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Galliformes and other animals for South America (ïðîäîëæåíèå)
JOrnitho: Hello! I'm back with ideas for some new species for South America. I found in my computer an archive with some ideas for fauna and flora that I had some time ago and decided to show there to ask your opinion about them. The first is about a descendant of the domestic chicken. [more]Copper jacumitan (Jacumita cuprinus) During the Holocene, the man introduced many species in other continents. The jacumitan is a descendant of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) that are introduced in South America. It replaced the birds in the family Cracidae, which are extinct in the Neocene, in some areas. In a matter of fact, the name jacumitan is the junction of the words jacu, the popular name in Brazil for guans of the Genus Penelope, and the tupi word mitã (mitan) that means new, this way the name means “new guan”. The copper jacumitan is the type species of this genus and lives in the savannas and woodlands of Central South America. The copper jacumitan is sexually dysmorphic. The male measure 190 cm, due to the long tail, it has a bright coppery brown upperbody plumage and reddish-brown feathers below. They also have metallic dark green feathers on the tail and wings. Only males have a bright red naked skin on the face, with two wattles that conceal the sides of its head. This characteristic is shared by all males of the genus Jacumita. The males of the genus also have crests formed by white feathers with black tips. During courtship and panic moments, they rise the crests. The females have 75 cm of length and are cryptic brown and adapted to camouflage, its naked skin on the face is pale pink and don’t have flesh wattles. The young males are similar to the females until they reach 9 weeks, at this time the wattle begin to develop. Both sexes have long orange colored legs and grey beak. The males have spurs that they use in fights for dominance. The neck is long and slim. Copper jacumitans can fly, but prefer to run from the predators flying only as last resort. These birds are omnivorous and feed on insects, seeds, and fruits. Its forage for food by scratching the ground, usually near herbivores this way there is other animals observing for the presence of predators. Often the male sits on a high perch, to serve as a lookout for his group. He sounds an alarm call if predators are nearby. At night it will sleep perched on branches. Copper jacumitans are polygamous; the male will have a harem with 5 to 12 females and will guards the area where his females are nesting, and attack other males that enter his territory. To initiate courting, the males will dance in a circle around or near a female, raising their crests and lowering the wing which is closest to the hen. Then, he will vocalize and when she responds to his call, the male will mount her and proceed with the mating. The females make their nest in the ground, laying 6 to 14 red eggs which are incubated for 22 days. Chicks are precocious, leaving the nest shortly they are born. They fledge in about 4 to 5 weeks, and at 13 weeks old are chased out of the group by their mother, at which point the young males start to form a harem and the females join an existing one. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months and the lifespan of this species is of 13 years, however is common for males to die early due to predation. Other species in the genus Jacumita are: Golden jacumitan (Jacumita aurea) Living in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, the males of this species has 200 cm of length, from beak to tail, while the females have 83 cm. The plumage of the male have a bright golden-yellow plumage in the upperparts, being scarlet in the chest and belly. They have dark metallic green wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Red jacumitan (Jacumita amazonica) Living in the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon , the males of this species has 185 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 70 cm. The plumage of male is bright orange-red in the upperparts, while their chest and belly is yellow. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Andean jacumitan (Jacumita andina) Living in the highland forests in the slopes of the Andes, the males of this species has 170 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 68 cm. The plumage of the males is white in the upperparts and yellowish-red in the belly and chest. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. This other one is about a descendant of the californian quail: Common austral grouse (Tetraoinus australis) During the Holocene, the man introduced many exotic species different habitats, the ancestor of the austral grouse was one of these species. Their ancestor was not a true grouse, but the Californian quail, due to evolutionary convergence they acquired characteristics similar to the true grouses of North America. Living in the forests of Southern South America, the male austral grouse are 55 cm long and the female have 44 cm of length. The male have a dark grey body plumage, black-and-white bridled head pattern, black back and a greyish-blue belly. They have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers that droops forward (long and black in males /short and brown in females) and long forked blackish tail with white undertail coverts. Females and immature birds are mainly greyish-brown with a light-brown belly. Both sexes have a black bill and relatively long grey legs. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and leaves, but they also eat some berries and insects. In some regions their main source of food are the seeds of trees of the Genus Araucaria. These birds are not elegant fliers, however they sleep perched in branches. Given a choice, they will normally escape on foot. During the courtship, the male austral grouse do displays on a lek, each male have a “personal space”. The males strut around their chose space, doing a display. The display consists of the male posturing himself with the head near the ground. Then, they start to move it from right to left showing their crests, simultaneously they raising the tail feathers, showing their withe undertail coverts. After that, they will raise their heads abruptly and whilst make a highly distinctive mating call. When another male invade the personal space of other, a fight happens, in this case the male will try to take of the crest of the rival, this way they will not be capable to display for the females. The female usually lays approximately 12 spotted eggs. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with vegetation on the ground. Incubation lasts from 21–25 days, usually performed by the female and rarely by the male. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching. The male stay with the female until the young leave, with 3 months. The young reach sexual maturity with 1 year, with this age the young males acquire the coloration of an adult male. Their lifespan is of 27 years. In the forests of Tierra del Fuego another species lives, the Black boreal grouse (Tetraoinus nigrus). Their main difference to the other species is that the males have an all-black plumage, with only a faint shade of blue in the chest and brown undertail coverts. The females are similar to that of the common austral grouse. The males have 52 cm and the females 41 cm.[/more] I also have in this archive some names for possible species that I never developed bayond some few facts. Maybe someone could help me make their descriptions.
ëÿãóøêà: I'm agree with Ìåäâåäü.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Maybe an insular species of deermara? I don't know if a species similar in size and niche can avoid competition with deermara, but possible. Besides Great Antigua and Fernando de Noronha, there is any other island close to Neocenic South America where such animal could live? There are islands closer to southern part of South America (towards Antarctic), maybe this will do?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: There are islands closer to southern part of South America (towards Antarctic), maybe this will do? By the map of the Neocene, the Valdes Peninsula became an island. Maybe this insular deermara could live here. It could even have other interesting fauna, don’t you think?
ìåäâåäü: I don't think so. It is too close to the mainland to develop endemic fauna.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I also agree with ìåäâåäü.
JOrnitho: Yes, this makes sense. I'll think in something else.
JOrnitho: Do you think that could be possible for the tree porcupines of South America to develope modified quills that give them an armored like appearance? Or with an adaptation like that of the Cataphractherium of Africa? While they would be slow in the trees, the "armor" would protect them.
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: to develope modified quills that give them an armored like appearance Scaly porcupines already exist! Part "Caribbean Ark" http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/1karibkv.htm in Russian part of the project - mountain scaly porcupine Squamodermus setosus from Great Antigua.
ëÿãóøêà: I don't see reasons for this adaptotion - armadillos are still exist in neocene, and this form would be less adaptated for arboreal lifestyle.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: Scaly porcupines already exist! I didn’t saw that, my bad. ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: I don't see reasons for this adaptotion - armadillos are still exist in neocene, and this form would be less adaptated for arboreal lifestyle. I thought that they could be like the tree pangolins in appearance, but the porcupines would be herbivore. It reminds me that sometime ago I proposed a semi-arboreal armadillo.
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà reasons for this adaptotion Armadillos and porcupines will surely occupy different niches, due to the difference in their diet (insectivorous vs herbivorous). By the way, porcupines exist side by side with pangolins (as counterparts of armadillos) in Africa.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã This is why I thought that the armored porcupines of South America could exist, since they would fill a different niche. By the way, how is the fauna of rodents in the continent during the Neocene? Could the project use more species or is there enough of them?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I think there's enough of them.
JOrnitho: Even small ones? I wanted to make some Cricetidae and Echmyidae descendants.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Cricetidae Hamsters! OK, I think there are some free niches for them. Echmyidae Oh, these can develop real quills from their hair just like porcupines.
JOrnitho: Yes! Both are my favourite families of rodents. One of the Echmyidae in Brazil, the Amazon bamboo rat, is a very vocal one. His voice is common during the night of the rainforest. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Hamsters! OK, I think there are some free niches for them. What do you think of a hamster like Cricetidae living in the savannas and open areas of South America?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho hamster like Cricetidae living in the savannas and open areas of South America What is the ancestor?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: What is the ancestor? The rodents of the genus Cerradomys.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, so be it.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the rodent. I was wondering if another species could live in the Island of Valdés, which used to be a peninsula during the Holocene. Cerrado hamster (Paracricetus savana) Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Habitat: Savannas of Central South America. The transition between the Holocene and Neocene had opened several niches that new species could exploit. In South America, a group of rodents descending from the Genus Cerradomys had evolved to survive in the open grasslands of the central areas of the continent. They form the Genus Paracricetus, the New World hamsters. The type species is the Cerrado hamster, a inhabitant of the savannas of Central South America. While only being distantly related to the true hamsters, the members of the Genus Paracricetus had a similar appearance to them due to a case of convergent evolution. They developed elastic cheek pouches, which are used to help them move food to be stored in their dens. The Cerrado hamster is the largest representative of this group, with 20 cm of length. Unlike true hamsters, the Paracricetus have a relatively long tail. In the Cerrado hamster, it measures 9 cm. This species has brown fur in their upperparts, while the chest and belly are black. This species eats seeds, legumes, root vegetables, grasses and insects. It transports its food in its elastic cheek pouches to the food storage chambers, which can be large. The common hamster is a nocturnal and crepuscular species that lives in a complex burrow system. They are monogamous, in the case of the death of one of the members of the pair, the other will seek a new partner immediately. This species breed during the entire year.The gestation period is 18 days and the size of the litter ranges from three to 15 young, which are weaned when aged three weeks. The female can become pregnant again shortly after giving birth. Sexual maturity is reached when they are about 43 days old. At this age, they will be expelled by their parents from their territory. The lifespan of this species is one year. The Patagonian hamster (Paracricetus patagonicus) is another representative of this genus. An inhabitant of the Patagonian plains. They have 18 cm of length and a yellowish-brown fur with white underparts. Due to the cold winters of Patagonia, this species stores more food than their Northern relatives, making great piles in their dens. During this period, the Patagonian hamster hibernates, waking every five to seven days to feed from the storage chambers.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good hamster!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animal!
ëÿãóøêà: Good hmsters!
JOrnitho: I made the description for another rodent. Araucaria nesting mouse (Sociomys agilis) Order: Cricetidae Family: Echimyidae Habitat: Araucaria forests of Southern South America The anthropogenic onslaught of the Holocene had damaged several habitats. With humanity's disappearance, these places slowly recovered, with new species appearing. The Araucaria forests of South America had returned the lands that were lost for human expansion. The Araucaria nesting mouse is an inhabitant of this biome. This rodent is part of the Echimyidae family and is adapted to survive in these forests. The Araucaria nesting mouse is a small rodent, with a body length of 16 cm of length and a tail of 14 cm. They have dark brown fur in their upperparts and white underparts. Their furred tails are black with white bellow. The ears are elongated and they have long whiskers. This species is mostly herbivorous, with their main food being the seeds of the Araucaria. During the period of fructification, large numbers of these rodents will gather around the pines to feast on the seeds. While they will not eat all of them, the Araucaria nesting mouse will bury seeds whole, favoring the germination. They will also eat fruits, flowers and occasionally insects. The Araucaria nesting mouse is nocturnal and lives in large colonies, with 30 to 100 individuals. They build their communal nests inside hollow araucaria trees. These nests are filled with leaves and grass. The breeding season is in the Southern Hemisphere spring, extending into late summer. The males will mate with several females inside the colony. There will be brief disputes between them for the right of mating, but rarely they end getting hurt during it. The gestation period is 16 days and the size of the litter ranges from three to 7 young, which are weaned when aged two weeks. The female can become pregnant again shortly after giving birth. In their large colonies, the females will help each other to take care of the young. Sexual maturity is reached when they are about 35 days old. The Araucaria nesting mouse have a lifespan of two years, but several fell prey to predators before even reaching three months.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good mouse.
ëÿãóøêà: Good rodent!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting rodent!
JOrnitho: Would be possible for a large descendant of the pichi armadillo (Zaedyus pichiy) to survive in Patagonia? It would have the size of a black bear and would hibernate in the winter, like their ancestors.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Probably yes, but why becoming gigantic?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: but why becoming gigantic? I thought that it could be different from their ancestors and to fill the niche of a large omnivorous. Perhaps it could have the size of a giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) or slightly larger?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Yes, this is more plausible. Or the size of capybara at most. The giant anteater is not an example: it does not dig the ground and does not dwell in burrows, as armadillos do.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã Interesting enough, some South America ground sloths used to make large burrows. You can see it here: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/get-lost-in-mega-tunnels-dug-by-south-american-megafauna
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the armadillo Gran piche (Amplizaedyus armatus) Order: Cingulata Family: Chlamyphoridae Habitat: Patagonian plains and woodlands The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of the humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. The pichi (Zaedyus pichiy), also known as the dwarf armadillo, was one of these survivors. Their descendant is the gran piche, a large inhabitant of the Patagonian plains. Unlike their ancestor, the gran piche isn’t a dwarf. The adults can grow up to 134 cm in length, standing at 62 cm in the shoulder. Their tail adds another 45 cm to their full size. The carapace varies from light yellow to dark brown, and consists of heavy scapular and pelvic shields composed of rectangular osteoderms, and separated by six to eight movable bands. An additional "nuchal" band lies in front of the scapular shield, and there is also a triangular shield on top of the head, and further osteoderms along the tail. The underside of the animal has a coat of tan-coloured hair, which is thicker and longer in winter; there are also a few long hairs protruding through small holes near the posterior edge of some of the scales. Gran piches have extremely long front claws, including a sickle-shaped third claw up to 30 cm. The ears are short, and the eyes dark and relatively small. To locate food and predators they’ll use their well developed sense of smell. They are omnivorous, with the largest part of their diet consisting of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, and scorpions, though they will also eat small mammals or lizards, as well as plant material and fungi. Gran piches are solitary and nocturnal, spending the day in burrows. Like their ancestors, they hibernate during the winter. While they can do it inside hollows that are made by themselves, this armadillo will also seek caves and large rock crevices. Their mating season starts in the middle of austral autumn. Female gran piches have two teats and have a gestational period of about five months. They give birth every three years.The young are weaned by about seven to eight months of age, and the mother periodically seals up the entrance to burrows containing younger offspring, seeking to protect them from predators. This species have a lifespan of 16 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one again!
ëÿãóøêà: Good armadillo.
ìåäâåäü: Interesting!
JOrnitho: Thanks everyone! I plan to make descriptions for some small mammals for South America. What do you think of a rodent endemic to the mangroves of Southeastern South America?
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Good ideas
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho rodent endemic to the mangroves of Southeastern South America? Good idea, but who is the ancestor?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: but who is the ancestor? A Cricetidae, still need to decide the species. Maybe an Akodon, they are very common in South America.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho ÎÊ.
JOrnitho: Another idea that I had was a descendant of the chinchila rats (Abrocomidae). Living in the Andes, it would acumulate fat tissue in the autumn for their hibernation in winter.
ìåäâåäü: Interesting idea!
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Do you think they'll still need to hibernate deeply and for long periods in the warm climate of neocene? Even in alpine climate of Andes, it will be considerably warmer than in holocene today.
ëÿãóøêà: Áèîëîã I think that this descendants of chinchillas still will hibernate - if it was -25 and became -20, it's still much cold for small cute rodent.
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà I thought it would be about -10 centigrade in winter, since -20 C is the temperature of holocenic mountains in temperate climate.
ëÿãóøêà: Áèîëîã I thought it would be about -10 centigrade in winter, since -20 C is the temperature of holocenic mountains in temperate climate. If warming is so strong, chinchillas won't hibernate.
JOrnitho: If the temperatures are that high, I don’t think that they would need to hibernate. However, they could still develop a fat tissue to survive the periods of lack of food, which usually come in the winter.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho At least, they will not hibernate for so long and so deeply as in holocene. And I agree about the fat.
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the mangrove rat, now I'll work in the chinchila rat. Atlantic mangrove rat (Palustromys cancrivorus) Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Habitat: Mangroves and coastal lagoons of Southeastern and Northeastern South America The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. The water rats (Nectomys) were capable of surviving and their direct descendants are the rodents of the genus Palustromys. The type species of this group is the Atlantic mangrove rat, an inhabitant of the mangroves and coastal lagoons of Southeastern and Northeastern South America. The Atlantic mangrove rat has a 19 cm body length and a tail of 15 cm. It have relatively longer, less hairy ears and a glossy, long pelage. This pelage is made up of wool hairs and guard hairs and is dark brown dorsally and is light gray on its sides and ventrally. All representatives of this genus have palmed hind feet, which allows them to swim. They have strong muscles in their head, allowing them to deliver powerful bites. They are omnivorous mammals with a diet ranging from fruits and leaves to insects and small fish. They have preference for the fruits of the mangrove trees, being able to risk climbing to reach it. With their powerful bite, the mangrove rats can crush crustaceans. They are solitary mammals that are active during the night. The males have a much less defined home range and tend to roam, while the females are very territorial. When swimming and searching for food, the mangrove water rat is able to detect objects under water and lift them above the surface in order to inspect to see if the object is edible or not using olfaction and sight. When hunting on land it is able to secure prey but pouncing and grasping with its forepaws. Nests are generally built in a similar way to those of birds and consist of dry twigs and leaves woven together. They are built inside dead trees alongside streams and under dense vegetation for protection The Atlantic mangrove rat is a polygynous rodent in which males will increase their home range in an attempt to mate with many females to produce the most offspring possible. Although males tend to be sexually active all year long, the females have a higher pregnancy rate during the wet season. This will produce offspring that have an abundant food source when born, resulting in greater growth and larger populations. Gestation periods last around 30 days and the litters can be as small as 1 offspring and as large as 7. Males are generally absent when raising the altricial young, so the female is responsible for feeding and caring for their young. This species has a lifespan of 3 years. Another representative of this genus is the Amazon mangrove rat (Palustromys amazonicus). This species inhabits from the mangroves of Northern South America to the flooded forests of the Amazon River. Their size is similar to that of the Atlantic species, but their fur is black rather than dark brown. Living in the coastal lagoons of Southern South America, the Southern mangrove rat (Palustromys australis) is another representative of the group. This species has a body length of 16 cm, while its tail measures 11 cm. They have a reddish brown fur with white underparts.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho It's good rodent.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good rat!
