Terra Nova

[CatSquared]

Terra Nova

Terra Nova is a Seed World Speculative Evolution Project, (which I have created) in which a group of Common Octopodes, Magellanic Penguins, and African Elephants along with the creatures that they feed on are placed on an Earth-Like planet, and are left to evolve by themselves, similar to Serina, World of Birds.

Fauna

Let me introduce you to the native fauna:

Magellanic penguin

Latin Name: Spheniscus Magellanicus

Diet:

1. Anchovy
2. Squid
3. Cuttlefish

Common Octopodes

Latin Name: Octopus Vulgaris

Diet:

1. Crab
2. Crayfish
3. Copepods

African Elephant

Latin Name: Loxodonta africana

Diet:

1. Watermelons
2. Bamboo
3. Shrubs

Note: The diet of the creatures will be implemented into Eden Nova, along with grasses, flowers, and other non-animals, along with some micro-organisms and small invertebrates and insects, along with other stuff as well.

Terra Nova

This Planet has Earth-like conditions, with shallow Oceans and mostly water. It has a radius of 0.87% of Earth, with a gravity of 0.98% that of Earth. It has three Luna-like moons: Terra Nova I, Terra Nova II, and Terra Nova III. The rest is mostly the same.

Now everything has been explained, let’s start:

The Early Primisaetas:

The First 10,0000 Years.

Years 1-1000

During the First millennia, the population exponentially increased, due to the abundance of food and the lack of predators. Not much happens in the genetics department, but some watermelons have adapted to live in the tidal zones of rivers and lakes, floating at the surface at high tide.

Years 1000-5000

For the next few thousand years, nothing really happens. Some Octopus Populations have adapted to consume the insects found on and inside the melons located in the tidal zone.

Years 5000-10000

Now we are almost 10 millennia in, the populations have begun to crash. Despite there being no natural predators, overpopulation and over-consumption means that contest over once-abundant sources of food is developing. The first to adapt is a small octopus population. A group of them have now formed a new breed of octopus that specializes in poaching penguin eggs, a previously untapped food source. Another Octopus population has essentially evolved cannibalism, feasting mainly on other Octopedes and their eggs.

Most species have evolved breeds of different sizes, with there being both slightly smaller and slightly larger versions of most species. There are also Breeds of elephants that are better adapted to eating the watermelons found in shallow rivers and lakes. Speaking of watermelons, they can now be found in permanently submerged but still shallow areas, with the leaves, flowers and fruits floating on long, submerged vines.

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Nice project
Is there a way to influence the way this goes? Like submitting a proposal for an evolutionary branch?

[CatSquared]

Terra Nova

100,000 years

The world has thrived for ten hundred centuries, and as a result, the bamboo forests have grown taller, and many watermelon plants have spread to cover the forest floor. Particular subspecies of elephants have evolved to become more agile and faster to navigate the narrow spaces and feed on abundant plant life.

However, predators have emerged that pose a new threat to not only Penguins but also Octopodes. A new species of Octopodes has formed that preys on penguin eggs and newborn chicks, while a sub-species of Penguins has evolved to feed primarily on small Octopodes and their eggs.

Over time, elephants have adapted to consume more aquatic watermelons, leading to several changes in their physical structure that aid their movement in water. They have developed a more streamlined body shape and reduced size and no longer have tusks to enhance their swimming abilities. Their fat layers now contain air bubbles that help keep them buoyant, allowing them to float with ease and conserve energy. Interestingly, the watermelons they consume have become widespread in most freshwater lakes and some low-salt ocean areas where these unique elephants are found.

The Anchovies, though predated upon heavily, are rapidly growing in numbers. With populations in the billions, they have begun to specialise. The first to do so are found on the west coast of the super-continent Uadeth, where a large quantity of plant matter flowing from the many rivers and lakes has caused a sub-species of anchovies to emerge, primarily eating plant matter. Many other sub-species have evolved to increase in size, up to 15 cm, and to have larger mouths to filter and consume more food.

(Above Circled) The 𝝮 Peninsula, where the plant-consuming Anchovies are found.

The Island north-most of Uadeth, known as Beofes, houses a small community of elephants and a large bamboo forest. It currently seems uneventful but appears to be changing at an alarming rate…