Round 21:
Event: Winter is coming!
The greenhouse gas molecules that retained radiated heat in the atmosphere have been blasted apart by the radiation from the nearby supernova. As high energy photons smashed into the molecules, their bonds split and the upper atmosphere briefly became ionized plasma. Without greenhouse gases, the atmosphere radiates almost all heat away. Winter is coming. As the air grows cooler, the sun’s heat on it makes a much bigger difference. Super storms rage along the border of twilight, and the poles host massive blizzards. Water currents are picking up speed along the equator, and slowing down near the poles. Snows fall heavy and often on the continents, and glaciers are beginning to creep in from the higher latitudes. If one thing though is certain, it’s that the worst is yet to come.*
*Note: I am much better at geochemistry than climatology, so this may not be the most accurate representation of a post-irradiation ice age available. Consult your regular physician.
SkyGuy98: (Passive Glycovore) (Hydrothermal Vents)
Mutation: Chloroplasts (2) [slightly deleterious]
Description: Of the billions of microbial species that thrive on this planet, Pobre cieloviri has risen to prominence in the vent communities. Its simple structure will force it to evolve quickly, as it does not enjoy the luxury of the nutrient rich ocean that its predecessors had. Unfortunately, it is having a rough start, as it has taken in a photosynthetic organism that wound up in this neck of the woods. This previously free living bacterium has proven to be a bad house guest, as it leeches sugars and amino acids from the host without offering any benefit in return.
Previous Mutations:
Conservation Status: VU
Robotranicrex: (Secondary Consumer [carnivore]) (Coral Reef)
Mutation: Anti-Freeze Proteins (3 + 1 Most Fit = 4) [slightly less than requested]
Description: D. roborexi has developed a complement of proteins that lower the freezing point of its cells’ cytosol. While these are not as impressive as other anti-freeze proteins found in the coral reef, they are enough to keep this top predator alive when coupled with its active lifestyle. Right now this species can only sense things by touch, more senses could cement its place on top of the food chain. Additionally, the species does not have resistance to the toxin of its only prey species, and will soon suffer the consequences.
Previous Mutations:
Flagella {5}
Mitochondria {5}
Vacuole {5}
Phagocytosis {4}
Binding Proteins {6}
Communication Molecules {1} (anti attracting)
Communication Molecules {5}
Vascular System {6}
Heart {5}
Nervous System {5}
Muscular System {4}
Digestive System {7} (compartmentalized through-gut)
Improve Muscles {2} (actin structural failure)
Improve Muscles {6}
Low pressure Tolerance {7}
Exoskeleton {5}
Primitive Brain {1} (constant seizures)
Fix Nerve Cluster {4} (less constant seizures)
Conservation Status: VU
Unknown: (Tertiary Consumer [decomposer/parasite]/Primary Producer [photoautotroph]) (Coral Reefs)
Mutation: Anti-Freeze Proteins (4 + 1 Least Fit = 5) [as requested]
R: Anti-Heat Proteins (4) [no effect]
Description: M. obscurus had a good run. An important part of its life cycle was its parasitic form, but now its primary hosts have either died or developed resistances that are far too strong for this already struggling species. Without a food source early in life, many young of this species died, despite being relatively well adapted to the cold. The unique lifestyle of this bizarre creature will long be remembered, and its place as the ecosystem’s main primary producer will be sorely missed.
Previous Mutations:
Flagella {5}
Mitochondria {5}
Cilia {4}
Horizontal Gene Transfer {4}
Predatory Pilus {5}
Low Pressure Tolerance {5}
Eyespot {2} (diffuse Opsins)
Eyespots {5}
Communication Disruption Toxins [Atrox-4]
Necrotaxis {4}
Atrox's Phagocytosis {6}
Longisquama's Chloroplasts {4}
Longisquama's Signal Agents {6}
Wax Cuticle {7}
Sleep Neurotoxin [1]
Sleep Toxin Into Paralysis Toxin: Paralysis Toxin [1]
Robotranicrex's Storage Vacuoles {6}
Inops atroxi taxis {5}
Robotranicrex’s Binding Proteins {5}
Situational N. cieloviri Taxis {7}
Atrox’s Vertical Gene Transfer {5}
Primitive Brain {6}
Toxin Resistance [Arsenic – 2]
Toxin Resistance [Arsenic – 3]
Mucus Membrane Secretion {5}
Conversation Status: EX
Bigyihsuan: (Secondary Consumer [omnivore]/Primary Producer [photoautotroph]) (Continental Shelf to Surface Waters)
Mutation: Anti-Freeze Proteins (6) [better than requested]
R: Atrox’s Arsenic Toxin (3) [no effect]
Description: S. hsuani has developed robust anti-freeze proteins, they perform the same action as D. roborexi’s but have a slightly higher solubility in the cytosol. These have managed to stave off extinction, and the numbers of this species are rebounding. This species has the most senses, but could benefit from resistance to its only prey species’ arsenic toxin.