JOrnitho: I'm having problems to think in a good vernacular name for the chinchila rat. Any one have sugestions? It would be like a Holocenic chinchila rat, with the exception of it getting "fat" during the winter.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Winter chubby chinchilla? Fat tissue chinchilla? Fat chinchilla?
Áèîëîã: ëÿãóøêà Not bad, though too banal. Would be great to find local Indian (tupi, guarani) words for "fat" and "rat".
ëÿãóøêà: May be rata-gordita ("chubby rat" on spanish)?
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: May be rata-gordita ("chubby rat" on spanish)? I thought about using the name chinchillone, which is a local name for the chinchila rat. So maybe it could the chinchillone-gordito.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Good name, use it!
JOrnitho: Finished the description: Chinchillone-gordito (Abrocoma andina) Order: Rodentia Family: Abrocomidae Habitat: Andean Plateau and rocky areas of high altitude in the Andes The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. The chinchilla rats (Abrocoma) were capable of surviving and some new species of this genus appeared. One of them is the chinchillone-gordito, an inhabitant of the Andean Plateau and rocky areas of high altitude in the Andes. The chinchillone-gordito is morphologically similar to the members of the genus Abrocoma that lived during the Holocene. It had 25 cm of length, with 80% of their size being formed by their furred tail. The fur is long, dense and soft, and the ears prominent and rounded. The feet are broad but short, with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind; the small, nail-like claws are hidden by tufts of stiff bristles. The dorsal pelage is dark gray, slightly paler on the flanks, and the hairs on the underparts are white. However, what differentiates it from their ancestors is that, during the end of autumn, these rodents acquire a three-centimeter thick layer of fat. This helps them conserve energy for the cold months of winter, when food supply is low. It is diurnal and feeds on shoots, leaves, grasses and seeds. While they feed, a member of the group will stay as a sentinel. The chichillone-gordito lives in a burrow, often sharing a pre-existing one with other species. Alternatively it digs its own burrow, often under boulders. A group of up to six individuals can occupy the same burrow. Several colonial burrows may be grouped close together, forming colonies that may range from several to a hundred individuals. It is an efficient climber on both rocks and bushes. This species is monogamous. The mating season starts during the spring, with the gestation lasting for 120 days. One to two precocial young are born and they receive the care of both parents. Newborns are capable of eating plant food and are weaned at 6 weeks old and reach sexual maturity relatively quickly at an average age of 8 months. They have a lifespan of 8 years, but many are preyed before reaching this age.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good rat, again!
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho I also think it's good!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animal!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã Maybe the chinchillone-gordito could appear in the chapter about the migration of the Andean antelope?
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, I'll add it there.
JOrnitho: Do you think that would be possible for descendants of the agouti to develop fur modified in quills? The agoutis have bodies covered with coarse hair, which is raised when alarmed. Maybe in the Neocene they developed the quills to protect against predators. To not compete with the deer agouti, this species would fill the niche of their ancestors.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Quite plausible, but how deeply would they resemble porcupines?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Quite plausible, but how deeply would they resemble porcupines? Only the quills. They would still have the morphology of an Holocenic agouti, but with modified hairs for defense.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK.
JOrnitho: Finished the description of the agouti. Atlantic guatusa (Guatusa orientalis) Order: Rodentia Family: Dasyproctidae Habitat: Seasonal moist and dry broad-leaf tropical forests of the Atlantic coast of South America The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The agoutis (Dasyprocta) survived the anthropogenic onslaught, giving rise to several new genus. One of them is the Guatusa, the spiny agoutis. The word guatusa was used to name their ancestors in Ecuador. Members of this genus developed hair modified in quills that give them protection against predators. The type species is the Atlantic guatusa, an inhabitant of the seasonal moist and dry broad-leaf tropical forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. The Atlantic guatusa is morphologically similar to their ancestors. They are 56 cm long, with the males being larger than the females.They are light brown with darker spots on the upper body. The fur becomes darker as it goes past the middle area of the animal. This species is differentiable from their ancestors due to the quills that run along the nape and back that can be raised when alarmed. The quills are dark brown with yellowish-white circles. They can reach 35 cm. They eat fallen fruit, leaves and roots, although they may sometimes climb trees to eat green fruit. When feeding, agoutis sit on their hind legs and hold food between their fore paws. They may gather in groups of up to 100 to feed. Like their ancestors, the guatusa will hoard food in small, buried stores. They have strong mandibles that are used to break the shell of hard nuts. The Atlantic guatusa have no distinct breeding season, but females come into season twice a year and generally have one to four young. The gestation period is 114 days. On average, it takes 20 weeks for the young to be weaned. They are diurnal and monogamous, living in pairs or family groups of the parents and babies. They reach sexual maturity within 7 months and have a lifespan of 18 years. Another representative of the genus Guatusa is the Savanna guatusa (Guatusa albogullaris), an inhabitant of the savannas and gallery forests of Central South America, including the region of Gran Chaco. They are 53 cm long.They are reddish-brown with light spots on the upper body. The region of the neck and chest is white. The quills are light brown with white circles. The Amazon guatusa (Guatusa amazonica) is the largest representative of the genus, being 60 cm long. These inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest are black with light spots on the upper body. The underparts are light brown. The quills are light brown and lack circles.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animal!
JOrnitho: I made the description of descendants of the domestic goose. Crowned goose (Austroanser tropicalis) Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Habitat: Fresh water reservoirs, marshes, flooded areas and coastal lagoons of western South America During their expansion, the humans had transported several domesticated animals with them. Among them was the domestic goose, which could be the result of selective breeding from the wild greylag goose (Anser anser) and swan goose (Anser cygnoides). Some of these birds were able to survive and their descendants now live in the Neocene. In South America, the genus Austroanser appeared. The species in this genus are descendants of domestic goose (Anser anser domesticus), but with some genes of the Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus). The type species of the genus is the crowned goose, an inhabitant of fresh water reservoirs, marshes, flooded areas and coastal lagoons of western South America. These birds have 53 cm of length and a wingspan of 120 cm. The plumage is white with brown-gray head, neck, back, thighs and rump feathers. The primary and secondary feathers are black. The males have a characteristic crown of stiff white feathers. In the females it's only a small white tuft. They have a longer neck and bill, which is dark gray and have a small knob. Their feet are bright orange. Crowned geese are largely herbivorous and feed chiefly on grasses. It can also graze on plants such as sedges and water plants, but rarely swim in deep waters. They also consume small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs and insects. The members of the genus Austroanser tend to pair bond in long-term monogamous relationships, but there is cases of pairs separating and re-mate with other geese. Gregarious, they form small familiar flocks outside of the breeding season. Such groups are usually formed by close related individuals and rarely surpass 30 birds. The breeding season starts during the dry periods, when the water level is low. While they aren’t migratory, the crowned geese can make long trips to reach their nesting grounds. Several familiar flocks will congregate in grasslands and plains close to freshwater lakes and costal lagoons, forming flocks that can have thousands of individuals. During this period, members of different flocks will mate with each other. Usually, the female will join the male's flock after this period. Courtship of the crowned goose begins with the male honking while flapping his wings. When an interested female approaches, he'll lower his neck and shake his head. It makes the crown of feathers move. If the female accepts it, she'll mimic him. The nest is on the ground among heather, rushes, dwarf shrubs or reeds, or on a raft of floating vegetation. It is built from pieces of reed, sprigs of heather, grasses and moss, mixed with small feathers and down. A typical clutch is five to seven eggs, but fewer eggs or larger numbers are not unusual. The eggs are reddish-white and are mostly laid on successive days and incubation starts after the last one is laid. The female does the incubation, which lasts about 25 days, while the male remains on guard somewhere nearby. The chicks are precocial and able to leave the nest soon after hatching. Both parents are involved in their care and they soon learn to peck at food and become fully-fledged at eight or nine weeks, about the same time as their parents regain their ability to fly after molting their main wing and tail feathers a month earlier. Immature birds undergo a similar molt, and move to traditional, safe locations before doing so because of their vulnerability while flightless. Young crowned geese stay with their parents as a family group and return to their ranges outside the nesting season. This species reaches sexual maturity within 3 years and has a lifespan of 23 years. The Andean crowned goose (Austroanser andinus) is another representative of this genus. They inhabit the Andean Plateau and Patagonian plains, remaining close to rivers, marshes and lakes. This species is migratorius, with flocks of thousands of birds gathering in nesting grounds during spring and flying to the savannas of Central South America during winter. Outside the breeding season, they live in small family groups. The largest concentrations of these birds happens in their nesting grounds in the Andean Plateau. They are large waterfowl, with 80 cm of length and a wingspan of 150 cm. The plumage of their head, neck, and upper body are gray, while the underbody is white. The primary and secondary feathers are black. The males have the characteristic crown of stiff white feathers. In the females it's only a small white tuft
ìåäâåäü: Interesting birds!
JOrnitho: I made the description a gliding rodent for the forests of South America. Great feather-tailed rat (Volaticomys cinereus) Order:Rodentia Family: Echimyidae Habitat: Canopy of the flooded forests along the banks of the Amazon River and its tributaries The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. In South America, the rodents of family Echimyidae were able to survive and left several descendants. A group in particular had developed the ability of gliding with a patagium stretching between the fore and hind legs. They are the genus Volaticomys, the feather tailed rats. The type species of the genus is the greater feather-tailed rat, the largest representative of the genus. It's an inhabitant of the canopy of the flooded forest along the banks of the Amazon River and its tributaries. Its average body length ranges from 22 cm to 29 cm, with the tail ranging from 18 to 23 cm. Like other gliding mammals, they have a patagium stretching between the fore and hind legs. The tail is oval in cross-section, only slightly prehensile, and has very short fur except for two distinctive rows of long, stiff hairs on either side. This gives the tail the appearance of a feather or a double-sided comb. Such a characteristic is common to all members of the genus. The fur is soft and silky, and is a uniform gray on the upper body, and white on the underside. They have long vibrissae, which are larger than their heads. The great feather-tailed rat usually eats fruits, nuts, and fungi found on nocturnal forays through the tree canopy. They are solitary animals, with individuals only meeting to breed. This species is largely nocturnal, starting its activity just before dusk and retreating at dawn. They spend the day sleeping in nests made in tree hollows lined with bark, fur, moss, and leaves. The great feather-tailed rats are very vocal animals, with their callings being common in the night of the flooded areas of the Amazon rainforest. Mating occurs during the entire year, but has the apex during the wet season. A female can have four to seven litters during a year. The receptive females will call the males, with them calling for at least 4 hours each night until a male answers. Each litter averages three to five young. The gestation is about 38 to 39 days. The young are looked after by the mother alone and are born helpless, blind, and deaf. Their body is covered by hair at 21 days, their eyes and ears open after three to four weeks, and they develop all their teeth by 42 days. Juvenile great feather-tailed rat can eat solids around 40 days following birth and from that point can leave the nest on their own to find food. However, they still suckle from their mother until weaning occurs at 8 to 10 weeks. Sexual maturity is reached within 3 months and they have a lifespan of 6 years, but many fall prey to serpents, birds of prey and other mammals. The Atlantic feather-tailed rat (Volaticomys mesembrinus) is an inhabitant of the tropical forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, living in areas from sea level to montane forests. Its average body length ranges from 18 cm to 20 cm, with the tail ranging from 15 to 17 cm. They have dark brown fur in their upperparts, while the underparts are yellowish-white. Another representative of the genus is Andean feather-tailed rat (Volaticomys brevicaudatus), an inhabitant of the montane forests of the Andes. Its average body length ranges from 20 cm to 23 cm, with the tail ranging from 8 to 11 cm. Their fur is slate gray, with a white underside.
ìåäâåäü: Interesting rodents!
ëÿãóøêà: Good animal!
JOrnitho: Thanks! Here is the description of a small canid. Their ancestor is so well adapted that it can live even in urban forests in the middle of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Common maned-graxaim (Jubatocyon intrepidus) Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Habitat: Tropical areas of Western and Central South America, from costal forests to savannas. Absent in the Amazon rainforest. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. In South America, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) was capable of surviving and gave rise to the Genus Jubatocyon, the maned-graxaim. In Brazil, the word graxaim was one of the several names of their ancestors. The type species of the genus is the common aguara, a species found across much of the tropical areas of South America, being only absent in the Amazon rainforest. Their head and body length averages 55 cm, and the average tail length is 15 cm. The main characteristic of this group is the mane that grows downwards and backwards covering most of their neck. When threatened, the aguara can raise it to seem bigger and more threatening. The snout is narrow and slender, but the jaw is strong. The coat is short and thick. Coloration varies from auburn to dark brown on the upperparts. On the muzzle, ears and paws there is yellow fur. The tail, legs and ear tips are light gray. The ears are wide and round. The torso is somewhat narrow; legs are relatively long for an animal of this size. The tail is fluffy. Due to the presence of several larger predators in South America, the maned-graxaims were forced to fill the niche of opportunist omnivores, preferring fruits and insects, feeding on meat from rodents and birds when available. Other foods readily consumed include turtle eggs, tortoises, bird eggs, crustaceans, lizards and carrion. They will carefully approach the carcass left by hunting herons and packs uktenas, avoiding conflicts with them. A pair of these canids can face a solitary uktena, but large groups are impossible for them to confront. They can scare off vultures and other scavengers using displays of their manes and growls, but will flee with the arrival of an akatu. Common maned-graxaims form monogamous pairs, which hunt in cooperation. Territorialism is more common during the dry season. During rainy seasons, when there is more food, they pay less attention to territory. Hideouts and dens often are found in bushes and in thick grass, and there are typically multiple entrance holes per den. Despite being capable of tunneling, they prefer to take over other animals' burrows. Several characteristic sounds are made by the common maned-graxaims such as barking, whirring and howling, which occur often when pairs lose contact with one another. They reach sexual maturity within 10 months. Adult females give birth to one or two litters per year, depending on the climate and the availability of food. The reproductive period most often begins in early summer, and again in late winter. The birth of offspring follows after an approximately 56-day gestation. The breeding pair raises the pups together, which are weaned at around three months old and become independent of their parents around 8 months old. They have a lifespan of 14 years and are preyed upon by large animals such as hunting herons and birds of prey. Uktenas can kill them to eliminate a competidor, but will not feed on the carcass. Altiplano maned-graxaim (Jubatocyon obscurus) is another representative of the genus. Inhabiting the Andean Altiplano, this species has a body length averaging 60 cm, and the average tail length is 17 cm. Their fur is thicker and denser than their tropical relatives. The upper parts are black, while the underparts are light brown. The paws and ears are light brown, while the tail has a white tip. The Patagonian maned-graxaim (Jubatocyon australis) is a closely related species. An inhabitant of Patagonia and Southern South America, this species has a body length averaging 63 cm cm, and the average tail length is 13 cm. Like their Andean species, their fur is thicker and denser than that of common maned-graxaim. The upper parts are slate gray, while the underparts are yellowish-brown. The paws and ears are light brown, while the tail has a white tip. Being more carnivorous, this species will follow the migration of herds of large herbivores during winter, taking the opportunity to eat those that die or are killed during the journey.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho I like this animal!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animal!
JOrnitho: With the megafauna of South America being larger in the Neocene, would be possible for a larger vampire bat to appear? Like how the Desmodus draculae appeared in the Pleistocene.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: With the megafauna of South America being larger in the Neocene, would be possible for a larger vampire bat to appear? Like how the Desmodus draculae appeared in the Pleistocene. I think, yes! JOrnitho, what do you think, some large aquatic or semi-aquatic mammal will be found in the Neocene in Maracaibo lake instead of the dolphin Sotalia guianensis, for example. And who could become an ancestor? True, the lake with a rise of the level of the ocean will turn into a giant Gulf.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: JOrnitho, what do you think, some large aquatic or semi-aquatic mammal will be found in the Neocene in Maracaibo lake instead of the dolphin Sotalia guianensis, for example. And who could become an ancestor? wovoka, I think that it’s possible. The Caribbean species of algocetus could visit the Maracaibo gulf, perhaps to reproduce here. A resident species of the region could be a seal-like mammal. Sometime ago I proposed the lobo marino, a descendant of the American mink introduced in Southern South America. I'm not sure if other descendants of the mink would have reached the Caribe, I think that they would have remained in the Southern Hemisphere, close to Antartica. In this case, this species living in the Maracaibo gulf would need to be a case of convergent evolution. Perhaps a local species of mustelid or even the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) introduced in the Caribbean Islands could have evolved in a seal-like animal. In the case of the mongoose, it would have evolved in the coast of the islands and reached the Maracaibo lake later. What do you think?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: The Caribbean species of algocetus could visit the Maracaibo gulf, perhaps to reproduce here Good idea! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps a local species of mustelid or even the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) introduced in the Caribbean Islands could have evolved in a seal-like animal. In the case of the mongoose, it would have evolved in the coast of the islands and reached the Maracaibo lake later. What do you think? And what if we take a native, South American, rather than an invasive species, like the Amazon weasel? It is really a land animal, but living on the shores of the Amazon river, it can learn to swim. And then become an analogue, if not of the seal, but of the giant otter. From the Casiquiare river it can get to the Orinoco river thån to the ocean and thån to the Maracaibo gulf. What do you think?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: And what if we take a native, South American, rather than an invasive species, like the Amazon weasel? It is really a land animal, but living on the shores of the Amazon river, it can learn to swim. And then become an analogue, if not of the seal, but of the giant otter. From the Casiquiare river it can get to the Orinoco river thån to the ocean and thån to the Maracaibo gulf. What do you think? The Neocene Amazon already have a rodent that fits the niche of the giant otter: the otterodent. This species would need to have a different lifestyle or live in different areas. Another good ancestor is the tayra (Eira barbara), a mustelid that alraedy inhabits the Maracaibo lake. The population living in the region could have developed an aquatic lifestyle, with preference for marine and brackish environment. This way they would become more like a sea otter or seal. From there, these marine mammals could have radiated to Caribbean Islands and perhaps the Mexican gulf.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: tayra Tayra is a good variant! Will you describe it? And what will be the relationships between the water tayras and algocetuses? Water tayra - may be we should give it some name? You don't know the name of the Tayra in any of the Chibcha languages? And what about amazon weasel? Íow can it evolve? Maybe it will be a medium-sized predator of the Amazon, hunting monkeys, birds and other arboreal animals in the forest canopy? Or we can make her a semi-aquatic creature that lives in the lakes and rivers of Ecuador? What do you think?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Tayra is a good variant! Will you describe it? And what will be the relationships between the water tayras and algocetuses? Yes! I can write it. However, we need to decide if this species would have the lifestyle of a sea otter or of a seal. If possible, I'm inclined to have it being a bit of both, with these mustelids having the body plan of a seal, but feeding on benthic invertebrates and occasional small fishes. Regarding their relationship with the algocetuses, these mustelids could follow them to eat animals that are disturbed by these herbivores. It would be similar to what happens with the ayapuh in Southern South America. Another animal that could live around the Maracaibo gulf is the barocavia. I think that they would be well suited to the marshlands at the deltas of the rivers that drain there. And what about amazon weasel? Íow can it evolve? Maybe it will be a medium-sized predator of the Amazon, hunting monkeys, birds and other arboreal animals in the forest canopy? Or we can make her a semi-aquatic creature that lives in the lakes and rivers of Ecuador? I like the idea of it being semi-aquatic. Perhaps it's adapted to hunt in the flooded areas of the Amazon, such as the igapós. It could even hunt small semi-aquatic rodents.
