claws. Because seals use their clawed paws for many manual and physical uses, these muscled forelimbs and their respective paws will be used for grasping and signaling, with the claws being used to pick up objects, grasp prey, or claw at opposing animals. Because this hybrid will derive hydration from prey, this makes it a euryhaline creature as well.

11. Sea otter:

Of course, this aids in manual dexterity; sea otters are capable of using rocks and various objects for strategic purposes, mostly to crack and pry shells and clams. This can work in tandem with slashing claws and the unique, devastating jaws to use objects as blunt force weapons while also swiping and chomping into viable prey or threats.

12. Goldfish:

This gives Cetobellator tetrachromatic color vision (red, green, blue, and UV), which complements the excellent visual acuity of the orca. However, goldfish DNA was selected specifically because they can change to trichromatic vision (just the classic red, green, and blue) in low-light conditions, perfect for hunting in the deep sea. They can also see in some light spectrums nearing infrared, so that too is featured in our hybrid's keen eyesight.