|
K-T 2.0; Or "The Déjà Vu of Death"
|
|
Topic Started: Sep 15 2013, 02:44 AM (1,157 Views)
|
|
Flisch
|
Sep 15 2013, 02:44 AM
Post #1
|
- Posts:
- 22
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Sep 13, 2013
|
This is just an interesting idea I had. I don't think I'll turn this into an actual project, because I'd rather want to continue Post-PAL, but this might inspire other people, so I thought I'd make a topic for this.
Basically, this is taking what we know about the K-T mass extinction and transplant into into modern times. The question is: What would happen if there was an extinction event very similar to K-T? This thought experiment doesn't care what exactly made the dinosaurs extinct, it just reflects what of the modern taxons would survive should such a mass extinction occur again.
We have some good data about what kind of organisms were more likely to survive. The list is as follows:
- On land, almost all of the pure herbivores and carnivores went extinct, due to the fact that plants would barely cling to survival during the dark time themselves. They simply couldn't sustain whole populations of herbivores and with that, carnivores were also doomed. - For similar reasons, larger animals were more likely to die out than smaller. Larger creatures required more energy, and no matter what food was available after such an extinction event, it was scarce at best. - In the oceans the phytoplankton decreased in numbers drastically as well, resulting in a collapse of the entire foodchain. Pelagic species were affected by this the most, because plankton is essentially the basis for the entire foodchain in the pelagic zone. - Detritovores and their predators were more likely to survive such an extinction event as their food didn't become as scarce as the others'. On land, invertebrates and insectivores, as well as omnivores and scavengers were able to survive this extinction event. In the oceans, animals that lived on the seafloor could consume detritus or animals that consumed detritus, so they weren't hit as hard as the pelagic species. - Stream communities were relatively unaffected by the extinction event, mostly due to the fact that they rely less on living plants and more on detritus carried by the river stream. - Animals that can survive long periods without food or are able to hibernate also have a higher chance of survival. - Widespread populations have a higher chance of survival.
With that in mind we can paint a rough picture of what survives and what doesn't. Some species that survived the K-T extinction are likely to survive again, while most of the new taxons will share the fate of the dinosaurs. Here's the list in detail:
Mammals
- Eutheria:
- Erinaceinae (Hedgehogs): Hedgehogs survive, due to their omnivorous diet and their ability to hibernate.
- Galericinae (Gymnures): These animals are primarily carnivorous and thus not flexible enough to survive a mass extinction.
- Soricidae (Shrews): This group of highly adaptable and generalist little creatures survives the extinction event with ease.
- Talpidae (Moles): Moles and their close relatives live underground and feed on detritovores. Two adaptions that are very beneficial during a K-T extinction event. Some species are even members of the stream communities. While quite a few species might go extinct, the group as a whole is not endangered.
- Solenodontidae (Solenodons): While these animals are probably the closest to the mammals that survived the original K-T extinction, solenodons are restricted to a few islands, which causes them to go extinct.
- Chiroptera (Bats): With the exceptions of fruit-bats, bats are likely survivors of a K-T extinction. Most members are insectivores and can live in a multitude of different environments. During the K-T event, bats would also have several advantages over birds. Bats don't rely on sight and are able to hunt at night, something which only a few birds are able to do, and something that is an advantage during the dark times after the impact. Furthermore, some bats are able to hibernate and sit out the hard times while birds are either forced to migrate or cope with the lack of food. Last but not least, bats are in general not dependant on trees, while most birds need trees to nest. Given all these factors, it could be that bats would be able to dominate birds for a while after the K-T event.
- Camelidae (Camels etc.): Like all megafauna, camels and their relatives cannot survive the extinction event.
- Suina (Pigs & Peccaries): Although pigs are very adaptable and generalist, they are too big and go extinct.
- Hippopotamidae (Hippopotami): Although hippopotami are part of stream communities, they are still strict herbivores and thus don't survive.