wovoka: JOrnitho, I like all the ideas! We just have to come up with names for water tayra and semi-aquatic amazon weasel! May be we can ñall water tayra - aira - in Carib language or eîrara in Old Tupi. Semi-aquatic amazon weasel we can call eiba - weasel in Chibcha language, if it get from Amazonia to Orinoco and will get to the extensive swamps of the Orinoco Delta. I also think that the ocelot can live on the coast of Maracaibo and catch large fish, water birds and cubs of algocetus. We can call him awaruwape - legendary jaguar in Carib language. And brazilian guinea pig can became an analogue of peccary and eat aquatic plants on the shore of the bay. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ And i think we can make out of a Geoffroy's cat a big semi-aquatic creature the size of a jaguar in the lakes of Argentina (two speces: one in the great lakes and rivers of Santa Cruz province we will call it Oochel - Geoffroy's cat in Tehuelche language, second in salt lake Mar Chiquita charaba - cacique in the languge sanavirona.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: May be we can ñall water tayra - aira - in Carib language or eîrara in Old Tupi. What do you think of Yara or Uiara? It's the name of a siren in the Brazilian folklore and a literal translation means "the one that lives in the waters" from old tupi. Since this species would expend most of the time at water, this name can suit it. Semi-aquatic amazon weasel we can call eiba - weasel in Chibcha language, if it get from Amazonia to Orinoco and will get to the extensive swamps of the Orinoco Delta. I like this name. Perhaps other species in this genus could have spread to other rivers of Amazon, including the Orinoco. I also think that the ocelot can live on the coast of Maracaibo and catch large fish, water birds and cubs of algocetus. We can call him awaruwape - legendary jaguar in Carib language. It could be like the jaguars of Pantanal, which are adapted to hunt aquatic animals in the marshlands. I think that algocetus' cubs would be a very occasional prey. Cubs of barocavia would be more common in their diet. And i think we can make out of a Geoffroy's cat a big semi-aquatic creature the size of a jaguar in the lakes of Argentina (two speces: one in the great lakes and rivers of Santa Cruz province we will call it Oochel - Geoffroy's cat in Tehuelche language, second in salt lake Mar Chiquita charaba - cacique in the languge sanavirona. Would they actively hunt underwater or be like a jaguar, being capable of swimming and catching prey in the water occasionally? There is mythologies about water panthers, perhaps these two cats could be like them. I also thought that a giant darter (Anhinga) could live in the Maracaibo gulf. I'm in doubt if it would need to be flightless.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Yara I like the name! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps other species in this genus could have spread to other rivers of Amazon, including the Orinoco. Ok! let it be! JOrnitho ïèøåò: It could be like the jaguars of Pantanal, which are adapted to hunt aquatic animals in the marshlands. I think that algocetus' cubs would be a very occasional prey. Cubs of barocavia would be more common in their diet. Yes! I absolutely agree! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Would they actively hunt underwater or be like a jaguar, being capable of swimming and catching prey in the water occasionally? There is mythologies about water panthers, perhaps these two cats could be like them. I think the first species from Santa Cruz will hunt undewater, the second from the salt lake Mar Chiquita wil be like jaguar. JOrnitho ïèøåò: There is mythologies about water panthers, perhaps these two cats could be like them. What is this legend and what is the name of this water panthers? JOrnitho ïèøåò: I also thought that a giant darter (Anhinga) could live in the Maracaibo gulf. I'm in doubt if it would need to be flightless. Let it be flightless! And what do you think about brazilian guinea pig that became an analogue of White-lipped peccary and eat the plants on the shore of the Maracaibo gulf? I just can't think of a name for it.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: What is this legend and what is the name of this water panthers? There is several myths about such creatures in different parts of the world. The indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands and Great Lakes region in North America had the mishipeshu, also know as the water lynx. There is a creature in Amazonian folklore that is called the tapire-iaura and is described as a water jaguar with size of a cow that hunts in the flooded forests. In Chile, the Mapuche had legends about a creature called Nguruvilu, a half fox and half snake that cause dangerous whirlpools which kill people who try to cross rivers. And what do you think about brazilian guinea pig that became an analogue of White-lipped peccary and eat the plants on the shore of the Maracaibo gulf? I just can't think of a name for it. I like it! Perhaps its name could have something related with the peccari (since they are going to fit in its niche) and cuy (the spanish name of the guinea pig). I think that they could even be like a capybara. Other animals living in the Maracaibo gulf and the Catatumbo delta could be large snakes and turtles. If we have more species, the region (delta+gulf) could be a good place for a chapter.
wovoka: Let us call the hunting underwater cat from Santa Cruz Nguruvilu and the second cat tapiraiaura. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps its name could have something related with the peccari (since they are going to fit in its niche) and cuy (the spanish name of the guinea pig). I think that they could even be like a capybara. Then it can be kapìwa - capybara in carib language, or better cabiai-pyinko: from the words in carib language cabiai - cavy and pyinko - white-lipped peccary. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Other animals living in the Maracaibo gulf and the Catatumbo delta could be large snakes and turtles. Also we need birds and fishes. And may be the blue crab - Ucides cordatus (in carib language - kusa) JOrnitho ïèøåò: the region (delta+gulf) could be a good place for a chapter. This is the main purpose of our discussion And it will be interesting to make chapter about Nguruvilu for example in this lake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Carrera_Lake the other animals of the chapter could be Lagostomus maximus (will be analogue of water deer), Galictis cuja (will be analogue of bear eating on the shore the different mammals, water birds and eggs, snakes, amphibians), Cerdocyon thous (will be smaller, may be with some features of nutria, will be eating water species: fishes, amphibians and swiming birds).
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Let us call the hunting underwater cat from Santa Cruz Nguruvilu and the second cat tapiraiaura. I agree! wovoka ïèøåò: Then it can be kapìwa - capybara in carib language, or better cabiai-pyinko: from the words in carib language cabiai - cavy and pyinko - white-lipped peccary. I prefer cabiai-pyinko. Now that I think about it, this species would also be a prey of the descendant of the ocelot. Also we need birds and fishes. And may be the blue crab - Ucides cordatus (in carib language - kusa) We have the giant anhinga (a local name would be good for it). There could be rail, a descendant of the black-bellied whistling duck and perhaps a descendant of the sungrebe. I'll need to search about the fish, but the descendant of the blue crab could be one of the prey of the yara. And it will be interesting to make chapter about Nguruvilu for example in this lake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Carrera_Lake the other animals of the chapter could be Lagostomus maximus (will be analogue of water deer), Galictis cuja (will be analogue of bear eating on the shore the different mammals, water birds and eggs, snakes, amphibians), Cerdocyon thous (will be smaller, may be with some features of nutria, will be eating water species: fishes, amphibians and swiming birds). I like it! This lake have populations of brown and rainbow trouts that can have 5 to 6 kg. There could be descendants of these two species filling different niches in the lake.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I prefer cabiai-pyinko. Ok! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Now that I think about it, this species would also be a prey of the descendant of the ocelot. Yes, sure! JOrnitho ïèøåò: a local name would be good for it I'll try to find. JOrnitho ïèøåò: There could be rail, a descendant of the black-bellied whistling duck and perhaps a descendant of the sungrebe. Very good choice of the birds! JOrnitho ïèøåò: the descendant of the blue crab could be one of the prey of the yara. I think so too! JOrnitho ïèøåò: I'll need to search about the fish, Yes, please! JOrnitho ïèøåò: There could be descendants of these two species filling different niches in the lake. Ok, very good. Is there any crustaceans in this lake? They could be the good prey for Nguruvilu and for Cerdocyon thous.
wovoka: Galictis cuja can eat barocavias on the shores of the lake. Also we can use in the chapter Lyncodon patagonicus, but I haven't yet come up with it niche. And I think we can use in the chapter Spizaetus ornatus - it can be as giant as Haast's eagle and hunting on deermaras and animals of equal size, it will nest in the Patagonian Andes. Also we can make an analogue of Rhea pennata from Tinamotis ingoufi.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Galictis cuja can eat barocavias on the shores of the lake. The barocavias of this region could be another species. Perhaps smaller and shaggier than the ones of the tropical areas. wovoka ïèøåò: Also we can use in the chapter Lyncodon patagonicus, but I haven't yet come up with it niche. It could be like a ferret, hunting rodents inside their underground dens. wovoka ïèøåò: And I think we can use in the chapter Spizaetus ornatus - it can be as giant as Haast's eagle and hunting on deermaras and animals of equal size, it will nest in the Patagonian Andes. Maybe the Geranoetus melanoleucus would be a better ancestor? It's adapted to live in the Andes and open areas. wovoka ïèøåò: Also we can make an analogue of Rhea pennata from Tinamotis ingoufi. The Neocene already have the Pampas giant tinamou. It inhabits the Patagonia, so it already fills this niche.
wovoka: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Interesting discussion Thanks! JOrnitho, so we have such a bestiary for the future chapter about Maracaibo Gulf (let's think of a chapter title). Here will be capibaras and algocetuses New species 1. Yara - water descendent of tayra. 2. Awaruwape - jaguar-like descendent of ocelot 3. Cabiai-pyinko - peccary-like descendent of brazilian guinea pig 4. Karara - flightless descendent of giant darter (Anhinga) (in Carib language karara means and darter, and cormorant). 5. descendent of rail* 6. Kàwiriri - descendent of Dendrocygna autumnalis (Kàwiriri - is the name of this duck in carib language). 7. Cyculi - descendent of sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) (Cyculi - is the name of the bird in Guahibo language) 8. Kusa - descendant of blue crab (Ucides cordatus) The name of the rail will depend of it species: Porphyrula martinica: karapisuru purple gallinule - best of all I like this one Aramides cajanea: kotaka grey-necked wood-rail Rallus maculatus: akatasuwe spotted rail Rallus longirostris: sansaparu clapper rail Snakes kuwasakara - watersnake sp. ( it can be Pseudoeryx relictualis, Helicops scalaris, Hydrops triangularis, Liophis spp.) akurimopi - indigosnake (Drymarchon corais) asakaimo - rattlesnake [Crotalus durissus) okoju (it is spelling okoyu) - Xenodon severus sakompo any snake of Boidae family urupere or okojumo (it is spelling okoyumo) - carib mithological snake monsters sakurakura - any snake. Turtles arakaka - Guiana wood turtle, scorpion mud turtle, galap (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) - sometimes found in Lake Maracaibo, we can give this name arakaka to Rhinoclemmys diademata (the endemic of Maracaibo) Sea turtle tarekaja (Caretta caretta) but this species is vulnerable katusi or wajamu (it is spelling wayamu) - any turtle.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: JOrnitho, so we have such a bestiary for the future chapter about Maracaibo Gulf (let's think of a chapter title). Nice! I'll start to work in these descriptions. Porphyrula martinica: karapisuru purple gallinule - best of all I like this one Rallus maculatus: akatasuwe spotted rail Since they fill different niches, I think that we could have a rail and a gallinule. What do you think of an Anaconda like snake living in the region? Are sea turtles still alive in the Neocene?
ëÿãóøêà: Interesting discussion, I'll read it today!
ìåäâåäü: Are sea turtles still alive in the Neocene? No. But there are turtles from the new family Neoathecae (False scuteless turtles) from which the Atlantic bat turtle lays its eggs on the shores of the Amazon and Hippolyte rivers.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: No. But there are turtles from the new family Neoathecae (False scuteless turtles) from which the Atlantic bat turtle lays its eggs on the shores of the Amazon and Hippolyte rivers. Then this species can appear in this chapter.
wovoka: May be we can give such names to the chapter "The Lake that became a Gulf" or "Catatumbo lightning" JOrnitho ïèøåò: Nice! I'll start to work in these descriptions. It's good news! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Since they fill different niches, I think that we could have a rail and a gallinule. Let it be so! JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of an Anaconda like snake living in the region? I think it's possible! But what if will try to make sea Anaconda living in salt water of the Maracaibo Gulf? JOrnitho ïèøåò: The barocavias of this region could be another species. Perhaps smaller and shaggier than the ones of the tropical areas. Yes, i agree! It will be Patagonian shaggy barocavia. JOrnitho ïèøåò: It could be like a ferret, hunting rodents inside their underground dens. I just want to make it bigger. And make something like Azawakh (African hound) hunting on very fast rodents. It will be smaller than Uecubu. I think Microcavia australis and Galea musteloides could became "pseudorabbits". The hound like Lyncodon patagonicus could hunting them. But we should ecologically separate these two species of rodents into different niches. For example, galeas will look like maras and microcavias like rabbits, and they will eat different plants. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe the Geranoetus melanoleucus would be a better ancestor? It's adapted to live in the Andes and open areas. Ok! JOrnitho ïèøåò: The Neocene already have the Pampas giant tinamou. It inhabits the Patagonia, so it already fills this niche. Then this bird species will be included in our chapter, but we can make a subspecies of this bird, living in wetlands arroud the lake. Bestiary for the chapter about General Carrera Lake. I propose the name of chapter "Lake Chelenko" (it is the autochthonous name of the lake, which means "stormy waters" in Aonikenk (one of the languages of Tehuelche indians), or just "Stormy waters". 1. Calfun the large descendent of blue eagle Geranoetus melanoleucus, analogue of Haast's eagle (calfun - blue eagle in Mapudungun, language of Mapuche indians) 2. Nguruvilu big hunting underwater cat from Santa Cruz lakes, descendent of Geoffroy's cat. 3. Choique (marsh subspecies of Pampas giant tinamou) - described in bestiary of neocen (Choique - rhea in Mapudungun) 4. Menuco-Loan - guanaco like descendent of Plains viscacha from vast wetlands arround the lake (Menuco- swamp and Loan - guanaco in Mapudungun) (the other subspecies of Menuco-Loan living in Menuco de las Cabezas de Vaca and Iberá Wetlands) 5. Co-Guru - semi-aquatic descendent of maikong (Co - water and Guru - fox in Mapudungun) 6. Sotaqui - bear like decsendent of lesser grison: hunting and gathering food along the banks of the rivers and lakes of Patagonia and in the wetlands around the rivers and lakes (Sotaqui means "very large" in Mapudungun) 7. Aukenk - hound like descendent of Patagonian weasel (Aukenk - hunter in Aonikenk) 8. Pajar - mara like descendent of Galea musteloides (Pajar - mara in Aonikenk) 9. Liwri - rabbit like descendendent of Microcavia australis (Liwri - hare in Quechua): there will be three species of liwri: Mountain liwri - almost all Ands, Wetland liwri - swamps and shores of the lakes of Patagonia and La Plata Basin, Lowland liwri - Patagonia, Gran Chaco. 10.Kokn - descendent of black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) (Kokn - black-necked swan in Aonikenk) 11. Olbeno - descendent of Mareca sibilatrix (Olbeno - Mareca sibilatrix in Aonikenk) 12. Chote - descendent of Anas flavirostris (Chote - Anas flavirostrisin in Aonikenk) 13. Kau - descendent of Chroicocephalus maculipennis (Kau - any gull in Aonikenk) 14. Chetjarre - descendent of Cyanoliseus patagonus (Chetjarre - Cyanoliseus patagonus in Aonikenk): we will make these parrots more omnivoruos (they will eat everything that could find on the shores of the lake and in wetlands across the lake). 15. Koien - descendent of rainbow trouts (Koien - any fish in Aonikenk). 16. Kooi - descendent of brown trouts (Kooi - any fish in Aonikenk). 17. Pitral or Kaponk - descendent of Phoenicopterus chilensis (Pitral - flamingo in Mapudungun; Kaponk - flamingo in Aonikenk).
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: I think it's possible! But what if will try to make sea Anaconda living in salt water of the Maracaibo Gulf? I like it! It could also live in the delta, hunting fishes and medium-sized mammals and birds. Who could be the ancestor?
ëÿãóøêà: wovoka Good idea, but: 15. Koien - descendent of rainbow trouts (Koien - any fish in Aonikenk). 16. Kooi - descendent of brown trouts (Kooi - any fish in Aonikenk). Are they living in Macairobo region? I wanted to settle them into rivers of American Cordillera.
wovoka: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Are they living in Macairobo region? I wanted to settle them into rivers of American Cordillera. The last bestiary is not about Maracaibo, it is about this lake https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Carrera_Lake
ëÿãóøêà: wovoka Ok, I'll describe them if I have enough time.
JOrnitho: wovoka, what do you think of this description for the Yara: The yara is a medium-sized aquatic mammal. The males have 150 cm of length, while the females have 120 cm. Like seals, their paws are modified into flippers, with their hind flippers being bound to the pelvis in such a way that they cannot bring them under their bodies to walk on them. Their hind limbs are larger than their fore ones and are actively used to swim. In the water, yaras move with up and down movements, similar to that of cetaceans. Their fore flippers are used primarily for steering and to drag them when moving on land. There is still more details to be added, but it's what I thought so far. I wanted the yara to swim like a siren.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I wanted the yara to swim like a siren. I think it's impossible. The swimming style is determined by the nature of the diet, if the animal is predatory and eats fish, then it is one swimming style, if it eats benthic animals, the swimming style may differ slightly, and if it is herbivorous and grazes on algae thickets, then this is the third way of swimming. The other part of description is very good. ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Ok, I'll describe them if I have enough time. I think the descendents of these two fishes will be different in South American lake and in North American Cordilliera rivers. As I understand, JOrnitho wants to make lake fishes in SA, and you want to make a migratory fishes in NA.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: The swimming style is determined by the nature of the diet, if the animal is predatory and eats fish, then it is one swimming style, if it eats benthic animals, the swimming style may differ slightly, and if it is herbivorous and grazes on algae thickets, then this is the third way of swimming. Would it swim like a seal, rather than like a cetacean? wovoka ïèøåò: I think the descendents of these two fishes will be different in South American lake and in North American Cordilliera rivers. As I understand, JOrnitho wants to make lake fishes in SA, and you want to make a migratory fishes in NA. With how the trouts were introduced in different regions in South America, it's possible to have several species evolving there.