Previous Mutations:
Flagella {5}
Mitochondria {5}
Cilia {4}
Horizontal Gene Transfer {4}
Predatory Pilus {5}
Low Pressure Tolerance {5}
Eyespot {2} (diffuse Opsins)
Eyespots {5}
Communication Disruption Toxins [Atrox-4]
CO2 Vacuoles {6}
Robotranicrex's Binding Proteins {4}
Communication Proteins {4}
Atrox's Circulatory System {4}
Central CO2 Vacuole {4}
Robotranicrex's Digestive System {6} Melanin {5}
Robotranicrex’s Nervous System {4}
Omnivorous Specialization {5}
Unknown’s Longisquama’s Chloroplasts {6}
Eyes {4} (ocular depressions)
SkyGuy98’s Muscles {4}
SkyGuy98’s Heart {6}
Conservation Status: EN
Atrox: (Primary Consumer [herbivore]) (Coral Reef)
Mutation: Anti-freeze Proteins (6) [better than requested[
R: Fix the Exoskeleton (6) [better than requested]
Description: I. atroxi has developed anti-freeze proteins that are extremely similar to S. hsuani’s. These are keeping this primary prey species alive in the frigid waters of the continental shelf. It has also made a major evolutionary breakthrough, and managed to salvage its armor situation. The plates’ shapes have reformed, becoming smoother and having far fewer gaps. The end result is an exoskeleton of similar appearance to a trilobite’s, although with far less defensive merit. With this anti-parasite armor, and the toxic arsenic that this creature excretes, most parasites have either died or given up in their quest to invade. [Achievement Get: Drive another player extinct]
Previous Mutations:
Mitochondria {1}
Improved Mitochondria {7}
Cilia {1} (spiky poles of doom)
Flagella {4}
Bracing Proteins {4}
Phagocytosis {5}
Vertical Gene Transfer {4}
Signaling Chemicals {5}
Fixed Cilia {4}
Binding Proteins {5}
Low Pressure Tolerance {4}
Improved Circulatory System {7} (lymph nodes and proto kidneys)
Nervous System {4}
Digestive System {5}
Anti Parasite Armor {1} [parasite attracting]
Muscle Fibers {6}
Eyespots {2} (not exactly spots, so much as whole body covering)
Arsenic Toxin [1]
Arsenic Toxin [6]
Arsenic Toxin [12]
Conservation Status: EN
Evolution4Weak: (Passive Thermosynthesizer) (Hydrothermal Vents)
Mutation: Thermoplast (7) [super mutation]
Description: Mutatio eniminfirmus has evolved from the same predecessor cell as P. cieloviri. This cell line however, has developed a symbiotic relationship with thermosynthetic bacteria. These bacteria are incredibly valuable partners, converting each molecule of glucose they’re supplied with into 40 ATP. This energy factory makes M. eniminfirmus the most populous creature of the vent community.
Previous Mutations:
Conservation Status: NT
Achievements:
First to Reach Land: One additional vote that will have a +2 applied to it.
First to Drive Another Species Extinct: A guaranteed super mutation. [Atrox]
First to Have Three Senses: A guaranteed super mutation.
State of the Ecosystem:
SkyGuy98: [E/K: Glucose] [EB/KB: Random Cells]
Robotranicrex: [E/K: Atrox] [EB/KB: None]
Unknown: [E/K: None] [EB/KB: None]
Bigyihsuan: [E/K: Atrox] [EB/KB: None]
Atrox: [E/K: ] [EB/KB: Bigyihsuan, Robotranicrex]
Evolution4Weak: [E/K: Heat Energy] [EB/KB: Random Cells]
Behind the Scenes:
I have reinstituted the Most Fit/Least Fit system, this round will be based on the Most and Least Fit from the nova event, next turn will be for those affected by this ice age.
Also, the food web is kinda collapsing, and that will start to be a problem. I may introduce an NPC to avert disaster.