- Cetacea (Whales): Like their mesozoic counterparts, whales can simply not survive the severity of a K-T extinction event. Every single saltwater species is pelagic and thus victim to the collapse of the foodchain. The only whales that might have had a chance are the river dolphins, but they are simply too big and lack the advantages that crocodiles have, like a slow metabolism.
- Other Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates): Every single extant artiodactyl is a strict herbivore and has no chance to survive the extinction.
- Equidae (Horses etc.): Like their artiodactyl counterparts, Equidae simply don't even stand a chance.
- Rhinocerotidae (Rhinos): Megafauna, strict herbivore, dead.
- Tapiridae (Tapirs): Even though tapirs often live near rivers, they are still herbivores and too big to survive the extinction.
- Feliformia (Cats, hyenas etc.): Most members of this group are pure carnivores and thus go extinct. While there are also a few omnivorous species, none of them would be able to directly compete with the more generalist survivors and die out after the actual extinction event.
- Pinnipedia (Seals): Similar to whales, pinnipeds are entirely pelagic animals and will go extinct as the foodchain in the oceans collapses.
- Canidae (Wolves etc.): Like the big cats, this group consists entirely of top predators and go extinct.
- Ursidae (Bears): While most members of this group are omnivores, they are simply too big to survive.
- Ailuridae (Red Panda): It's sole represantive is an arboreal species and mostly herbivorous, which makes it go extinct.
- Mephitidae (Skunks): Out of all carnivorans, this group is one of three within the carnivora that survives the K-T extinction. They are small enough to survive and they have a broad diet, that allows them to endure the extinction event. It is highly likely, that skunks will evolve to fill the top predator niches in a post K-T 2.0 world.
- Mustelidae (Weasels etc.): With the exception of the otters, the chances of survival of the mustelidae is slim. Otters however are part of the stream community and are therefore buffered against the extinction wave.
- Procyonidae (Raccoons etc.): Most of this group doesn't survive the extinction. Most species are arboreal or not generalist enough. Procyon (Raccoons) however, is highly adaptable and has a very broad diet, ensuring its survival.
- Pholidota (Pangolins): Pangolins are too specialised to survive.
- Proboscidea (Elephants): Extinct.
- Sirenia (Dugongs & Manatees): Extinct.
- Hyracoidea (Hyraxes): Being strict herbivores, these animals die out.
- Macroscelididae (Elephant Shrews): Elephant shrews are more specialised than other survivors, like regular shrews and therefore wouldn't survive the competition post K-T 2.0.
- Orycteropodidae (Aardvark): Too big to survive.
- Chrysochloridae (Golden Moles): Like regular moles, this group survives the K-T extinction.
- Tenrecidae(Tenrecs): Tenrecs fill the niches shrews fill in other parts of the world, so they'd survive the extinction. Furthermore, there are otter-like tenrecs, which also have a high probability of surviving the K-T event.
- Primates: Primates are either too big, too specialised or too confined to a certain habitat. Primates will not survive.
- Scandentia (Tree Shrews): Tree shrews are generalist enough to survive a K-T extinction. It's very possible that they give rise to a new order of primate-like animals.
- Dermoptera (Colugos): Being a strictly arboreal species, this group will not fare well during the extinction and die out.
- Lagomorpha (Rabbits etc): Being strict herbivores, rabbits, hares and pikas don't survive the extinction.
- Hystricomorpha (Porcupines etc.): Members of this group are either strict herbivores, too big or both.
- Castorimorpha (Beavers & Pocket Gophers): At first blush these rodents are likely to survive, as beavers are members of stream communities and pocket gophers bear close resemblance to moles. However, unlike moles, pocket gophers are herbivores and beavers are highly specialised on wooded areas. After a K-T extinction they would not find enough wood to build their dams.
- Myomorpha (Rats etc.): While the majority of species in this group goes extinct, a few species would survive. Especially more generalist ones like Rattus (rats). There are also a few members that are part of stream communities, feeding on fish. It is likely that some species within this group survive, even though 95% would still go extinct.