ìåäâåäü: I just want to make it bigger. And make something like Azawakh (African hound) Are you sure that cursorial mustelids could evove in the presence of canids? I know we already have zibetonyx, but I think we should not add more such species.
wovoka: Ìåäâåäü. The speed of the foxes ( in Patagonia lycalopex griseus) is about 50-60 km/h I don't know about speed of Patagonian weasel but the speed of Neogale frenata 56 km/h and it can run hunting the prey for 3 hours tirelessly. So mustelids could compete with canids in speed and endurance. But i agree Patagonian weasel can be like a ferret, hunting rodents inside their underground dens, but when it is neccesary it can catch up very fust rodent running for him for a long time. But we can also evolve patagonian fox for another niche for example of omnivorous and twilight Chrysocyon brachyurus (but more massive), to open niche of medium running hunter for weasel.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Would it swim like a seal I think yes! JOrnitho ïèøåò: With how the trouts were introduced in different regions in South America, it's possible to have several species evolving there. May be you are right.
JOrnitho: wovoka, what if rather than a sungrebe, we have a diver living in Lake Maracaibo? It would be the descendant of birds that reached the tropical zone fleeing the cold of the last Ice Age.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But i agree Patagonian weasel can be like a ferret, hunting rodents inside their underground dens, but when it is neccesary it can catch up very fust rodent running for him for a long time. It makes me think that perhaps the Patagonian weasel could evolve into a wolverine-like (Gulo gulo) animal, which can also pursue its prey relentlessly and is capable of bringing down animals that are larger than itself. May be you are right. I think that all these species would have evolved indepently from each, since they were the result of different introductions. The Salmo trutta was also introduced in Brazil, living well in a place called Macaé river. Perhaps a descendant could also appear here.
ìåäâåäü: It makes me think that perhaps the Patagonian weasel could evolve into a wolverine-like (Gulo gulo) animal, which can also pursue its prey relentlessly and is capable of bringing down animals that are larger than itself. I think that would be better.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: It makes me think that perhaps the Patagonian weasel could evolve into a wolverine-like (Gulo gulo) animal, which can also pursue its prey relentlessly and is capable of bringing down animals that are larger than itself. Ok, I agree, but "Wolverine cannot run too fast - its maximum speed is 20 km / h, but this shortcoming is compensated by the endurance of the beast. Moving at an awkward gallop, she can run 15 km or more without stopping." Then who will be hunting these animals?: 8. Pajar - mara like descendent of Galea musteloides (Pajar - mara in Aonikenk) 9. Liwri - rabbit like descendendent of Microcavia australis (Liwri - hare in Quechua): there will be three species of liwri: Mountain liwri - almost all Ands, Wetland liwri - swamps and shores of the lakes of Patagonia and La Plata Basin, Lowland liwri - Patagonia, Gran Chaco. I think wolverine-like Patagonian weasel couldn't catch up such cursorial rodents. May be the descendent of lycalopex griseus will hunt them? But how it will evolve? Are you agree to make it an analogue of omnivorous and maybe twilight Chrysocyon brachyurus (but just more massive) and with color of Cross fox? It will be fast enough to hunt these cursorial roddents, but also could eat other small and medium animals: mammals, birds (their eggs), reptilians, amphibians and even invertebrates and also fruits, berries, some edible plants, mushrooms. Lycalopex griseus already have such a diet. We can call it Guor or Guer - another names of fox in Mapudungun. But I forgot about culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus), what will we do with it? It's bigger and stronger than Lycalopex griseus. JOrnitho, Ìåäâåäü, have you any ideas?
ìåäâåäü: I have a bit stupid idea. Could we make culpeo into an Epicyon-like form?
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I have a bit stupid idea. Could we make culpeo into an Epicyon-like form? I don't think that it is stupid idea, I like it! But we need to determine its diet and share it ecologically with other predators of the region. Maybe he will be mainly a scavenger and will love to crack open the bones of large dead animals in order to eat marrow? Or you have another proposition?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Then who will be hunting these animals?: 8. Pajar - mara like descendent of Galea musteloides (Pajar - mara in Aonikenk) 9. Liwri - rabbit like descendendent of Microcavia australis (Liwri - hare in Quechua): there will be three species of liwri: Mountain liwri - almost all Ands, Wetland liwri - swamps and shores of the lakes of Patagonia and La Plata Basin, Lowland liwri - Patagonia, Gran Chaco. I think wolverine-like Patagonian weasel couldn't catch up such cursorial rodents. Isn't the uecubu present on this region? Perhaps it could be the predator of these animals and appear in a possible chapter about the region. Also, what do you think of my idea of a descendant of the Gavia immer living in Lake Maracaibo? It's ancestors would have reached the region fleeing the Ice Age. In this case, this bird would replace the sungrebe. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I have a bit stupid idea. Could we make culpeo into an Epicyon-like form? I also like this idea! Perhaps it could be fill the niche of a hyena in this habitat.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Isn't the uecubu present on this region? Yes it's present, but it is more specialized on deermaras and deers. And we also can include uecubu in chapter. But I want to have in chapter also descendent of lycalopex griseus. That's why I proposed: "To make it an analogue of omnivorous and maybe twilight Chrysocyon brachyurus (but just more massive) and with color of Cross fox? It will be fast enough to hunt these cursorial roddents, but also could eat other small and medium animals: mammals, birds (their eggs), reptilians, amphibians and even invertebrates and also fruits, berries, some edible plants, mushrooms" I think so we can share ecologically this new animal and uecubu. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps it could be fill the niche of a hyena in this habitat. We will call this animal Gualicho - it is evil spirit in mithology of Mapuche borrowed from mythology of Tehuelche. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Also, what do you think of my idea of a descendant of the Gavia immer living in Lake Maracaibo? It's ancestors would have reached the region fleeing the Ice Age. In this case, this bird would replace the sungrebe. As you wish! But why you decided to replace the sungrebe? Ok, we will call the descendent of Gavia immer - Wakola, what's mean loon in Muscogee language, language of Seminol indians that were living in Florida - the nearest place to the lake Maracaibo were gools were wintering.
ìåäâåäü: Maybe he will be mainly a scavenger and will love to crack open the bones of large dead animals in order to eat marrow? Or you have another proposition? A good idea! I will describe it when I will have more time.
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: A good idea! I will describe it when I will have more time. Ok, thank you!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But I want to have in chapter also descendent of lycalopex griseus. That's why I proposed: "To make it an analogue of omnivorous and maybe twilight Chrysocyon brachyurus (but just more massive) and with color of Cross fox? It will be fast enough to hunt these cursorial roddents, but also could eat other small and medium animals: mammals, birds (their eggs), reptilians, amphibians and even invertebrates and also fruits, berries, some edible plants, mushrooms" I think so we can share ecologically this new animal and uecubu. Yes, the difference in niches between the two animals would allow them to live together. The descendant of the Lycalopex griseus could very well be the new Chrysocyon brachyurus, perhaps even living in the savannas. What do you think of it having dense fur around the neck? Like a collie dog, but shorter. wovoka ïèøåò: As you wish! But why you decided to replace the sungrebe? I thought that would be interesting to have a species that was once from cold regions and migrated to the region to flee the Ice Age. We can still find a way to use the sungrebe. Any ideas? Could it be restricted to the delta, while the loon lives in brackish and coastal areas?
ìåäâåäü: But loons did not move to South America during the last ice age. And they are pretty cold-tolerant.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: But loons did not move to South America during the last ice age. And they are pretty cold-tolerant I thought that becuaase the Gavia inner migrates to Florida, so I thought that some individuals could have reaced South America. However, if it's implausible, we can have the sungrebe in this place. What do you think of a large sungrebe adapted to living in brackish water and coastal areas? The folds of skin that they have under their wings in which they carry their young from hatching until the chicks are able to swim also makes them more interesting than loons.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of it having dense fur around the neck? Like a collie dog. It will be interesting detail of the appearance of the animal! JOrnitho ïèøåò: I thought that would be interesting to have a species that was once from cold regions and migrated to the region to flee the Ice Age. Yes, I agree it's a good proposition! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Could it be restricted to the delta, while the loon lives in brackish and coastal areas? Yes of course! Also the may have different diet. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: But loons did not move to South America during the last ice age. And they are pretty cold-tolerant. JOrnitho is talking about the descendent of Gavia immer, and I'm not sure in there absolute cold-tolerance if they can wintering in South California or Florida. Maybe representatives of the most southern populations during the ice age flew for wintering not to Florida, but to Lake Maracaibo, and some of them remained to live on the lake, that rich in all kinds of tasty living creatures. There they formed a new population, which evolved in Neocene, forming a new species - Wakola. Is it impossible?
ìåäâåäü: However, if it's implausible, we can have the sungrebe in this place. What do you think of a large sungrebe adapted to living in brackish water and coastal areas? Wikipedia says that sungrebes have problems with dispersing over saltwater, so they may not like coasts so much. But it is interesting, so if you have a solution to this problem, then why not? Maybe representatives of the most southern populations during the ice age flew for wintering not to Florida, but to Lake Maracaibo, and some of them remained to live on the lake, that rich in all kinds of tasty living creatures. There they formed a new population, which evolved in Neocene, forming a new species - Wakola. Is it impossible? Loons usually make their nest no farther than 0,5 m from the water`s edge, so they cannot nest on the shores of a waterbody with water level changing much due to tides. The laughterloon can crawl a bit better on land because of its strong wings, but the traditional loons cannot.
wovoka: ìåäâåäü Yes, these are serious remarks and should be considered. In Maracaibo region also live Cebus albifrons and Procyon cancrivorus. We can make them more aquatic: Capuchin monkeys make like Nasalis larvatus or Macaca fuscata or at least like Allenopithecus nigroviridis. And raccoon could occupy an interesting niche that no one had previously occupied: big water bear - a beast the size of a hippopotamus, but not herbivorous but predatory, eating any life creature which can catch. Or it can be like ambulocetus: large ambush aquatic predator. But for that we should annihilate in the lake region Caiman crocodilus.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü I'll need to think about the sungrebe. Perhaps they developed a large gland capable of removing salt from their food? This species could have a knob to house said gland. Regarding the loons, I thought that they could nest at the delta or inside Catatumbo River. They could use the strategy of making floating nests connected to the vegetation of the shore. wovoka ïèøåò: Capuchin monkeys make like Nasalis larvatus or Macaca fuscata or at least like Allenopithecus nigroviridis. I like it! They could swim to take shellfish and use rocks to break it. wovoka ïèøåò: And raccoon could occupy an interesting niche that no one had previously occupied: big water bear - a beast the size of a hippopotamus, but not herbivorous but predatory, eating any life creature which can catch. Or it can be like ambulocetus: large ambush aquatic predator. But for that we should annihilate in the lake region Caiman crocodilus. Aren't some large caimans and crocodiles extinct in the Neocene? Perhaps the species of Maracaibo were among the unfortunate ones that disappeared. Since it would be a ambush predator, what if it became an analogue to the Ambulocetus? If this idea is too crazy, we can have a giant caiman living in the region.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I'll need to think about the sungrebe. Perhaps they developed a large gland capable of removing salt from their food? This species could have a knob to house said gland. Regarding the loons, I thought that they could nest at the delta or inside Catatumbo River. They could use the strategy of making floating nests connected to the vegetation of the shore. I like the ideas, but let's listen to the arguments of Ìåäâåäü, he is real specialist in birds. JOrnitho ïèøåò: I like it! They could swim to take shellfish and use rocks to break it. Will we make them big noses like have diving Nasalis larvatus? JOrnitho ïèøåò: Since it would be a ambush predator, what if it became an analogue to the Ambulocetus? If this idea is too crazy, we can have a giant caiman living in the region. I prefer Ambulocetus. In portrait of Earth written: Ground-dwelling caimans, the representatives of declining order of crocodiles, are analogues of monitor lizards and inhabit pampas and light forests. So according to canon, there is no any crocodiles or caimans in Maracaibo region.
ìåäâåäü: Regarding the loons, I thought that they could nest at the delta or inside Catatumbo River. They could use the strategy of making floating nests connected to the vegetation of the shore Most loons are too heavy to build floating nests. However, the largest species of grebe, the great grebe (Podiceps major) weighs 1,6 to 2 kg and overlaps in weight with the smallest loon species, the red-throated loon (Gavia stellata), which weighs 1-2,7 kg. But you want to use the common loon (Gavia immer) in which even the smallest individuals weigh about 2,2 kg, the average weight being about 4,5 kg for females and about 5,5 kg in males. It must become sufficiently lighter, otherwise floating nests are out of question. Meanwhile, how high tides are there in the said place? In Maracaibo region also live Cebus albifrons and Procyon cancrivorus. We can make them more aquatic: Capuchin monkeys make like Nasalis larvatus or Macaca fuscata or at least like Allenopithecus nigroviridis. As far as I know most or all New World monkeys cannot really swim.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Will we make them big noses like have diving Nasalis larvatus? I don’t think that it would be necessary. They could remain like a Cebus, but with a different lifestyle. Would they be larger than their ancestors or the have the same size? wovoka ïèøåò: I prefer Ambulocetus. Same. This species would be more interesting for the chapter, rather than having a common caiman. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: It must become sufficiently lighter, otherwise floating nests are out of question. Do you think that would possible for them to become smaller? The isolation from their ancestors and possible the effect of Bergman' rule (organisms in higher latitudes should be larger than those in lower ones). If it isn’t possible, maybe we can still have a grebe. Is there any species living in the region of Lake Maracaibo? ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: Meanwhile, how high tides are there in the said place? In the present, the highest tide is of 0.6m.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: If it isn’t possible, maybe we can still have a grebe. Is there any species living in the region of Lake Maracaibo? Tachybaptus dominicus and Podilymbus podiceps JOrnitho ïèøåò: Would they be larger than their ancestors or the have the same size? Before answer this question we should decide what will be the style of their life and what will be there diet. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: As far as I know most or all New World monkeys cannot really swim. According to this article https://bioone.org/journals/neotropical-primates/volume-21/issue-2/044.021.0210/Report-of-a-Black-Spider-Monkey-iAteles-chamek-i-Swimming/10.1896/044.021.0210.full There are three american monkeys that can swim Alouatta palliata (the closest to Maracaibo, but vulnerable), Cacajao melanocephulus (also live in Venezuela but in the south regions, maybe it can migrate to Maracaibo), Ateles chamek (too far from Maracaibo). Also there written Some platyrrhines, such as Cebus, Cacajao, Aotus, and Saimiri, can inhabit or use swamps and seasonally flooded areas, but they do not swim between habitat patches. I think Cebus albifrons may first of all become swamp monkeys and then gradually, million years after a million, slowly learn to swim. JOrnitho I also thinking about the bestiary of salt lake Mar Chiquita (especially I like that this lake has an island El Mistolar). We have already decided to settle there jaguar like descendant of Geoffroy's cat - Tapiraiaura. And I think that there can be aquatic descendant of maikong analogue of Arctocephalus galapagoensis. Then it we call charaba - cacique in the languge sanavirona. The mammals are living there (except two species that we have already chosen): 1. Coypu - we can make protoalgocetus - transitional from Coypu to algocetus. 2. Holochilus brasiliensis - we can make something more aquatic with this animal 3. Tuco-tuco - we can do something with it. 4. Lycalopex gymnocercus 5. Puma - is already evolve in neocene to Felinoraptor 6. Jaguarundi 7. Leopardus pajeros 8. Procyon cancrivorus 9. Noctilio leporinus - fish eating bat. It is interesting to evolve this animal. I have no ideas about the evolution of non highlighted in color mammals. Lontra longicaudis, Tamandua tetradactyla, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Chrysocyon brachyurus - extinct in Neocene Here the book about this lake and we can chose fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and invertebrates for the chapter https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzacec5vnrirrrxnuvg4xjnhwlmvovdkxbrjxq3z3djtp2zxjhoiwrrbu?filename=Enrique%20H.%20Bucher%20-%20The%20Mar%20Chiquita%20Salt%20Lake%20%28C%C3%B3rdoba%2C%20Argentina%29_%20Ecology%20and%20Conservation%20of%20the%20Largest%20Salt%20Lake%20in%20South%20America-Springer%20International%20Publishing%20%282019%29.pdf I like Salvator merianae - may be we can make a caiman like form? And I like Bothrops alternatus - water viper snake. The Phoenicoparrus of the lake are Vulnerable They sure will extinct to neocene. May be some bird of the lake can replace them? May be Cygnus melacoryphus? There are a lot of Egretta thula there, how can it evolve? Study the book, please, choose who you want for the chapter...
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Tachybaptus dominicus and Podilymbus podiceps Both are interesting, which one do you thing that could be the ancestor of a species adapted to brackish water? wovoka ïèøåò: The mammals are living there (except two species that we have already chosen): 1. Coypu - we can make protoalgocetus - transitional from Coypu to algocetus. 2. Holochilus brasiliensis - we can make something more aquatic with this animal 3. Tuco-tuco - we can do something with it. 4. Lycalopex gymnocercus 5. Puma - is already evolve in neocene to Felinoraptor 6. Jaguarundi 7. Leopardus pajeros 8. Procyon cancrivorus 9. Noctilio leporinus - fish eating bat. It is interesting to evolve this animal. The coypu can be like a Prorastomus, with functional legs. Holochilus could be an otter like rodent, unless there is already something similar in the region. Lycalopex gymnocercus could have remained with its niche, perhaps acting like a jackal. The tuco-tuco could evolve to become large like a marmot. I'll need to think about the rest. What do you think of a vulture adapted to live in the cold areas of Patagonia and around this lake? It could be a descendant of the Cathartes aura. wovoka ïèøåò: The Phoenicoparrus of the lake are Vulnerable They sure will extinct to neocene Maybe they are replaced by Phoenicopterus? This species is Near Threatened, so they have a better chance of surviving. With the extinction of Phoenicoparrus, these flamings could take the niche left by the other species. wovoka ïèøåò: Study the book, please, choose who you want for the chapter... I'll read it.
