120 million years hence
Stop six – 120 Million Years Hence – Early Mediozoic era
It’s the beginning of a new era, the intermediate age, also called the Mediozoic. In the wake of the comet impact, a new series of ice ages have descended, making the climate colder and drier than today. Australia and Antarctica now form one continuous landmass, which is in turn joined to Eurafrica along a thick mountain range. Eurafrica and North America continue to move closer towards one another, thus shrinking the Atlantic.
The climate and vegetation resemble the long passed ice ages of the Pleistocene, to some extent at least, plains of grasses and herbs extend across Eurafrica, new bands of taiga and tundra have formed in the north. The Austral-Antarctic subcontinent has a large subtropical and temperate zone, somewhat isolated from Eurafrica proper by the mountain ranges which have formed between Asia and Australia.
As the Lactozoic has ended, the world has become the shared realm of different groups of animals at once. Austral-Antarctica plays host to large kinds of lizard, both omnivorous and carnivorous, alongside herbivorous possum-descendants as large as bears. In Eurafrica, a second dynasty of large grazing rodents has begun, descended from ground-dwelling squirrels. These sheep and pig-sized rodents are joined by large flightless pigeons that resemble dodos and emus in equal measure. Carnivores include cat-sized predatory shrews and in warmer areas, upright lacertid lizards as large as komodo dragons. The oceans are dominated by giant cephalopod predators descended from cuttlefish, which use muscular flippers as well as jet propulsion. Bats and small flying birds are somewhat less abundant and diverse than today, and in the next 50 million years these relatively susceptible groups will succumb to various epizooties. Sparrows have started to approach game birds like quail in their habits and size, and most of the large avian predators and scavengers are descended from gulls.
In this new era, there is unlimited potential for these inheritors of the earth, as they thrive and diversify.
It’s the beginning of a new era, the intermediate age, also called the Mediozoic. In the wake of the comet impact, a new series of ice ages have descended, making the climate colder and drier than today. Australia and Antarctica now form one continuous landmass, which is in turn joined to Eurafrica along a thick mountain range. Eurafrica and North America continue to move closer towards one another, thus shrinking the Atlantic.
The climate and vegetation resemble the long passed ice ages of the Pleistocene, to some extent at least, plains of grasses and herbs extend across Eurafrica, new bands of taiga and tundra have formed in the north. The Austral-Antarctic subcontinent has a large subtropical and temperate zone, somewhat isolated from Eurafrica proper by the mountain ranges which have formed between Asia and Australia.
As the Lactozoic has ended, the world has become the shared realm of different groups of animals at once. Austral-Antarctica plays host to large kinds of lizard, both omnivorous and carnivorous, alongside herbivorous possum-descendants as large as bears. In Eurafrica, a second dynasty of large grazing rodents has begun, descended from ground-dwelling squirrels. These sheep and pig-sized rodents are joined by large flightless pigeons that resemble dodos and emus in equal measure. Carnivores include cat-sized predatory shrews and in warmer areas, upright lacertid lizards as large as komodo dragons. The oceans are dominated by giant cephalopod predators descended from cuttlefish, which use muscular flippers as well as jet propulsion. Bats and small flying birds are somewhat less abundant and diverse than today, and in the next 50 million years these relatively susceptible groups will succumb to various epizooties. Sparrows have started to approach game birds like quail in their habits and size, and most of the large avian predators and scavengers are descended from gulls.
In this new era, there is unlimited potential for these inheritors of the earth, as they thrive and diversify.
fauna
Piggy-dragon (Porcopogona robusta)
Ancestor: Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
The Austral-Antarctic subcontinent has vast areas of subtropical scrub and steppe. One of its most common inhabitants is the piggy-dragon, a hefty omnivore of some 150 kilograms. Having an erect gait and a higher metabolism, these large lizards reproduce fairly quickly, laying large clutches of eggs twice a year. Piggy dragons eat almost anything, from soft foliage, to fruits and nuts, fungus, carrion and small animals. They are one of the most common Austral-Antarctic animals, though they are found far less frequently in the temperate zone further south.
Ancestor: Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
The Austral-Antarctic subcontinent has vast areas of subtropical scrub and steppe. One of its most common inhabitants is the piggy-dragon, a hefty omnivore of some 150 kilograms. Having an erect gait and a higher metabolism, these large lizards reproduce fairly quickly, laying large clutches of eggs twice a year. Piggy dragons eat almost anything, from soft foliage, to fruits and nuts, fungus, carrion and small animals. They are one of the most common Austral-Antarctic animals, though they are found far less frequently in the temperate zone further south.
Gullture (Sarcolarus gigas)
Ancestor: European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Smaller birds have become less diverse in the Mediozoic, but some very large birds are still quite successful. Looking halfway between an albatross and a condor, the gullture is a carrion-eating bird that soars on thermals overland in search of carcasses. It reaches up to 3.5 meters in wingspan, and is usually large enough to frighten away smaller scavengers. Found throughout Eurafrica and Asia, with similar species present in Austral-Antarctica.
Ancestor: European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Smaller birds have become less diverse in the Mediozoic, but some very large birds are still quite successful. Looking halfway between an albatross and a condor, the gullture is a carrion-eating bird that soars on thermals overland in search of carcasses. It reaches up to 3.5 meters in wingspan, and is usually large enough to frighten away smaller scavengers. Found throughout Eurafrica and Asia, with similar species present in Austral-Antarctica.