- Anomaluromorpha (Springhares & Scaly-tailed Squirrels): Out of these two groups, springhares have a higher chance of surviving the extinction, but they would not be able to compete with the other surviving groups.
- Sciuromorpha (Squirrels etc.): Most of these species would not survive except for some of the more generalist ones. Especially the chipmunks survive the extinction while the arboreal and herbivorous forms die out.
- Vermilingua (Anteaters): These animals are too specialised and too big/too arboreal to survive the extinction.
- Folivora (Sloths): Way too specialised in their diet and habitat to survive.
- Cingulata (Armadillos): Being adaptable little generalists, armadillos survive the extinction.
- Marsupialia:
- Notoryctes (Marsupial Moles): Much like their Eutherian counterparts, marsupial moles have a high probability of surviving a K-T extinction event. Notoryctes even have an advantage over regular moles: They already inhabit desert environments, so a K-T extinction would likely not even change their environment that much.
- Peramelemorphia (Bandicoots and Bilbies): Even though these animals superficially resemble rodents and are omnivores themselves, they are already threatened by habitat loss and introduced species. It is unlikely that they would survive a mass extinction event of any kind. Bilbies are already on the brink of extinction and most Bandicoot species are restricted to tiny populations or declining in numbers. The only group that has a chance of survival is the genus Echymipera (New Guinean Spiny Bandicoot), but being restricted to an island is an additional disadvantage.
- Myrmecobius (Numbat): Even though an insectivore, the Numbat only has a tiny population and is thus a very unlikely candidate as a K-T survivor.
- Dasyuridae (Marsupial Mice): With the exception of the big carnivorous forms like the Tasmanian Devil, this group is likely to survive the mass extinction as many of them are small insectivores. Most of the species have very small populations, but since there are many species, it is likely that at least one would survive. Especially the Sminthopsini tribe consists mostly of insectivores and has relatively big distributions among members of this group.
- Macropodiformes (Cangaroos and allies): This group can be divided into two main groups: The large strictly herbivorous cangaroos as well as the smaller arboreal ones, and the smaller rat-sized omnivorous ground-living species. The big browsing forms as well as the arboreal tree-cangaroos go extinct due to habitat loss and lack of food. The smaller omnivorous group however, especially bettongs would have a chance of survival, if their distribution wasn't restricted to just a few tiny spots. Thus it is unlikely that they would survive as well.
- Vombatiformes (Wombats and Koalas): Being strict herbivores, this group wouldn't fare well. Wombats might survive with some luck seeing as they have a slow metabolism, but as their main diet consists of grass, they'd share the same fate as the cangaroos.
- Phalangeriformes (Possums): Possums are arboreal and mostly herbivorous, so they'd have a hard time surviving after a K-T extinction event. However, possums are also very widespread so it may be possible that at least one of the more omnivorous species might survive.
- Didelphimorphia (Opossums): Opossums have proven to be very opportunistic hardy creatures, so it shouldn't be a surprise that these creatures survive the extinction with relative ease.
- Paucituberculata (Shrew Opossums): Shrew opossums aren't as generalist as opossums and would not survive direct competition with them after a mass extinction event.
- Dromiciops (Monito del monte): As an arboreal species with a very restricted distribution, these animals go extinct.
- Monotremata:
- Ornithorhynchus (Platypus): Being a small, insectivorous member of the stream community, platypuses would survive the mass extinction with relative ease.
- Tachyglossus (Short-beaked Echidna): This animal is also an insectivore and can inhabit a vast array of different habitats, making it a very likely candidate as a K-T survivor.
- Zaglossus (Long-beaked Echidna): Unlike its short-beaked cousin, this animal group would not fare as well. It is more specialized in terms of diet and habitat and restricted to an island, so that it will go extinct.