ìåäâåäü: Do you think that would possible for them to become smaller? The isolation from their ancestors and possible the effect of Bergman' rule (organisms in higher latitudes should be larger than those in lower ones) In the winter, common loons usually move southwards just far enough to reach non-frozen waterbodies. And I doubt that lakes of Florida would freeze even during the ice age. They also have high breeding site fidelity. which one do you thing that could be the ancestor of a species adapted to brackish water? I think the latter. Even nowadays it is occasionally found in salt water.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Both are interesting, which one do you thing that could be the ancestor of a species adapted to brackish water? I don't good specialist in birds. May be Ìåäâåäü will help us again? JOrnitho ïèøåò: The coypu can be like a Prorastomus, with functional legs. Wow, it's a very cool idea! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Holochilus could be an otter like rodent There is a mistake in the book. The English name of the rodent Chacoan marsh rat - it's Holochilus chacarius, but the latin name in the book Holochilus brasiliensis. It is absolutely different animal. I think it's really Holochilus chacarius live in the lake. This animal is herbivorous and couldn't be like otter. So he more likely would be like coypus or muskrat. But to be honest it is a little bit boring. May be we can design some other niche for it? JOrnitho ïèøåò: Lycalopex gymnocercus could have remained with its niche, perhaps acting like a jackal. May be it be acting like Cuon alpinus (and form of the body will be similar) and with color like Lycaon pictus? JOrnitho ïèøåò: The tuco-tuco could evolve to become large like a marmot. I think it would be before evolving swimming tuco-tuco as Ctenomys lewisi or Ctenomys fulvus https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Zeitschrift-Saeugetierkunde_53_0011-0021.pdf and can became social like Ctenomys sociabilis, and so it evolve into "social semiaquatic marmot" JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe they are replaced by Phoenicopterus? Yes, Phoenicopterus ruber can replace them. But if it extinct too, then according to the last genetic research the closest genetic relatives of flamingos are grebes: There are five species of grebes in Mar Chiquita: Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Least grebe Rollandia Rolland White-tufted grebe Podiceps major Great grebe Podiceps occipitalis Southern Silvery grebe They all have good chance to survive! May be Phoenicopterus ruber will not extinct, but don't reach the lake and we can take one of the grebes to make flamingo-like grebes grebingo
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I think the latter. Even nowadays it is occasionally found in salt water. Then it'll be Podilymbus podiceps. wovoka ïèøåò: There is a mistake in the book. The English name of the rodent Chacoan marsh rat - it's Holochilus chacarius, but the latin name in the book Holochilus brasiliensis. It is absolutely different animal. I think it's really Holochilus chacarius live in the lake. This animal is herbivorous and couldn't be like otter. So he more likely would be like coypus or muskrat. But to be honest it is a little bit boring. May be we can design some other niche for it? Probably the population here was reclassified. Since the local coypu is going to be a basal form of algocetus, the Holochilus could replace them as the local large water rat. Or it could remain with the same niche, but with the webbing in the feet more developed. A diving rat that search for algae and plants underwater. Perhaps a local plant could offer a food source that makes diving necessary. wovoka ïèøåò: May be it be acting like Cuon alpinus (and form of the body will be similar) and with color like Lycaon pictus? I think that it would need to be smaller and not like the dhole, the uktenas already live here. However, in sone parts of Asia Cuon alpinus and wolves share habitats. Do you know how their interactions and niche avoidance happens? It could be similar in Patagonia. The color is a good idea. wovoka ïèøåò: May be Phoenicopterus ruber will not extinct, but don't reach the lake and we can take one of the grebes to make flamingo-like grebes grebingo I like the name , but would the grebes be able to evolve to fill the niche of flamingos? They have very different adaptations. Would it be a grebe that becomes pink by feeding of local crustaceans or is it capable of filtering the water to take food from it?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: May be we can design some other niche for it? I had a new idea. What if the Holochilus becomes like a beaver,? We could think in a way that they could build something that could change the environment that they live, like the dams of beavers.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho What if the Holochilus No, I think that coypu will be better ancestor of "false beaver".
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: No, I think that coypu will be better ancestor of "false beaver". What do you think of the coypu being the "false beaver" and building huts, while the Holochilus becomes some sort of a "renter"? It would live inside the coypu's huits, but we can give it some more interesting characteristics.
wovoka: JOrnitho, I'm sorry, I'll be busy these days. I'll ask you in Wednesday evening. Ok?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: JOrnitho, I'm sorry, I'll be busy these days. I'll ask you in Wednesday evening. Ok? Ok!
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Since the local coypu is going to be a basal form of algocetus, the Holochilus could replace them as the local large water rat. Or it could remain with the same niche, but with the webbing in the feet more developed. A diving rat that search for algae and plants underwater. Perhaps a local plant could offer a food source that makes diving necessary. I think we will better make coypu as protosiren fraasi but smaller and holochilus a smaller version of prorastomus. I think Lycalopex gymnocercus may be like dhole with color like Lycaon pictus but he will be individual. And local uktena will become like Aenocyon dirus guildayi making little packs ( max 10 uktenas) JOrnitho ïèøåò: Would it be a grebe that becomes pink by feeding of local crustaceans I think yes! Leopardus pajeros will be specialized on hunting on social tuco-tucos (pseudomarmots)
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: I think we will better make coypu as protosiren fraasi but smaller and holochilus a smaller version of prorastomus. I agree with the idea of the coypu being similar to protosiren, but I don’t think that holochilus would be able to have the niche of prorastomus. It’s too similar to that of the coypu. This is why I suggested the Holochilus' descendant being like beaver, since the coypus of the region would have evolved to fill a sirenian niche. wovoka ïèøåò: I think Lycalopex gymnocercus may be like dhole with color like Lycaon pictus but he will be individual. And local uktena will become like Aenocyon dirus guildayi making little packs ( max 10 uktenas) Ok! wovoka ïèøåò: Leopardus pajeros will be specialized on hunting on social tuco-tucos (pseudomarmots) Good idea! It would be able to swim after the tuco-tucos if they try to escape through the water. By the way, I don’t think that the existence of a descendant of the ocelot in Maracaibo Gulf and nearby areas would be possible. The jaguarete already exists and fills its niche, unless we consider the Awaruwape as a subspecies.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: niche of prorastomus. It’s too similar to that of the coypu. JOrnitho, I don't think these niches are similar. Holochilus-prorastomus could be eating grass on the banks of the lake and eat Algae in the water, he will bigger then coypu with length 1,2-1,3 m with tail - 0,5 m with tall 70 cm. With muzzle 30 cm. Smooth-haired. And better social to be able to have a protection from predators. It's more interesting animal form than beaver, don't you agree? JOrnitho ïèøåò: since the coypus of the region would have evolved to fill a sirenian niche. protosirenian! It will have flippers instead of front legs and will remain hind legs. JOrnitho ïèøåò: It would be able to swim after the tuco-tucos if they try to escape through the water. Yes! JOrnitho ïèøåò: By the way, I don’t think that the existence of a descendant of the ocelot in Maracaibo Gulf and nearby areas would be possible. The jaguarete already exists and fills its niche, unless we consider the Awaruwape as a subspecies. Awaruwape may differ slightly, having webbed feet and flaps in its ears and nostrils for diving. It will be endemic to Maracaibo and the surrounding region. By the way, do you think we can get some unique fauna in the peninsula of South Panama and the surrounding region to the Andes?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: It's more interesting animal form than beaver, don't you agree? This is true. By feeding in the banks of the lake and the coypu feeding at the center, they could avoid the niche of each other. wovoka ïèøåò: Awaruwape may differ slightly, having webbed feet and flaps in its ears and nostrils for diving. It will be endemic to Maracaibo and the surrounding region. In this case, I think that it’s existence is possible. It could be specialized in hunting the barocavia and the capybara-like guinea pig. Maybe the Awaruwape could share the genus with Jaguarete? By the way, I'm working at the description of the animals of Maracaibo Gulf, already finished the Yara. I want to post all of them together. wovoka ïèøåò: By the way, do you think we can get some unique fauna in the peninsula of South Panama and the surrounding region to the Andes? It would be interesting. Maybe the Andes could cause the isolation of some species? What do you think of a local species of peccary?
ìåäâåäü: It will be endemic to Maracaibo and the surrounding region. Felines usually have a large distribution unless they are on an island. The only exception is the kodkod, which is endemic to the Valdivian temperate rainforests, being restricted by Andes in the east, the Chilean Matorral in the north and the Magellanic subpolar forests in the south. I do not think that a feline with a so small distribution could evolve in Maracaibo area - Venezuelan Andes are not that high.
wovoka: Then Awaruwape will be more aquatic subspesies of Jaguarete (that could swim in sea water) with such areal:
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Then Awaruwape will be more aquatic subspesies of Jaguarete (that could swim in sea water) with such areal: If you still want it to be new species, then it could be smaller like a fishing cat. However, more adapted to swim. An animal like that would be suitable to the flooded forests of Amazon. By the way, what do you think of having the ambulocetus-like descendant of the Procyon cancrivorus being the one called tapiraiaura? It would live in the Amazon, like the folklore creature and be an apex predator. It could be the one hunting barocavias.
ìåäâåäü: Then Awaruwape will be more aquatic subspesies of Jaguarete (that could swim in sea water) with such areal: This looks better! But what limits its distribution in the southeast? The edge of the Guianan shield?
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: The edge of the Guianan shield? Let it be! JOrnitho ïèøåò: It would be interesting. Maybe the Andes could cause the isolation of some species? I looked, the mammalian fauna in Southern Panama is quite unique, but there are a lot of vulnerable or already endangered species. So I made a list of mammalian species of southern Panama with LC status. There are a lot of different types of small rodents, from which we can try to make something bigger in this region. Unfortunately, a huge number of species of local monkeys are endangered, but I would like to devote a chapter about this region to monkeys. I was interested in one quote about the relationship between different types of monkeys in Panama and other animal species. This idea could be developed somehow. Interspecific interactions The Panamanian white-faced capuchin sometimes interacts with other sympatric monkey species. Panamanian white-faced capuchins sometimes travel with and even groom Geoffroy's spider monkeys. However, aggressive interactions between the capuchins and spider monkeys also occur. Interactions between the Panamanian white-faced capuchin and mantled howler are infrequent, and sometimes result in the capuchins threatening the larger howlers. However, affiliative associations between the capuchins and howlers do sometimes occur, mostly involving juveniles playing together. Although South American capuchin species often travel with and feed together with squirrel monkeys, the Panamanian white-faced capuchin only rarely associates with the Central American squirrel monkey. This appears to be related to the patchier, more dispersed distribution of food resources in Central America and the fact that there is less dietary overlap between the Central American squirrel monkey and the white-faced capuchin than between their South American counterparts. Therefore, there is less benefit to the Central American squirrel monkey in associating with the Panamanian white-faced capuchin in order to exploit the capuchin's knowledge of food resource distribution. In addition, compared to their South American counterparts, male Panamanian white-headed capuchins are relatively more alert to rival males than to predators, reducing the predator detection benefits that the Central American squirrel monkey receives from associating with the Panamanian white-faced capuchin compared to its South American counterparts. Since the squirrel monkeys generally initiate interactions with the capuchins in South America, the fact that similar associations would impose higher foraging costs and impart fewer predator detection benefits to the Central American squirrel monkey leads to fewer associations with the Panamanian white-faced capuchin. Several non-primate animal species tend to follow troops of white-faced monkeys or are otherwise attracted by their presence. white-lipped peccaries and agoutis are attracted by feeding white-faced capuchins, looking for fruit that the capuchins drop. Several species of bird are also known to follow Panamanian white-faced capuchins looking for food. These include the double-toothed kite, the white hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk. List of modern mammals of South Panama with status LC Opossums 1. Marmosa robinsoni 2. Monodelphis adusta 3. Metachirus nudicaudatus 4. Philander opossum 5. Chironectes minimus Monkeys 1. Saguinus geoffroyi 2. Cebus capucinus capucinus (this subspecies have chance to survive) 3. Cebus albifrons 3. Saimiri is vulnerable in south Panama (Saimiri sciureus or Saimiri cassiquiarensis may be can came from Columbia) 4. Aotus trivirgatus 5. Alouatta is vulnerable in south Panama (Alouatta seniculus may be can came from Columbia) 6. All species off family Atelidae are endangered may be some species of momkeys cold take there niche 7. Saguinus inustus, Leontocebus nigricollis, Leontocebus fuscicollis, Callithrix pygmaea, Sapajus apella, Cheracebus lugens, Cacajao melanocephalus, Pithecia monachus, Aotus vociferans (may be some of them can come from Southern Columbia) Rodents 1. Coendou mexicanus 2. Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris 3. Dasyprocta punctata 4. Cuniculus paca 5. Diplomys labilis 6. Hoplomys gymnurus (This is a very interesting spiny animal related to nutria. If we make it aquatic, then we can get something like an aquatic porcupine, if we make it arboreal, then we can get something like a prickly squirrel or even a prickly monkey.) 7. Proechimys semispinosus 8. Microsciurus alfari 9. Notosciurus granatensis 10. Sciurus variegatoides 11. Orthogeomys cavator 12. Heteromys australis 13. Heteromys desmarestianus 14. Nyctomys sumichrasti 15. Nyctomys sumichrasti 16. Tylomys watsoni 17. Peromyscus mexicanus saxatilis (North Panama) 18. Scotinomys teguina (North Panama) - singing rat (may be will make something like howling microwolf? ) 19. Scotinomys xerampelinus (North Panama) - singing rat 20. Ichthyomys tweedii - crab-eating rat (very rare in Panama, may be Ichthyomys hydrobates will come from Columbia or Maracaibo region) 21. Melanomys caliginosus 22. Oecomys bicolor 23. Oecomys trinitatis 24. Oligoryzomys fulvescens 25. Nephelomys albigularis 26. Handleyomys alfaroi 27. Transandinomys bolivaris 28. Oryzomys couesi - semiaquatic rodent 29. Transandinomys talamancae 30. Rheomys raptor (semiaquatic predatory rodent of North Panama) 31. Rheomys underwoodi (semiaquatic rodent of North Panama) 32. Sigmodon hirsutus 33. Sigmodontomys alfari (semiaquatic rodent) 34. Zygodontomys brevicauda Leporidae 1. Sylvilagus floridanus Soricidae 1. Cryptotis parva (North Panama) Chiroptera (we will choose only some of them: the most interesting) 1. Noctilio leporinus mastivus 2. Noctilio albiventris 3. Myotis albescens 4. Myotis keaysi pilosatibialis 5. Myotis nigricans 6. Myotis riparius 7. Eptesicus brasiliensis 8. Eptesicus furinalis 9. Eptesicus fuscus 10. Lasiurus blossevillii 11. Dasypterus ega 12. Cynomops planirostris 13. Eumops auripendulus auripendulus 14. Eumops bonariensis nanus 15. Eumops glaucinus 16. Eumops hansae 17. Molossus rufus 18. Molossus currentium 19. Molossus sinaloae 20. Nyctinomops laticaudatus 21. Promops centralis 22. Cormura brevirostris 23. Diclidurus albus 24. Peropteryx macrotis 25. Rhynchonycteris naso 26. Saccopteryx bilineata 27. Saccopteryx leptura 28. Pteronotus gymnonotus 29. Pteronotus parnellii 30. Pteronotus personatus 31. Chrotopterus auritus 32. Lampronycteris brachyotis 33. Lonchorhina aurita 34. Lophostoma brasiliense 35. Lophostoma silvicolum silvicolum 36. Macrophyllum macrophyllum 37. Micronycteris hirsuta 38. Micronycteris minuta 39. Micronycteris schmidtorum 40. Mimon crenulatum 41. Phylloderma stenops 42. Phyllostomus discolor 43. Phyllostomus hastatus 44. Tonatia saurophila 45. Trachops cirrhosus 46. Trinycteris nicefori 47. Lionycteris spurrelli 48. Lonchophylla robusta 49. Lonchophylla thomasi 50. Anoura cultrata 51. Anoura geoffroyi 52. Glossophaga commissarisi 53. Glossophaga soricina 54. Hylonycteris underwoodi 55. Lichonycteris obscura 56. Carollia brevicauda 57. Carollia castanea 58. Carollia perspicillata 59. Ametrida centurio 60. Dermanura azteca (North Panama) 61. Artibeus lituratus 62. Artibeus jamaicensis 63. Artibeus lituratus 64. Dermanura phaeotis 65. Dermanura tolteca 66. Centurio senex 67. Chiroderma salvini 68. Chiroderma trinitatum 69. Chiroderma villosum 70. Enchisthenes hartii 71. Mesophylla macconnelli 72. Sturnira lilium 73. Sturnira luisi 74. Sturnira mordax (North Panama) 75. Uroderma bilobatum 76. Uroderma magnirostrum 77. Vampyriscus nymphaea 78. Vampyrodes caraccioli 79. Platyrrhinus dorsalis 80. Platyrrhinus helleri 81. Platyrrhinus vittatus 82. Thyroptera tricolor 83. Thyroptera discifera 84. Furipterus horrens Vampires (i think we will use them) 84. Desmodus rotundus 85. Diaemus youngi Carnivora 1. Herpailurus yagouaroundi 2. Leopardus wiedii (vulnerable but may be here he will survive) 3. Leopardus pardalis 4. Canis latrans 5. Urocyon cinereoargenteus 6. Nasua narica (may be here it will bear like animal, like Melursus ursinus). 7. Potos flavus 8. Bassaricyon gabbii 9. Bassariscus sumichrasti (North Panama) 10. Procyon cancrivorus 11. Eira barbara sinuensis 12. Galictis vittata 13. Mustela frenata 14. Conepatus semistriatus Tayassuidae 1. Pecari tajacu Not mammals Predatory birds (we can use them with relationships with monkeys) Pseudastur albicollis costaricensis Harpagus bidentatus fasciatus Accipiter striatus Also it will be interesting to make a chapter about migrating along the islands and seashores of Carrebean sea and Mexican Gulf fish-eating or shrimp-eating Noctilio leporinus mastivus or Noctilio albiventris, that could be fishing sea bat, and could swim, and may be dive into the water folding it wings, like seagulls, catching small fishes and krill. swimming bat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62T-Ht_jWHE https://vladnews.ru/2012-08-03/42703/redkiy_letuchih "Japanese scientists are trying to find a rare species of bats that feed on krill in the South Kuriles. At sunset, these bats fold their wings and, like seagulls, dive into the water, catching krill. They tend to sit on fishing buoys in the sea. Scientists have discovered this kind of bats on the Japanese island Hokkaido, in their opinion, we should have the same bats. According to Japanese colleagues, this type of bats is nowhere else in the world." We have in neocene two fish eating bat species http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/2islocea.htm#pseudonoctilio_laroides_en http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/2inselva.htm#latiodon_paludiphilus_en A lot of bats migrating across the sea catching the insects in air and crustaceans in the surface waters https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/90/6/1318/898402 The ways of migrations across the sea waters of neocene sea Greater Bulldog Bat or Lesser bulldog bat (may be the last one could dive folding their wings for cathing shrimp, like the rare bats of Hokkaido)
wovoka: If you still want it to be new species, then it could be smaller like a fishing cat. However, more adapted to swim. An animal like that would be suitable to the flooded forests of Amazon. We can make this smaller like fishing cat animal, suitable to the flooded forests of Amazon, from yagouaroundi - it's swim very good. By the way, what do you think of having the ambulocetus-like descendant of the Procyon cancrivorus being the one called tapiraiaura? It would live in the Amazon, like the folklore creature and be an apex predator. It could be the one hunting barocavias. Ok! Then we will find another name to the jaguar like descendant of Geoffroy's cat in salt lake Mar Chiquita.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: I looked, the mammalian fauna in Southern Panama is quite unique, but there are a lot of vulnerable or already endangered species. So I made a list of mammalian species of southern Panama with LC status. There are a lot of different types of small rodents, from which we can try to make something bigger in this region. Don't forget that we can also have descendants of domestic animals that could have survived as feral. Can we make an interesting animal with Oligoryzomys fulvescens? I'm working at my internship with this genus at the moment. More precisely, Oligoryzomys microtis. wovoka ïèøåò: Hoplomys gymnurus (This is a very interesting spiny animal related to nutria. If we make it aquatic, then we can get something like an aquatic porcupine, if we make it arboreal, then we can get something like a prickly squirrel or even a prickly monkey.) Is there any night monkey in the region? If not, this rodent could partialy fill their niche and that of a squirrel during the night. It also could have more developed spines. wovoka ïèøåò: 18. Scotinomys teguina (North Panama) - singing rat (may be will make something like howling microwolf? ) I like it! It already is a predatory rodent, hunting insects. What do you thinnk if their descendants start to also hunt small vertebrates? Perhaps they also start to hunt in small groups. wovoka ïèøåò: Vampires (i think we will use them) 84. Desmodus rotundus 85. Diaemus youngi Maybe a giant vampire bat? With large megafauna being around, I thought that it could exist. I had this idea some time ago. What do you think of the name Camazotz, the god of death in Maia mythology. It could have a relative called Caoera. The Mura people, an indigenous people in Brazil, had legends about a a blood-eating bat the size of a vulture that was called this way. wovoka ïèøåò: Unfortunately i don't know japanese to find reliable information about the Hokkaido diving bat, but even if they couldn't dive they can do like other bats that are migrating across the sea: "catching the insects in air and crustaceans and small fishes in the surface waters". While I'm unsure about the reliability of these articles, since I didn't find any mention about it elsewhere, a bat fishing at sea is a good idea. It already exist in the Neocene, we could very well have another species with a similar lifestyle living in Caribbean waters and the Gulf of Mexico. What do you think of their main prey being a lanternfish? This species rise into the epipelagic zone during the sundown. At night it would be a perfect prey for these bats. We could have some interesting morphology with its phophores. If you want a migratory bat, this species could live in cold areas near the Atlantic sea of North America (maybe even in Mishe-Nama Lake). It could migrate to Caribbean islands and Panama. Their arrival in these regions could match the beginning of the reproductive period of this new species of lanternfish, when thay start to produce more light close to the surface. We can make this smaller like fishing cat animal, suitable to the flooded forests of Amazon, from yagouaroundi - it's swim very good. It's an interesting idea! It could live in the flooded forests, hunting in the water and resting in the the trees. During the dry season, they could visit the small streams. wovoka ïèøåò: I think it's too much for us both, let's finish with Maracaibo gulf and then continue with the rest of the chapters, if it is interesting for you Yes! I'll finish the description of the animals of this chapter. I'll have most of it done by Saturday.