Monkey-rat (Pithecomys ingenia)
Ancestor: Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
Though the great rat-descended mega-rodents are gone, in the forests of what was once the middle-east, a hardy descendant of a different kind of rat has reached an innovation. Similar in intelligence to some primates, the Monkey rat is an arboreal fruit-eater that will consume other food sources opportunistically. They are able to use stones to crack the shells of nuts and snails, for example. Monkey-rats possess prehensile tails and opposable thumbs, just like a primate, but a look at their dentition will reveal their rodent ancestry. Parents give birth to litters of four whelps twice a year, and they mature quickly.
Ancestor: Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
Though the great rat-descended mega-rodents are gone, in the forests of what was once the middle-east, a hardy descendant of a different kind of rat has reached an innovation. Similar in intelligence to some primates, the Monkey rat is an arboreal fruit-eater that will consume other food sources opportunistically. They are able to use stones to crack the shells of nuts and snails, for example. Monkey-rats possess prehensile tails and opposable thumbs, just like a primate, but a look at their dentition will reveal their rodent ancestry. Parents give birth to litters of four whelps twice a year, and they mature quickly.
Bush-dodo (Dromocolumba robusta)
Ancestor: Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Pigeons easily survived the age of man, and indeed the impact at the end of the Lactozoic as well, and now some of them have become successful terrestrial herbivores. Weighing 50 kilograms and reaching 1 meter in height, the bush dodo is common across Eurafrica, with large flocks commonly seen in scrubland, forest and sometimes on the plains. They eat a variety of vegetation, including leaves, twigs, herbage and grass which they grind in their crops, but they will also eat nuts, large seeds and berries. Females give birth to large squabs multiple times a year, which are matured quickly on a diet of pigeon milk.
Ancestor: Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
Pigeons easily survived the age of man, and indeed the impact at the end of the Lactozoic as well, and now some of them have become successful terrestrial herbivores. Weighing 50 kilograms and reaching 1 meter in height, the bush dodo is common across Eurafrica, with large flocks commonly seen in scrubland, forest and sometimes on the plains. They eat a variety of vegetation, including leaves, twigs, herbage and grass which they grind in their crops, but they will also eat nuts, large seeds and berries. Females give birth to large squabs multiple times a year, which are matured quickly on a diet of pigeon milk.
Squirreep (Sciuriovis cavioides)
Ancestor: Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Among the survivors of the Lactozoic impact were rather generalized squirrel descendants, which have started to evolve into large terrestrial herbivores, much like the mega-rats before them. Squirrep commonly weigh 150 kilograms, resembling a hybrid of marmot and sheep, and having a large fluffy tail which they use to communicate. These rodents are mixed feeders which are most common on the temperate steppe and in scrubland across north-central Eurafrica. Grass and sedges are cropped and nibbled with large broad incisors, though during the courting season, males will bite each other during sparring matches. Females give birth to twin calves twice a year.
Ancestor: Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Among the survivors of the Lactozoic impact were rather generalized squirrel descendants, which have started to evolve into large terrestrial herbivores, much like the mega-rats before them. Squirrep commonly weigh 150 kilograms, resembling a hybrid of marmot and sheep, and having a large fluffy tail which they use to communicate. These rodents are mixed feeders which are most common on the temperate steppe and in scrubland across north-central Eurafrica. Grass and sedges are cropped and nibbled with large broad incisors, though during the courting season, males will bite each other during sparring matches. Females give birth to twin calves twice a year.
Mouselion (Muscarnifex acutidens)
Ancestor: Scorpion Mouse (Onychomys torridus)
The mass extinction at the close of the Lactozoic has left different small animals to inherit the earth, and some have grown into large predators. Descended from mouse-like rodents, the Mouselion is an 80 kilogram hunter of large game found on the temperate steppes and broadleaf forests of North America. Its dentition somewhat resembles the marsupial lion Thylacoleo, possessing large stabbing canines and shearing, blade like premolars of considerable size. They most often hunt in pairs, and attack prey from ambush after a short dash, much like a lion. Territorial fights between individuals are common, and territory is proclaimed with loud screaming calls.
Ancestor: Scorpion Mouse (Onychomys torridus)
The mass extinction at the close of the Lactozoic has left different small animals to inherit the earth, and some have grown into large predators. Descended from mouse-like rodents, the Mouselion is an 80 kilogram hunter of large game found on the temperate steppes and broadleaf forests of North America. Its dentition somewhat resembles the marsupial lion Thylacoleo, possessing large stabbing canines and shearing, blade like premolars of considerable size. They most often hunt in pairs, and attack prey from ambush after a short dash, much like a lion. Territorial fights between individuals are common, and territory is proclaimed with loud screaming calls.
Mackerel Goby (Sociogobius oceanus)
Ancestor: Black Goby (Gobius niger)
The descendants of near shore gobies have proven successful yet again, becoming some of the main open water schooling fish, such as the Mackerel Goby. Reaching 50 centimetres long, they travel in large schools, chasing baitfish, squid and shrimp. Mackerel Goby are commonly preyed upon by other predatory fish and large squid. Members of this genus are found in tropical and temperate open waters globally.
Ancestor: Black Goby (Gobius niger)
The descendants of near shore gobies have proven successful yet again, becoming some of the main open water schooling fish, such as the Mackerel Goby. Reaching 50 centimetres long, they travel in large schools, chasing baitfish, squid and shrimp. Mackerel Goby are commonly preyed upon by other predatory fish and large squid. Members of this genus are found in tropical and temperate open waters globally.