Birds
- Palaeognathae:
- Struthioniformes (Ostriches): Too big to survive.
- Rheiformes (Rheas): Too big to survive.
- Casuariiformes (Cassowaries & Emus): Too big to survive.
- Apterygiformes (Kiwis): Kiwis are restricted to a small island and wouldn't be able to compete with the introduced rats.
- Tinamiformes (Tinamous): Tinamous are widespread, small, generalist and adaptable. They survive.
- Anseriformes:
- Anhimidae (Screamers): Being mostly herbivorous, screamers will die out.
- Anseranatidae (Magpie Goose): Even though this group survived the original K-T mass extinction, it has declined since then leaving only one single herbivorous species. It can be considered a dead clade walking and finally goes extinct.
- Anatidae (Ducks etc.): Unlike their relatives, this group is very widespread with most of its members occupying semi-aquatic niches. While most members are herbivorous, there is also a considerable amount of omnivorous species. While the majority of this clade goes extinct, especially the big swans, the group as a whole survives the catastrophe.
- Galliformes:
- Megapodiidae (Incubator Birds): These birds require lots of vegetation material for their nests alone. After a K-T event, these birds wouldn't be able to gather enough material to build their nests and die out.
- Cracidae (Curassows etc.): Most of these species are big and live in wooded habitats. The rest is likely outcompeted by the surviving Odontophoridae (New World Quails).
- Odontophoridae (New World Quails): These birds are small, generalist and can live in almost every habitat. They definately survive the extinction.
- Numididae (Guineafowl): While this group is sufficiently generalist, all of its members are relatively big. Their relatives, the Phasaniadae are more widespread and posses a higher diversity among its members and will thus outcompete the Guineafowl.
- Phasianidae (Pheasants etc.): A highly adaptable clade of birds that occupies a vast array of different habitats with a broad diet, these birds are definite survivors, with the exception of the bigger and less generalist members.
- Mesitornithiformes & Eurypygiformes:
- Mesitornithidae (Mesites): Being already endangered, this group wouldn't fare well during an extinction event.
- Rhynochetidae (Kagu): Being already endangered, this group wouldn't fare well during an extinction event.
- Eurypygidae (Sunbittern): Being purely insectivorous and relatively large, this species does not survive.
- Caprimulgiformes:
- Caprimulgidae (Nightjars): Being too specialised in their diet, these birds die out.
- Eurostopodidae (Eared Nightjars): Similar to the regular nightjars, this group also goes extinct.
- Nyctibiidae (Potoos): Potoos are not flexible enough in their habitat and not generalist enough in their diet and go extinct.
- Podargidae (Frogmouthes): Being mostly carnivores, these birds would not find enough food after the extinction and die out.
- Steatornithidae (Oilbirds): Of all the Caprimulgiforms, this group has the highest chance of survival. However, they'd have to directly compete with bats and seeing as bats are better adapted in their niche, oilbirds will be outcompeted and go extinct.
- Apodiformes:
- Trochilidae (Hummingbirds): These birds are too specialised to survive.
- Apodidae (Swifts): Like the nightjars, swifts are too specialised to survive.
- Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts): Treeswifts have a slightly higher chance to survive, but remain too specialised.
- Gruiformes:
- Otididae (Bustards): Bustards are generalist birds that live in open environments. While the large species will surely go extinct a few of the smaller ones will survive. It is easy to imagine that those will quickly radiate into ostrich-like niches after the extinction event.
- Gruidae (Cranes): Cranes are extremely widespread and members of freshwater communities. Despite this the smallest member of the gruidae is still 90 cm tall and as such too big to survive easily. It stands to reason that at least some cranes will survive the initial extinction wave, but in the long run they will suffer from competition with other clades and thus die out in the aftermath.
- Aramidae (Limpkin): Being highly specialized on eating molluscs, especially apple snails, the only species of this group will swiftly go extinct.