wovoka: Well I have proposed two much ideas of the chapters: 1. Gulf Maracaibo. 2. General Carrera Lake. 3. Salt lake Mar Chiquita. 4. Peninsula South Panama. 5. Migrating sea bats of Caribbean sea. I think it's too much for us both, let's finish with Maracaibo gulf and then continue with the rest of the chapters, if it is interesting for you Also I have an idea of chapter about Brazilian Serrado, but it is in Russian section of forum https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-1679590219518-00000302-000-10001-0#028 https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-1679590290936-00000302-000-10001-0#033.001
ìåäâåäü: "Japanese scientists are trying to find a rare species of bats that feed on krill in the South Kuriles. At sunset, these bats fold their wings and, like seagulls, dive into the water, catching krill. They tend to sit on fishing buoys in the sea. Scientists have discovered this kind of bats on the Japanese island Hokkaido, in their opinion, we should have the same bats. According to Japanese colleagues, this type of bats is nowhere else in the world." Taking into account that they used a photo of a fruit bat, it may be not so reliable. Could you find another source? And I think that bones of the bats are too fragile for diving. We can make this smaller like fishing cat animal, suitable to the flooded forests of Amazon, from yagouaroundi - it's swim very good. https://www.deviantart.com/viergacht/art/River-Cat-or-Leon-del-Lago-118828925 I just remembered this)
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: Taking into account that they used a photo of a fruit bat, it may be not so reliable. Could you find another source? And I think that bones of the bats are too fragile for diving. https://sakh.online/news/18/2012-08-03/redkiy-vid-letuchih-myshey-nyryayuschih-v-more-izuchat-yaponskie-uchenye-na-yuzhnyh-kurilah-303358 Other source about this expedition and this very rare diving bats of Hokkaido? But there is no photos of this bat.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Can we make an interesting animal with Oligoryzomys fulvescens? Yes, of course, but what is yout suggesting? JOrnitho ïèøåò: Is there any night monkey in the region? If not, this rodent could partialy fill their niche and that of a squirrel during the night. It also could have more developed spines. wovoka ïèøåò: Aotus trivirgatus But we can differ their diet to have them differrent niche and I also want to make something like water porcupine from this rodent. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe a giant vampire bat? Yes and it can live everywere in South America were we have any megafauna species, especially barocavias and giant pacas. JOrnitho ïèøåò: we could very well have another species with a similar lifestyle living in Caribbean waters and the Gulf of Mexico. What do you think of their main prey being a lanternfish? This species rise into the epipelagic zone during the sundown. At night it would be a perfect prey for these bats. We could have some interesting morphology with its phophores. If you want a migratory bat, this species could live in cold areas near the Atlantic sea of North America (maybe even in Mishe-Nama Lake). It could migrate to Caribbean islands and Panama. Their arrival in these regions could match the beginning of the reproductive period of this new species of lanternfish, when thay start to produce more light close to the surface. I'll try to make a description of this two sea bats this or next weak and then we will discuss the details. Ok? JOrnitho ïèøåò: It's an interesting idea! It could live in the flooded forests, hunting in the water and resting in the the trees. During the dry season, they could visit the small streams. Yes that is good idea! JOrnitho ïèøåò: It already is a predatory rodent, hunting insects. What do you thinnk if their descendants start to also hunt small vertebrates? Perhaps they also start to hunt in small groups I also aggree. We will left rhem in north Panama or they will be in south Panama? Or we can take also Scotinomys xerampelinus they will live one in Peninsula North Panama and the other in Peninsula South Panama and will have some differences living in differrent continents. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Yes! I'll finish the description of the animals of this chapter. I'll have most of it done by Saturday. Well, when you will finish the descriptions let's discuss the structure of the chapter. Whom you want to make the main hero or heroes of the chapter? wovoka ïèøåò: General Carrera Lake. The future chapter let's take General Carrera Lake.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Yes, of course, but what is yout suggesting? I was thinking that it could dig, making long underground tunnels. wovoka ïèøåò: But we can differ their diet to have them differrent niche and I also want to make something like water porcupine from this rodent. They can have a more squirrel-like diet. I'll need to search about their ability of swimming, but perhaps we could have this water porcupine being a descendant of Coendou. wovoka ïèøåò: I'll try to make a description of this two sea bats this or next weak and then we will discuss the details. Ok? Ok! wovoka ïèøåò: I also aggree. We will left rhem in north Panama or they will be in south Panama? Perhaps it's a genus with close related species living in both areas? It could be a result of the separation of Panama. wovoka ïèøåò: Well, when you will finish the descriptions let's discuss the structure of the chapter. Whom you want to make the main hero or heroes of the chapter? Maybe a female yara and her first pup? We can cover in the chapter how the young learns about his environment.
wovoka: Unfortunately i don't know japanese to find reliable information about the Hokkaido diving bat, but even if they couldn't dive they can do like other bats that are migrating across the sea: "catching the insects in air and crustaceans and small fishes in the surface waters".
ìåäâåäü: even if they couldn't dive they can do like other bats that are migrating across the sea: "catching the insects in air and crustaceans and small fishes in the surface waters". This looks more realistic.
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: This looks more realistic. Ok! JOrnitho ïèøåò: I was thinking that it could dig, making long underground tunnels. I agree. JOrnitho ïèøåò: They can have a more squirrel-like diet. Yes, good idea! JOrnitho ïèøåò: I'll need to search about their ability of swimming, but perhaps we could have this water porcupine being a descendant of Coendou. Ok, it will be good if you'll find that information. But Coendou also will be good. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps it's a genus with close related species living in both areas? It could be a result of the separation of Panama. Let it be! Well, doesn't it look like a micro wolf? https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Male_Alston%27s_singing_mouse_%28Scotinomys_teguina%29_singing.ogv JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe a female yara and her first pup? We can cover in the chapter how the young learns about his environment. Good idea for the chapter! Let's review what species we decided to settle in Maracaibo Gulf and their names. May be we forgot someone? Here will be: Barocavia http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/2shadwng.htm#barocavia_potamophyla_en Caribbean algocetus http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/enmammal.htm#xenalgocetus_diodon_en Atlantic bat turtle http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/enrept.htm#pteromedusa_vespertilionina_en Maybe in Maracaibo Gulf will be nesting some smaller subspecies of this turtle? New species 1. Yara - water descendent of tayra. 2. Awaruwape - semiaquatic swimming in salt sea water jaguar-like descendent of ocelot 3. Tapiraiaura - the ambulocetus-like descendant of the Procyon cancrivorus 3. Cabiai-pyinko - peccary-like descendent of brazilian guinea pig 4. Meku - semiaquatic collective descendent of Humboldt's white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons) (Meku is Caribbean name of other capuchin monkey Cebus apella: brown capuchin, i think that neocene water monkeys will be more like brown capuchin wih the same color and form of body) 5. Karara - flightless descendent of giant darter (Anhinga) (in Carib language karara means and darter, and cormorant). 6. Karapisuru - descendent of Porphyrula martinica 7. Some descendent of the rail (I've forgotten whom you had chosen) Kotaka - descendent of Aramides cajanea: grey-necked wood-rail Akatasuwe - descendent of Rallus maculatus: spotted rail Sansaparu - descendent of Rallus longirostris: clapper rail 6. Kàwiriri - descendent of Dendrocygna autumnalis (Kàwiriri - is the name of this duck in carib language). 7. Cyculi - descendent of sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) (Cyculi - is the name of the bird in Guahibo language) or you decided not to take this bird? 8. Kusa - descendant of blue crab (Ucides cordatus) 9. Sakompo - giant sea water snake analogue of Anaconda (carib name of Boidae family) or we can call it Urupere carib mithological snake monster May be there will be one of this snakes, if you plan describing them? Kuwasakara - watersnake sp. ( it can be Pseudoeryx relictualis, Helicops scalaris, Hydrops triangularis, Liophis spp.) Akurimopi - indigosnake (Drymarchon corais) Asakaimo - rattlesnake [Crotalus durissus) Okoju (it is spelling okoyu) - Xenodon severus Turtles Arakaka - Guiana wood turtle, scorpion mud turtle, galap (Rhinoclemmys punctularia) - sometimes found in Lake Maracaibo, we can give this name arakaka to Rhinoclemmys diademata (the endemic of Maracaibo) I was looking for the name for the name Podilymbus podiceps in some indian language and I propose the name Kaarai – the name of any water bird species in Wayuu language (language of Guajiro Indians that living on the banks of Maracaibo lake) and looking for the indian bird names I'm proposing also to describe: Teitei - descendent of Vanellus chilensis (the name in wayuu language) Katipirüin - descendent of Pyrocephalus obscurus (the name in wayuu language) - it will be catching flies, mosquitoes and different parasites on the bodies of barocavias and Cabiai-pyinko. And Warulapai - big predator bird catching big fish, water snakes, little turtles, water birds and also cubs of Yaras, Algocetuses, Tapiraiaura, Meku, Cabiai-pyinko. But I don't know who will be the ancestor of this bird. Osprey is extinct in neocene. It may be Circus buffoni. Or maybe the ancestor will be some parrot. We have already fish-eating parrot Psittacohamiota longipes in neocene in Mauritius island. Unfortunately Aras extinct to neocene, they could be such predatory birds Maybe Brotogeris jugularis (now it can eating insects and algae) or Pionus menstruus (it can leave along rivers and can eat canterpillars) maybe through 25 ml years they will become bigger and become either omnivorous or predatory, or even water predatory birds. Parrot is Kotooro in wayuu language. If we make big water predatory parrot we can give him name Warulapai-Kotooro I forgot someone?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Well, doesn't it look like a micro wolf? Yes! What do you think of it hunting in groups? They could bring down lizards, frogs and other mammals this way. wovoka ïèøåò: 7. Some descendent of the rail (I've forgotten whom you had chosen) It was the clapper rail. wovoka ïèøåò: May be there will be one of this snakes, if you plan describing them? Perhaps an aquatic descendant of the rattlesnake? wovoka ïèøåò: Osprey is extinct in neocene. It may be Circus buffoni. It could be the Parabuteo unicinctus. This species is very widespread. Circus buffoni works too. wovoka ïèøåò: Parrot is Kotooro in wayuu language. If we make big water predatory parrot we can give him name Warulapai-Kotooro I like the idea of parrot feeding in the mangroves. It could eats crabs and shellfish. wovoka ïèøåò: I forgot someone? The descendant of Tachybaptus dominicus. It'll replace the sungrebe in the chapter.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of it hunting in groups? They could bring down lizards, frogs and other mammals this way. Sounds interesting!!! And of course invertebrates too. JOrnitho ïèøåò: It was the clapper rail. Then it's name will be Sansaparu JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps an aquatic descendant of the rattlesnake? Then only in the river or swamps, I think it couldn't live in salt water. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Parabuteo unicinctus It will be even better! JOrnitho ïèøåò: The descendant of Tachybaptus dominicus. It'll replace the sungrebe in the chapter. So we have two grebes in the chapter? Tachybaptus dominicus and Podilymbus podiceps May be better one of it will be sungrebe? JOrnitho ïèøåò: I like the idea of parrot feeding in the mangroves. It could eats crabs and shellfish. There is such in neocene also on Mauritius island - Carcinopsitta cancrivora. But let it be the same in Maracaibo region! So who will be the ancestor? Brotogeris jugularis or Pionus menstruus? Or you can find better contender?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: So we have two grebes in the chapter? Tachybaptus dominicus and Podilymbus podiceps I didn’t notice Podilymbus podiceps in the list. It could be the one replacing the sungrebe in the chapter. wovoka ïèøåò: So who will be the ancestor? Brotogeris jugularis or Pionus menstruus? Or you can find better contender? Both are LC in conservation, so they have chances of surviving. I would say the Pionus menstruus, only because I love its color .