- Psophiidae (Trumpeters): This group lives in dense tropical rainforests and feeds mostly on fruits. Additionally being 45 cm large, these birds do not have a big chance to survive the extinction.
- Rallidae (Rails etc.): Rails are everything that cranes are, but in a better way. They are smaller, more generalist and just as cranes they are very widespread and can fly. Not only will rails survive the extinction event with relative ease, when compared to cranes, but they will have little problems outcompeting other groups during the aftermath.
- Heliornithidae (Finfoots): Finfoots are not as numerous as other, comparable clades such as loons and grebes, and have several disadvantages over those, the most prominent one being that finfoots don't dive for food. Even if finfoots should survive the extinction, which is unlikely given their low numbers, they will quickly get outcompeted by other clades.
- Procellariiformes:
- Diomedeidae (Albatrosses): As a group of pelagic, big birds, this group will not survive the extinction.
- Procellariidae (Petrels etc.): Seabirds in general will take a heavy blow due to the collapse of the marine foodwebs. While a number of petrels will survive the initial extinction wave, seagulls will outcompete most of them in the aftermath as seagulls are much more opportunistic in terms of habitat and diet. The few that do not directly compete with seagulls due to different techniques of acquiring food will die out because of low numbers and lack of food.
- Pelecanoididae (Diving petrels): Same as petrels.
- Hydrobatidae (Storm petrels): Same as petrels.
- Pelicaniformes:
- Balaenicipitidae (Showbill): Shoebills are too large and restricted to only a single species and die out.
- Scopidae (Hamerkop): While abundant in africa, the hamerkop is not able to compete with other species taking a similar niche after the extinction event. Furthermore, the hamerkop builds huge nests wasting a lot of resources, thus hindering its ability to regenerate its numbers.
- Pelecanidae (Pelicans): Unfortunately these unique birds die out due to their size.
- Ardeidae (Herons etc): The vast majority of this clade follows the footsteps of the morphologically and ecologically similar cranes into extinction. The genus Ixobrychus however consists of small bitterns scattered all across the globe. This genus will be the only surviving member of the herons.
- Threskiornithidae (Ibises and spoonbills): Spoonbills are too specialized and big compared to other similar clades and as such don't survive the extinction. Ibises however are a lot more diverse and generalist. Ibises are also widespread and combined that with their adaptability makes them prime candidates for survival.
- Other Clades:
- Podicipedidae (Grebes): Like the Anatidae, this group consists almost entirely of freshwater species and survives with relative ease.
- Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos): Despite being freshwater species, flamingos are too specialised in their diet and too big to survive the extinction.
- Pteroclididae (Sandgrouse): Sandgrouse are too specialised in their seed-based diet and go extinct.
- Columbidae (Pigeons): While most of these members aren't generalist enough to survive the extinction, this group remains very widespread with a lot of species, that at least a few of the more generalist species will survive.
- Phaethontidae (Tropic Birds): Being dependant on pelagic species, these birds die out due to lack of food.
- Aegothelidae (Owlet-nightjars): Just like nightjars, this group is too specialised to survive.
- Cuculidae (Cuckoos): With the exception of the ground-cuckoos, this group consists mostly of big arboreal birds that die out during the extinction. The ground cuckoos however will survive due to being generalist and living close to the ground.
- Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin): The hoatzins will not survive the extinction due to being restricted to a single species and living in rainforests, which will be devastated during the extinction.
- Musophagidae (Turacos): Turacos are sufficiently generalist to have a chance in surviving. While most species are arboreal they mostly use their legs for locomotion which would give them an edge over other birds to adapt to a ground-dwelling niche. Some species also inhabit freshwater habitats, giving them another advantage. Despite all this turacos remain a relatively small group and will face major competition with other surviving bird taxons. As such, a few turaco species might survive the initial extinction event, but the group as a whole will fall victim to the aftermath of the disaster.
- Gaviidae (Loons): Being exclusive freshwater species loons have a good chance at surviving. The fact that they are good fliers also gives them an edge over other piscivores like otters as they can find and populate new habitats faster during the extinction aftermath, thus ensuring a more stable population early on.
- Spheniscidae (Penguins): While penguins survived the original K-T-Event, it should be noted that during that time they were distinct from their modern forms. The prehistoric penguins weren't fully flightless and as such were less vulnerable to the collapse of the ecosystems. Just like pinnipeds, penguins go extinct as pelagic species won't fare well during the breakdown of the marine foodwebs.
- Ciconiidae (Storks): Storks are simply too big to survive.
- :
- :
Rest to come later.
Reptiles *Coming soon*
Amphibians *Coming soon*
Fish *Coming soon*
Arthropods *Coming soon*
Plants *Coming soon*
Invertebrates *Coming soon*
[*]:
|
|
|
| |
|
Yusungi Prime
|
Oct 2 2013, 02:56 AM
Post #2
|
|
- Posts:
- 2
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #16
- Joined:
- Oct 2, 2013
|
If we're taking into account humans, then it is easy to chalk most animals that live near/around/with humans as surviving. Humans, pernicious and hungry, will cling on either in a bunker somewhere or in an isolated area. Domesticates may be there too, though housecats and domestic dogs would probably be the only ones liable to cling on too. Even if there isn't a self-sustaining population, it is likely some hungry sap or his cat will eat some surviving species to extinction in the immediate aftermath. Not to mention several of the animals are already being pushed to extremes by human causes, and a K-T event may very well push them, even if they're very 'likely' to survive. There are still many human trappings left behind, ie Nuclear waste and the swaths of sea-bourne plastic rubbish, among other things which will harm flora and fauna in the immediate aftermath. I like what you have started here, though,
|
|
|
| |
|
Archipithecus
|
Oct 2 2013, 11:21 AM
Post #3
|
- Posts:
- 18
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #8
- Joined:
- Sep 19, 2013
|
I think some baboons or rhesus monkeys will survive. They're medium, widespread omnivores.
|
|
|
| |
|
Zirojtan
|
Oct 3 2013, 11:12 PM
Post #4
|
- Posts:
- 90
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #9
- Joined:
- Sep 22, 2013
|
Although I DO think that the cause of our mass extinction is pretty important here, I can at least say that in light of its severity, I can see some rather odd-looking and probably not super-well adapted animals popping up after it, similar to the kind of mammals you saw during the Paleocene.
|
|
|
| |
|
Armaknee
|
Oct 3 2013, 11:42 PM
Post #5
|
- Posts:
- 41
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #10
- Joined:
- Sep 23, 2013
|
- Archipithecus
- Oct 2 2013, 11:21 AM
I think some baboons or rhesus monkeys will survive. They're medium, widespread omnivores. No ! Not at all ! Think about what exactly survived during the KT event. Now compare them to baboons and rhesus monkeys. Their ecosystems would die out and they are not adaptable or general enough to survive. The only terrestrial mammalian survivors would be fairly small animals that are known to be very adaptable.
|
|
|
| |
|
Hyrbid
|
Oct 4 2013, 12:04 AM
Post #6
|
- Posts:
- 10
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #11
- Joined:
- Sep 30, 2013
|
- Armaknee
-
The only terrestrial mammalian survivors would be fairly small animals that are known to be very adaptable.
Actually some large mammals may of appeared before the K/T, like Ferae, Meridiungulates(Kharmerungulatum), and "Condylarths" for example. --- Especially if raccoons are surviving, so would rhesus monkeys. And what about badgers, they're omnivorous. And small weasels, as least weasels hunt small rodents, who would survive as well. And if raccoons are surviving, so would foxes, as they are small and omnivorous as well, unlike what the list said that Canids "consists entirely of top predators".
This is just based off that raccoons survive. If you disagree, then you might want to check your list again.
And you method here as well is a bit 2 dimensional. If the Meridiungulates survived the original K/T event, so would a lot of other creatures. And it would be more dynamic, like it's possible that sengis would survive as well.
EDIT:Maybe even mouse lemurs could survive? They're omnivorous and small.
Edited by Hyrbid, Oct 4 2013, 12:15 AM.
|
|
|
| |
|
Citrakayah
|
Oct 4 2013, 12:09 AM
Post #7
|
- Posts:
- 113
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Sep 13, 2013
|
According to Wikipedia, terrestrial planets returned within a few years due to the atmosphere clearing. Saying that all strictly herbivorous species would go extinct seems questionable as a result, depending on the degree to which the atmosphere is rendered opaque. For example, could it be rendered opaque to the extent where formerly shade-dwelling plants moved into places that used to be bright and sunny? As someone who does gardening, some plants do very well in rather dark areas--for instance, some bottom-dwelling rainforest plants.
However, any herbivores that hung on would probably be fairly small.
|
|
|
| |
|
Flisch
|
Oct 4 2013, 12:12 AM
Post #8
|
- Posts:
- 22
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Sep 13, 2013
|
- Archipithecus
- Oct 2 2013, 11:21 AM
I think some baboons or rhesus monkeys will survive. They're medium, widespread omnivores.
Additionally to what Armaknee already said, we shouldn't forget that primates require an awful lot of energy to sustain their highly evolved brain. While a certain amount of intelligence seems to be an advantage in such an event, as evidenced by the survival of mammals and birds, I believe that there is a threshold, which when crossed is more of a burden to the organism.
- Zirojtan
- Oct 3 2013, 11:12 PM
Although I DO think that the cause of our mass extinction is pretty important here, I can at least say that in light of its severity, I can see some rather odd-looking and probably not super-well adapted animals popping up after it, similar to the kind of mammals you saw during the Paleocene.
I prefer to leave out the exact circumstances as to why humans go extinct in a specific scenario, unless the scenario offers an explanation in itself. (like Post-PAL) Thing is, humans completely screw with most future speculations and you either have to make up a contrived explanation why they disappear and thus draw away attention from the actual project, or you let them be which is just worse, cause humans are worse than cockroaches. 
So, I decided to just poof humans out of existence, if they need to disappear. It's not realistic, but it lets me focus on the evolution of the organisms.
|
|
|
| |
|
Citrakayah
|
Oct 4 2013, 12:14 AM
Post #9
|
- Posts:
- 113
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Sep 13, 2013
|
It would have to be an asteroid. Any nuclear war large enough to cause 80% of species to go extinct due to radioactive particles in the air is probably going to drive a lot more extinct due to the fallout. As far as humans, let's just say we said, "Fuck this, I'm out of here."
|
|
|
| |
|
Citrakayah
|
Oct 4 2013, 12:16 AM
Post #10
|
- Posts:
- 113
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Sep 13, 2013
|
- Hyrbid
- Oct 4 2013, 12:04 AM
- Armaknee
-
The only terrestrial mammalian survivors would be fairly small animals that are known to be very adaptable.
Actually some large mammals may of appeared before the K/T, like Ferae, Meridiungulates( Kharmerungulatum), and "Condylarths" for example. --- Especially if raccoons are surviving, so would rhesus monkeys. And what about badgers, they're omnivorous. And small weasels, as least weasels hunt small rodents, who would survive as well. And if raccoons are surviving, so would foxes, as they are small and omnivorous as well, unlike what the list said that Canids "consists entirely of top predators". This is just based off that raccoons survive. If you disagree, then you might want to check your list again. And you method here as well is a bit 2 dimensional. If the Meridiungulates survived the original K/T event, so would a lot of other creatures. And it would be more dynamic, like it's possible that sengis would survive as well. EDIT:Maybe even mouse lemurs could survive? They're omnivorous and small. Also small cats, which can survive off rats, insects, small birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
I will admit to being biased in favor of cats, though.
|
|
|
| |
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
|