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Tachybaptus dominicus So only this bird will be in the chapter? Other grebe and sungrebe will not? And as I propose it's name will be Kaarai – the name of any water bird species in Wayuu language (language of Guajiro Indians that living on the banks of Maracaibo lake) JOrnitho ïèøåò: because I love its color So do I I'll also describe Katipirüin wovoka ïèøåò: Katipirüin - descendent of Pyrocephalus obscurus (the name in wayuu language) - it will be catching flies, mosquitoes and different parasites on the bodies of barocavias and Cabiai-pyinko. Ok? What you desided, will you include in the chapter Teitei - descendent of Vanellus chilensis (the name in wayuu language)?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: So only this bird will be in the chapter? Other grebe and sungrebe will not? I was reading more about it and had the idea of the Tachybaptus dominicus living in the Catatatumbo river, while the Podilymbus podiceps would be at Maracaibo Gulf and the sea, being a more marine species. The sungrebe would not appear, perhaps in another chapter. What do you think? wovoka ïèøåò: Ok? What you desided, will you include in the chapter Teitei - descendent of Vanellus chilensis (the name in wayuu language)? Ok! We could make something interesting with the Vanellus chilensis. This species is very widespread in South America. There is even a flock of it living in the farm behind my house.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think? Ok, as you wish JOrnitho ïèøåò: Ok! We could make something interesting with the Vanellus chilensis. Thanx! JOrnitho ïèøåò: There is even a flock of it living in the farm behind my house. Wow, it's cool
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Ok, as you wish I decided to change it again and have the Podilymbus podiceps being nocturnal. It would hunt in the Maracaibo gulf during the night. This would give a nocturnal side for the chapter. What do you think that could be its name?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think that could be its name? Let it be Karala the name of some bird in wayuu language. I found the english-wayuu dictionary, there are a lot of words with meaning "bird", but unfortunately without the names of bird's species.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Let it be Karala the name of some bird in wayuu language. I found the english-wayuu dictionary, there are a lot of words with meaning "bird", but unfortunately without the names of bird's species. We could add a word that refer to night or nocturnal, since it would be part of its lifestyle.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: We could add a word that refer to night or nocturnal, since it would be part of its lifestyle. night in wayuu language is just ai So the bird could be called Ai-Karala (night bird). Or Ai-Kaarai (night water bird). But, if you remember, we give the name Kaarai to Tachybaptus dominicus. Choose the name you better like!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Choose the name you better like! I'll use ai-karala. Also, it's the description of the jurumi that I told you: Jurumi, the arboreal anteater-armadillo (Jurumi myrmophagus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. In the Neocene, anteaters (Myrmecophagidae) died out, but new animals appeared and occupied their niche. One of these animals is the jurumi, a descendent of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) that is adapted to a semi-arboreal lifestyle and to eat colonial insects. The name jurumi, means tamandua in the Guarani language. The jurumi lives in tropical and subtropical forests and woodlands of South America, from the Atlantic coast to the foothills of the Andes, including the Amazon rainforest . The jurumi has a head to body length of 47 cm and a tail with 68 cm. Jurumis have long ears and snout, but their eyes are small. This species depends on their hearing and smell to detect predators and to find food. The tongue is long and the saliva is sticky. Unlike their ancestors, the carapace of this species is reduced, being found only over the upper part of the back. The sides and lower back are exposed and covered by a short, pale grey fur. To protect themselves from predators, jurumis stand upright with their powerful forearms stretched showing their long claws. These animals can walk on all four, on the outside of the wrists to protect the claws, and upright as a biped, using the long tail to balance. The tail is semi-prehensile and is used to help climbing and also to give balance when they are in a tree. Jurumis eat ants and termites, but they can also feed on larvae of other insects, beetles, worms and occasionally eggs and carrion. These animals extract their prey by using their extremely strong fore limbs to rip open nests and their elongated snouts and long tongues to lick up the insects. This mammal is solitary and mainly nocturnal, but is occasionally active during the day. Jurumis nest in hollow tree trunks or in burrows, excavated by them using their strong forelimbs. Females are polyestrous; mating generally takes place in the dry season. The estrous cycle will last approximately about 42 days. Gestation ranges from 130 to 190 days. The female gives birth to triplets. After birth, the young remain in the burrow, living off the mother’s milk for about 4 months. They then begin to forage with the mother, eventually leaving after 1 year. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 2 years. The lifespan of this species is of 18 years.
wovoka: Thank you for description of Jurumi! So I make the bestiary for the chapter "Common Home in the Land of Giant Piramides" about the termites and ants living in one giant termite mound in symbiosis in Brazil Cerrado. There will be: 1. two species of termites: hosts (the termites building giant mound 2-4 m) and inquilines (Inquilinitermes). 2. two species of ants: one species will be warriors, protecting the termite mounds, the second species will be like aphids, they will feed the warriors with their exudate for food. And may be carebara ants - http://www.lasius.narod.ru/antRef/2004-7.htm 3. Termites and ants will grow fungi. 4. one species of wasps. 5. the nest in termit mound of Melanerpes flavifrons. 6. Jurumi - distant relative of Shell anteater (Myrmedillo destructor) - http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/2grclprd.htm#myrmedillo_destructor_en 7. giant armadillo - analogue of Glyptodont + Megatherium hybrid Tatútalymonduar (from Tupi: ta "bark, armor"; tu "dense"; taly ‘ant’; monduar ‘hunter’.) which specialized on very big termite mounds. 7. Hippotapirus terrensis http://www.sivatherium.narod.ru/mammals.htm#hippotapirus_terrensis_ru (May be I'll give it second name Kawayutapyra - horse-tapir in Tupi) 8. puma-like descendant of Leopardus braccatus - Kusariwara (in carib language) 9. descendent of Ameiva ameiva (Teiu-ombý from tupi language) 10. Mocó Pseudoargali - https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1679732190407-00000144-000-10001-0#021 but Author didn't accept it, I have to redo the description. (the name will be Moco-Awesha - rodent-sheep in tupi) 11. Pyrearinus termitilluminans - https://elementy.ru/kartinka_dnya/1076/Svetyashchiysya_termitnik also there can be bats sleeping in a termite mound https://elementy.ru/kartinka_dnya/717/Letuchie_myshi_v_termitnike Some materials I will use in chapter https://goo.su/wUbhg https://goo.su/WyUewLL https://goo.su/rGHUG But i can't find any information of local termites, ants, wasps, termitophiles, myrmecophiles.
ìåäâåäü: Interesting! You are truly an expert in insects!
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: You are truly an expert in insects! No, friend, it is you truly expert in birds, and me just an amateur.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: 8. puma-like descendant of Leopardus braccatus - Kusariwara (in carib language) This reminds me of an idea that I had for a puma-like descendant of the jaguarundi that would live in the Atlantic forests of South America. I have ideas for a chapter in this biome, more precisely happening in Rio de Janeiro. Maybe we could talk about it after finishing our other chapter ideas? The feline would be called Eyra (Genus Eyrailurus), a Tupi Guarani name for its ancestor, but that is also used for the tayra. If our ideas are conflicting with the same niche, what do you think if we merge them in only one animal for both Cerrado and Atlantic Forest? I'm leaving the description for you to give a look. Eyra (Eyrailurus pantheroides) Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of South America. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) proved to be resilient enough to survive the anthropogenic onslaught. In North America it gave origin to the balam and in South America they gave origin to the eyra. The name eyra was used by indigenous people of Brazil to name the jaguarundi, but was also associated with the tayra (Eira barbara). The eyra inhabits the Atlantic forests of South America, both lowland and highland. They also inhabit the areas of Araucaria forests. Part of their Northern range is shared with the jaguarete, but they avoid competition by taking different prey. From nose to tail tip, the male eyra is 150 cm. The female is smaller, with 130 cm of length. If compared to the jaguarete, the eyra is less muscular and not as powerfully built. The coat is uniformly colored with at most a few faint markings on the face and the belly, though kittens are spotted for a short duration. Their fur is mostly dark gray with a grizzled look due to bright and dark rings on individual hairs. The eyra is a generalist, hypercarnivore. They prefer small to medium sized prey, avoiding the large prey that are prefered by the jaguarete. When these two species interact, the eyra will flee, even abandoning their prey. They will hunt reptiles, small rodents, fishes, monkeys, birds and deermaras. Although capable of sprinting, the eyra is typically an ambush predator. It stalks through brush and trees, across ledges, or other covered spots, before delivering a powerful leap onto the back of its prey and a suffocating neck bite. They are capable of breaking the neck of some of its smaller prey with a strong bite and momentum bearing the animal to the ground. Like almost all felines, the eyra is a mostly solitary animal. Only mothers and kittens stay together, with adults meeting rarely. While generally loners, they will reciprocally share kills with one another and organize themselves into small communities defined by the territories of dominant males. The animals within these areas socialize more frequently with each other than with outsiders. Male home ranges include or overlap with those of females but not with those of other males. Home ranges of females overlap slightly. Males create scrapes composed of leaves and duff with their hind feet, and mark them with urine and sometimes feces. The eyra can reproduce during the entire year. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 18 months to three years and are in estrus for about eight days of a 23-day cycle and the gestation period is approximately 91 days. Both adult males and females may mate with multiple partners and a female's litter can have multiple paternities. Only females are involved in parenting. Litter size is between one and six cubs, with two being more common. Caves and other alcoves that offer protection are used as litter dens. Born blind, cubs are completely dependent on their mother at first, and begin to be weaned at around three months of age. As they grow, they begin to go out on forays with their mother, first visiting kill sites, and after six months beginning to hunt small prey on their own. Kitten survival rates are just over one per litter. Juveniles remain with their mothers for one to two years. When the females reaches estrous again, their offspring must disperse or the male will kill them. Males tend to disperse further than females. They have a lifespan of 16 years.
wovoka: Ok I found the great article https://sci-hub.se/10.1007/BF00380142 termites hosts building great mounds are Amitermes laurensis, their enemies meat ants Iridomyrmex sanguineus the ants defenders Camponotus but it's all in Australia I do not want to transfer the chapter to Australia , although there are all conditions for the implementation of my idea their. Ok, the termites mount builders will be some Brazilian species of Amitermes https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/taxonomy?country=BR&taxon_key=2007285 the ants like aphids with sweet exudate will be one of the Brazilian Megalomyrmex https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/map?country=BR&taxon_key=1316700 the some american Megalomyrmex ants can do it. The ants defenders will be some brazilian species of Camponotus https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/taxonomy?country=BR&taxon_key=1312361 Wasp nesting in the mound - Montezumia termitophila Bats nesting in the mound Phyllostomus hastatus and Lophostoma silvicola - nesting together. Ha, I found the article about Camponotus blandus and Pseudomyrmex termitarius (the last are farming fungi) and both are living in termite mounds in Brazil:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267510695_Evidences_of_Batesian_Mimicry_and_Parabiosis_in_Ants_of_the_Brazilian_Savanna Camponotus will be warriors, Pseudomyrmex will be fungi farmers, Megalomyrmex (what species ) will be "domestic cows" producing honeydew.
ìåäâåäü: No, friend, it is you truly expert in birds, and me just an amateur. Actually I am just a birdwatcher. I do not have any formal ornithological education. But I really read a lot about birds)
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: But I really read a lot about birds) And I'm just reading a lot about ants So some information about fungus gardens of Ants. We'll use it in the chapter https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14588 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4475879/ https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/a-more-varied-menu/ - not one but several species of fungus in one nest.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: Actually I am just a birdwatcher. I do not have any formal ornithological education. But I really read a lot about birds) I'm a birdwatcher too! I'm a biologist and started working with birds during my graduation, but after the pandemic changed to mammalogy. My area of study at the moment is taxonomy of Oryzomyini rodents, hoping to apply for a Master degree next year.
wovoka: https://www.scielo.br/j/bjb/a/cB9GbgRcSD5xF93G7jgBvWb/?lang=en One more article about ants and termites coexisting in Murundus (big termite mounds), in some murundus can live 14 species (fourteen) of termites and minimum 3 species of ants.
JOrnitho: wovoka, very good species! I finished some species of Maracaibo gulf, the rest will come later. Can you make the description of the reptiles? Karara (Amplianhinga portentosa) Order:Suliformes Family:Anhingidae Habitat: Northern South America and Caribbean Islands, brackish regions and coastal areas Many species had perished during the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but there were many that survived. Among the survivors was the anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), also known as the American darter. This species continued to evolve, giving rise to some descendants. Among them was the Karara, a large water bird that inhabits coastal areas and regions with brackish water of Northeastern South America and Caribbean Islands. In the Carib language, karara means darter and cormorant. The Karara is a large water bird, with a body length ranging from 95 to 105 cm. Their wingspan is 120 cm, but they are very reluctant to fly. This is a result of their reduced sternum and wing chord. Their weight, which ranges from 4 to 7 Kg, also contributes to its weak flying ability. Besides their large size and limited flying ability, the Karara is very similar to its ancestor. The bill is long, having twice the length of the head, sharply pointed, and yellow, and their large webbed feet are yellow as well. The male is a glossy black-blue with the wings, base of wings, and tail a glossy green. The tip of the tail is white. The back of the head and the neck have elongated feathers that are glossy black-purple. The upper back of the body and wings are spotted or streaked with white. The female anhinga is similar to the male except that it has a reddish brown head, neck, and upper chest. The lower chest or breast is a chestnut color, and the back is pale gray. This species feeds on fishes, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, insects, water snakes and small turtles. They stalk fish underwater, mainly where there is some flora present. Once they locate their prey, they partly open their bill and stab the fish swiftly. For larger fish, they use both their jaws and use the lower jaw on small fish. If the fish is too large to forage, the anhinga stabs it repeatedly and then lets it go. The karara bring their capture to the surface of the water, toss it backwards and engulf it head-first. Like their ancestors, these birds lack uropygial glands, this way their feathers aren’t waterproof. Their feathers get soaked upon immersion in water. Therefore, they cannot stay floating on water for long periods of time. Their dense bones, wetted plumage and neutral buoyancy in water, allows them to fully submerge and search for underwater prey. Kararas stand with wings spread and feathers fanned open in a semicircular shape, facing away from the sun, to dry its feathers and absorb heat. Anhingas lose body heat relatively fast and their posture helps them absorb solar radiation from the sun to counter this. Kararas are monogamous birds and breeds in colonies. Breeding occurs in coastal areas as well as near river deltas. They build stick nests on cliff edges, or on the ground on suitable islands. Up to five chalky, bluish-white eggs are laid. Most pairs lay three eggs, but the mean number hatched is less than two. The eggs soon become nest-stained. Both sexes incubate for about 37 days, and both parents feed the young until around the 15th week. By week 16, they are independent. One brood is raised per year. The karara reaches sexual maturity within 3 years and has a lifespan of 27 years. Karapisuru, or helmeted gallinule (Porphyrio galeatus) Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae Habitat: Tropical South America, shallow margins of lakes, rivers, coastal lagoons and marshes' shorelines. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) was one of these survivors, having among its descendants the Karapisuru, the helmeted gallinule. This species inhabits most of Tropical South America, living in shallow margins of lakes, rivers, coastal lagoons and marshes' shorelines. In the Carib language, karapisuru means purple gallinule. The karapisuru is a medium-sized rail, measuring 28–39 cm in length, spanning 53–66 cm across the wings and weighing 143–307 g. The males are slightly heavier than the females. The main characteristic of this species is a prominent, bony, bright red casque, which is present only in the males. An adult karapisuru has purple-turquoise plumage that will become vivid when in good lighting. Adults also have red bills that are connected to their casque. Immature are a brown-bronze color, with purple feathers on the chest, and the bill is pale in color. Young males only develop a casque when they reach sexual maturity. They have long toes that help them walk onto floating vegetation, by distributing their weight across a large surface area. Like their ancestors, these birds also have an anisodactyl toe arrangement that also helps them to cling to plant stems. Adults have bright yellow legs and feet, immatures have brown-yellowish legs and feet, and juveniles have brown legs and feet. When they fly, their legs hang down. They usually fly short distances. They are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter within their diet. Some of the foods they consume are seeds, leaves and fruits of both aquatic and terrestrial plants, insects, insect larvae, spiders, other invertebrates, frogs, snails, earthworms, and fish. They can also prey upon the eggs and young of other bird species. Karapisurus are mostly monogamous, but there are cases of three birds staying together. In these circumstances, it has the presence of one male and two females, usually one is younger than the other. This species has an elaborate courtship ritual. Both sexes perform the principal display. The display entails the bird standing in a slightly bent forward position, with the neck outstretched. The wings are held at an almost right angle to the body and bent at the wrist, so that the primaries are angled down. Following the principal display, one or both of the birds will strut and cut across the path of the other with half-lowered wings. In the case of the male, it will make a deep bow as he approaches the female. Pairs nest in a large pad of interwoven reed flags, on a mass of floating debris or amongst matted reeds slightly above water level in swamps, clumps of rushes in paddocks or long unkempt grass. Each bird can lay 3–6 speckled eggs, pale yellowish stone to reddish buff, blotched and spotted with reddish brown. The incubation period is 23–27 days, and is performed by both sexes. The precocious chicks are able to leave the nest soon after hatching, but will often remain near the nest for a few days. Young chicks are fed by their parents for between 10–14 days, after which they begin to feed themselves. Sexual maturity is reached with two years and they have a lifespan of 9 years. Sansaparu (Rallus solitarius) Order:Gruiformes Family:Rallidae Habitat:Mangroves and coastal areas of Northern and Northeastern South America. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The clapper rail (Rallus crepitans) was capable of surviving the anthropogenic onslaught and leaving descendants, among them is the sansaparu. This bird inhabits the mangroves and coastal areas of Northern and Northeastern South America. In the Carib language, sansaparu means mangrove rail (Rallus longirostris). The sansaparu is a medium-sized rail, being 25–33 cm long with 48–55 cm of wingspan. Males typically weigh 120–174 g and females are slightly lighter at 102–117 g. Their plumage is grayish blue with a dark brown breast. The underparts are buff with darker bars, and the flank markings are brown and black. Males and females have similar plumage. The bill which curves slightly downwards is bright reddish-orange in males and duller in females. The legs are pale yellow. The juvenile has a blackish crown and a white throat. The underparts are buff with darker bars, and the flank markings are brown and buff, rather than black and white. The undertail is buff, and the eye, bill and leg colors are duller than the adult. The downy chick is all black apart from a mainly white bill. These birds forage near cover, mostly at low tide and during the morning and early evening. They hunt by sight, probing sand and mud, tossing aside leaf litter to expose prey, catching small fish in shallow water, and scavenging dead fish. It has a very diverse diet that includes animal prey such as crustaceans (especially crabs), molluscs, aquatic and terrestrial insects, fish, and amphibians. It also feeds on plant matter such as seeds, berries, and tubers. Sansaparu is monogamous and highly territorial when breeding. They nest during the dry season and outside this period the male and female remain separated, but sharing the same territory. The pair give courting and contact calls throughout the breeding season. The male selects the nest site which he shows to the female while posturing with raised back feathers, wings arched over his back, tail spread and bill pointed vertically downwards. This display is accompanied by a loud call. Before mating, he raises his wings and tail, and bows with his bill touching his breast. The male feeds the female during courtship, then she displays to the male, walking round him, calling softly, rubbing her bill against his and taking short runs to and from him. The nest is made from whatever wetland vegetation is available and built mostly by the male, usually in a single day. It is raised 15 cm or more above the level of the marsh, and is sometimes constructed on clumps of roots, tree stumps or similar support. It may be built up higher if the marsh waters start to rise. The nest is 13–16 cm across and about 7 cm high. It’s well hidden and approached by narrow tracks. The typical clutch is 6–11 eggs. The breeding season can be extended by replacement and second clutches. The eggs are blunt and oval, smooth and slightly glossy with reddish-brown blotches mainly at the broader, sometimes merging into a single patch. Both parents incubate the eggs, although the female takes the larger share of this duty. The eggs are incubated for 22 days to hatch. Food is brought to the nest by the other adult and passed to the sitting parent who feeds the chicks. The precocial, downy young leave the nest within two days of hatching but continue to be fed by their parents, although the chicks also find some of their own food after about five days. They are independent of their parents after 30 days and can fly when aged 8 weeks. If a nest appears to have been discovered, the female may carry the chicks or eggs one by one to another location. The eggs are carried in the bill, but small chicks may be tucked under the wing. Sitting birds may stay on the eggs even when approached closely, attack the intruder, or feign injury as a distraction. The sansaparu can breed after its first year, and it normally raises two broods. The average lifespan of this bird is 8 years. Kaarai (Pelagotachybaptus kaarai) Order:Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Habitat: Coastal regions of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and the regions around the Gulf of Mexico, foraging in salt water The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The least grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) was capable of surviving the transition of the Holocene and Neocene. The kaarai is its descendant, an inhabitant of the coastal regions of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and the regions around the Gulf of Mexico, foraging in salt water. In the Wayuu language, kaarai is a word used to name any water bird. The kaarai have 27 to 36 cm of length, with a wingspan ranging from 70 to 85 cm. Both male and female have the same color of plumage. The breeding adult is black above with a light gray crown and throat. It has a white chest and underparts. It shows a brownish wing patch in flight. Non-breeding birds are paler with a whitish throat, and immatures are paler and greyer than adults. The eyes are yellow and legs are light gray. Like all grebes, its legs are set far back on its body and it cannot walk well, though it is an excellent swimmer and diver. Their dark gray beak has a small knob, which stores the gland responsible for removing the salt from the water. This species eats a variety of aquatic life, including small fish, crustaceans and small molluscs. Like all grebes, it pursues much of its prey under water. During active feeding bouts, it spends an average of 17 seconds beneath the surface on each dive, with surface pauses ranging from 7 to 28 seconds. They forage in areas close to the coast, rarely venturing at open sea. The kaarai is monogamous and gregarious when not breeding. It’s common to see flocks of these birds resting together while floating at the surface. They breed throughout the year, with preference for the rainy season. Each pair builds a compact nest of vegetation—typically a variety of aquatic weeds— in crevices in rocky cliffs near the sea and inside hollowed mangrove trees. The female lays three to six white eggs, though the damp nest material soon stains them with brown. Both adults incubate the eggs, which hatch after 21 days. After hatching, the young follow their parents down the cliffs. Their small size, feathery down, and very light weight helps protect them from the fall. The young do not swim well and stay on their parents' backs. Within four weeks they start swimming. When alerted they will climb on the back of a parent, after six weeks they are mature enough to dive under the water like their parents. Both parents share the role of raising the young – both feeding and carrying them on their backs. Sometimes the parents will dive underwater to get food with the chicks on their backs. The young become independent within three months and sexual maturity is reached after two years. Kaarai have a lifespan of 12 years. Yara (Yara cancrivora) Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Brackish and coastal areas of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and Gulf of Mexico. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, occupying niches completely new. The populations of tayra (Eira barbara) inhabiting the surrounding areas of Lake Maracaibo and the Gulf of Venezuela had gave rise to an aquatic species. This animal is the yara, which shares its name with a siren of the Amazonian folklore and in Tupi it means "the one that lives in the waters". The yaras are medium-sized aquatic mammals that inhabit brackish and coastal areas of the Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and the surrounding regions of the Gulf of Mexico. The males have 150 cm, while the females have 120 cm. The yaras have an elongated body, with a fin layer of fat, which helps the animal to float. Like seals, their paws are modified into flippers, with their hind flippers being bound to the pelvis in such a way that they cannot bring them under their bodies to walk on them.When compared to the body, the animal's foreflippers are relatively short with a slong claw and the hindflippers are slender. Small claws are present at the foreflippers, with a large one present at the forth digit. In the males, these claws have 25 cm of length, while in the females they barely surpass 15 cm. The fur is short and dark brown in the upperparts, with a cream underside. The pups are born with light brown fur and a white underside. They swim by sideways movements of their bodies, using their hind flippers to fullest effect. Because they cannot turn their hind flippers downward, they are very clumsy on land, having to wriggle with their front flippers and abdominal muscles. The yara have a vestigial tail, with only 8 cm. The head is rounded with an extended broad muzzle. The face has relatively large wide-spaced eyes, upward opening nostrils, and long light-colored and smooth whiskers. Unlike true seals, their ears are present, but very reduced. These mammals feed mostly on benthic animals, such as crustaceans and molluscs. They have strong and thick masseter muscles that help them crush exoskeletons and shells. Yaras can remain underwater for at least one hour. Most of their foraging happens at coastal areas during the day, with them being reluctant to hunt at open sea. They can also feed on fish and sea urchins, biting through the underside where the spines are shortest, and licks the soft contents out of the urchin's shell. The yaras will also follow Caribbean algocetus, taking the opportunity to catch benthic animals disturbed by these large herbivores when they are feeding. Male yaras are solitary and nomadic, constantly moving in search of food. When two males meet, they fight fiercely against each other, delivering bites and slaps with their foreflippers. These slaps can result in deep slashes from their long claws. On the other hand, the females form small colonies of close related individuals, usually an older female, her daughters and their cubs. Such groups can have from ten to twenty individuals. Males will visit the groups during the mating season, which starts in late spring and early summer. The female gives birth to only one pup after a gestation of 9 months. The family groups gather in sandbanks and protected beaches where the females give birth. The pups are born with fur, but their eyes and ears are closed. After three weeks they open and they start to interact with the other pups of the group. Within one month, the young follow the mother to learn how to forage at the sea, but they continue suckling. During this period, mothers can be seen floating in calm lagoons during the evening while their pups rest over them. They are totally weaned within 6 months and independent with 8. At this time the males are expelled from the group, while the females remain with their mothers. Females reach sexual maturity with 4 years, while males reach it with 5 years. Yaras have a lifespan of 35 years, but predators take some individuals during an early age. Among their main predators are the sharks.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: My area of study at the moment is taxonomy of Oryzomyini rodents, hoping to apply for a Master degree next year. Wish you good luck to apply for a Master degree. Your rodent we will use in one of the chapters. I'll read your descriptions tomorrow. I'm not very good in reptiles, but I'll look what can I do. I've just finished the description of one bird for Maracaibo, but in Russian. https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1679788836424-00000181-000-140-0#049
JOrnitho: Finished the description of two more species: Meku, or Swimming capuchin (Cebus natatorius) Order: Primates Family: Cebidae Habitat: Northern South America, mangroves and swamps The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve. Among the survivors is the white-fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons). In the Neocene, this species gave rise to the Meku. This word is a Caribbean name of another capuchin monkey, the brown capuchin (Cebus apella). While they have the appearance of any capuchin monkey, the Meku is capable of swimming very well. It’s a result of the presence of webbing on the toes of their hindlimbs. Such a characteristic helps them move and forage in its habitat, the mangrove and swamps of Northern South America. The Meku is a robust and powerfully built capuchin monkey, with rough fur and a long, thick tail. The fur is brownish gray, with the belly being lighter than the rest of the body. They have yellowish brown hands and feet. The front is cream colored. Their face is pink and they have a black wedge-shaped cap which is clearly separated from the lighter forehead. This primate has a head-body length of 33 to 60 cm, a prehensile tail with 39 to 62 cm. Their weight ranges from 1.9 to 4.8 kilograms, with the males generally being larger and heavier than the females. However, their more singular characteristic is the webbing of their hindlimbs. The diet is varied, including fruits, insects, insect larvae, other invertebrates, reptiles such as lizards, birds, bird eggs, small mammals, flowers, nectar, honey, leaves, nuts, palms, stems, seeds and tree frogs. Meku’s swimming abilities aren’t only used to cross water ways, these monkeys will also dive in the water to collect molluscs and crustaceans from the water. After doing it, they will hit these invertebrates against rocks and tree trunks until their shells or exoskeleton are broken. They’ll also jump on the back of barocavias to remove parasites from their fur. The Meku is a diurnal, arboreal primate species, but it often forages on the ground to search for food during the low tide. It’ll also jump off branches and descend into water. It lives in groups of 10 to 25 or more animals. A single group usually contains at least one adult male, but mixed groups with multiple males do also occur. In that case, one of the males is dominant. He accepts only a few monkeys in his direct surroundings, mainly younger animals and a few females. The dominant male and the group members that are close to him have the privilege to eat first in case of food scarcity, while subordinate monkeys have to wait until they are ready. Males are apt to kill the offspring of competing males, especially during power struggles. After a gestation period of 180 days, one young is born, or incidentally a twin. This young is carried on the back of its mother. The mother feeds her child for 9 months, but the young are sexually immature until the seventh year. While the young males are forced out of the group within 3 years, the females are philopatric. Although the rare female can be observed leaving her natal group, dispersal is largely a male phenomenon. When females do leave, they do so gradually, retreating first to the group’s periphery before breaking away entirely. While the Meku have a lifespan of 19 years, they can die early by predation or accidents when jumping from a branch to another. Among its predators are birds of prey in the trees and tapiraiauaras in the water. Tapiraiauara (Nectoprocyon gigas) Order: Carnivora Family: Nectoprocyonidae Habitat: coastal areas and large rivers of Northern South America, from Maracaibo Gulf to the Amazon River. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. Among those that suffered were the Crocodilians. These animals could have survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event, but the Anthropogenic onslaught had left a great damage on their diversity, with few species surviving. In the Neocene, the niches left by them were filled by animals of different groups. Among these new species is the Tapiraiauara, a large descendant of the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) that became semi-aquatic. This animal shares its name with a large aquatic and predatory creature of Amazonian folklore. Inhabiting coastal areas and large rivers of Northern South America, from Maracaibo Gulf to the Amazon River, this animal is part of the Family Nectoprocyonidae. Its members are all semi-aquatic mammals and the Tapiraiaura is its largest representative. Males can reach 200 cm of length, while females rarely surpass 180 cm. Their fur is very short, being dark brown in the upperparts and upper side of the tail, while the underpants and underside of the tail are light buff. This species also has faint dark markings around its eyes, a reminiscence of their ancestor. The mammal with the anatomy that is the most similar to that of this animal is the extinct Ambulocetus. Like this archaeocete, the Tapiraiauara have a narrow, streamlined body, and a long, broad snout, with eyes positioned at the very top of its head. Their teeth are robust and are earless, with the entrance of the ear channel visible. This species have a powerful masseter muscle. Their feet are webbed and the tail is long and strong. It swims by tucking in its forelimbs while alternating its hind limbs for propulsion, as well as moving the torso and tail laterally. On land, it walks like a sea lion. Like crocodiles, the Tapiraiauara is an ambush predator. It waits near the water's surface to ambush large animals, using its powerful jaws to clamp onto and drown or thrash prey. Mammals like young barocavias and cabiai-pyinko are among its favorite prey. However, when large terrestrial prey are few, they’ll hunt fish and aquatic birds. Turtles are also consumed, with their shells being crushed by its jaws. Tapiraiauara are solitary and a male can mate with several females. Inside the territory of a male, at least four females can live. They are very territorial, becoming even more during the mating season. During this period, males have brutal fights with one trespasser on the other’s territory. Females have a 12-month reproductive cycle, consisting of a 9-month actual gestation and a 3-month delayed implantation of the fertilized egg before giving birth during spring. They give birth to only one kit in a secluded area among the vegetation near water. The young are born with fur and open eyes, but the ears are partially closed. Within two weeks, they opened completely. After four weeks, they follow their mother in the water. They are weaned after 6 months, but remain in the mother’s territory for another month. Sexual maturity is reached within 3 years and they have a lifespan of 25 years. In the Atlantic mangroves and coastal areas of Central America and Mexico, the lesser Nectoprocyon lives (Nectoprocyon minor). This species has a similar fur color to that of the Tapiraiauara, but is smaller and the underparts are paler. The males have 180 cm of length, while females have 140 cm.
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animal!
wovoka: JOrnitho, very good descriptions!!! Wright, please, that karapisuru means purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) in carib language , sansaparu means mangrove rail (Rallus longirostris) in carib language. Could you read my description of Katipirüin https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1679788836424-00000181-000-140-0#049 ??? Or I need to translate it English? And about Meku, they can ride barocavias looking for parasites on theirs bodies: And we are waiting for the critical comments of Ìåäâåäü, he always has a lot of good suggestions for improving the descriptions. Ìåäâåäü made an assumption that Serpophaga birds could become more semiaquatical. I propose for General Carrera lake make two species: one like Cinclus birds and it's descendant like mini penguin. What do you think? It may be descendants of Serpophaga nigricans.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Wright, please, that karapisuru means purple gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) in carib language , sansaparu means mangrove rail (Rallus longirostris) in carib language. I'll do it! wovoka ïèøåò: Could you read my description of Katipirüin https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1679788836424-00000181-000-140-0#049 ??? Or I need to translate it English? I used the translator of my Internet navigator. It’s a very good description. wovoka ïèøåò: And about Meku, they can ride barocavias looking for parasites on theirs bodies: Good idea! I'll add it in its description. wovoka ïèøåò: Ìåäâåäü made an assumption that Serpophaga birds could become more semiaquatical. I propose for General Carrera lake make two species: one like Cinclus birds and it's descendant like mini penguin. What do you think? It may be descendants of Serpophaga nigricans. Rather than it being like a mini penguin, maybe it could be like a tiny auk. They could use their wings like the alcids do.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: tiny auk Ok and if we do such a mini penguin in Fagnano Lake in Big Island of the Land of Fire? The semiaquatic descendants of Serpophaga nigricans could migrate there. I think it's a very cool idea!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Ok and if we do such a mini penguin in Fagnano Lake in Big Island of the Land of Fire? The semiaquatic descendants of Serpophaga nigricans could migrate there. I think it's a very cool idea! I like it! They could migrate to the coastal lagoons of South America during the winter.
wovoka: Some day we will also make bestiary of Fagnano Lake And tomorrow I want to began making bestiary for the chapter about microwolfs. I think that for you as rodentologist it will be the most interesting. But let think: it will be in Peninsula South Panama; Peninsula North Panama; or may be in Nicaragua (it may be: the shores of Lake Nicaragua; North central highlands (subtropical highlands); Caribbean lowlands (large rainforest region)? What do yo prefer? Chosing the territory, we choose the climate, flora and fauna, lifestyle and nutrition of animals, etc.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But let think: it will be in Peninsula South Panama; Peninsula North Panama; or may be in Nicaragua (it may be: the shores of Lake Nicaragua; North central highlands (subtropical highlands); Caribbean lowlands (large rainforest region)? What do yo prefer? Chosing the territory, we choose the climate, flora and fauna, lifestyle and nutrition of animals, etc. I would like to make it in North Panama. What do you think of a large tapir living there? It could be a relative of tapirotherium, but more simialr to the extinct astrapotheriids.
ìåäâåäü: And we are waiting for the critical comments of Ìåäâåäü, he always has a lot of good suggestions for improving the descriptions. I have read that crocodilians may have lost their ancestral ectothermy as an adaptation for ambush hunting, which includes the possibility of being without food for a long time. I do not know how Ambulocetus avoided these problems, but I think we sholuld think more... Maybe in will also eat a lot of fish, as modern crocodilians often do.
JOrnitho: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I have read that crocodilians may have lost their ancestral ectothermy as an adaptation for ambush hunting, which includes the possibility of being without food for a long time. I do not know how Ambulocetus avoided these problems, but I think we sholuld think more... Maybe in will also eat a lot of fish, as modern crocodilians often do. Maybe the Tapiraiauara could be an opportunist ambush hunter, not being totally dependent of it by hunting fishes and other aquatic animals. If we make its jaw more stronger to crush, it could even hunt turtles.
wovoka: But why not combine the opportunity to eat fish, aquatic animals and "chew" turtles "together with the shell" (the last phrase is the joke, as you understand).
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But why not combine the opportunity to eat fish, aquatic animals and "chew" turtles "together with the shell" (the last phrase is the joke, as you understand). I'll edit the Tapiraiauara's profile with this new characteristics. What do you think of the astrapotheriid-like tapir?
ìåäâåäü: I'll edit the Tapiraiauara's profile with this new characteristics. Now it is much better!
JOrnitho: More two descriptions for Maracaibo gulf: Ai-Karala (Podilymbus noctivagus) Order:Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae Habitat: Tropical South America, from freshwater reservoirs to brackish areas. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) was one of these survivors. It gave rise to the Ai-Karala, an inhabitant of freshwater reservoirs and brackish areas of Tropical South America. In the Wayuu language, ai means night and karala is used to name water birds. The Ai-Karala are small, stocky, and short-necked. They are 32–40 cm in length, with a wingspan of 55–72 cm and weigh 260–580 g. They are dark brown, with a brown crown and back. Their color serves as camouflage in the vegetation of the areas thag they live in. Their undertail is white and they have a short, blunt chicken-like bill that is bright yellow in color, which during the nesting season is encircled by a broad black band. There is no sexual dimorphism. Juveniles have black and white stripes and look more like adults outside nesting season. Like their ancestors, they don't have webbed feet. Its toes have lobes that come out of the side of each toe. These lobes allow for easy paddling. When flying, the feet appear behind the body due to the feet's placement in the far back of the body. Because of the feet placement, they are not able to walk on land. Being a nocturnal species, the Ai-Karala have large eyes with tapetum lucidum covering it. These birds rarely fly, preferring to make a slow dive frequently, especially when in danger. They dive for about 30 seconds and may move to a more secluded area of the water, allowing only the head to be visible to watch the danger dissipate This species feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates, and also on small fish and amphibians. They dive to obtain food. Their bills allow them to crush crustaceans, like crawfish. They may also eat plants. They have been shown to eat their own feathers, like other grebes, to aid in digestion and prevent injury from small bones. They'll also feed their feathers to their young. They forage during the night and rest among the reeds and riverine vegetation during the day. The Ai-Karala is monogamous and lives in pairs even when not breeding. These birds can breed two times per year, with the female laying three to ten bluish white smooth elliptical eggs. The nest is a floating platform built hidden among the aquatic vegetation. They are incubated for around 23 days by both parents, with the female taking over incubation duties towards the end of that time period. They will cover the nest with nesting material if they have to leave it for an extended period of time. Young grebes may leave the nest within one day of hatching. They are downy at birth. Yellow skin is seen between the lore and top of the head. They do not swim well and stay out of the water. They sleep on their parents' backs. Within four weeks they start swimming. When alerted they will climb on the back of one of the parents and eventually mature to dive under the water like their parents. Both parents share the role of raising the young – both feeding and carrying them on their backs. Sometimes the parents will dive underwater to get food with the chicks on their backs. The young become independent within 3 months, but sexual maturity is only reached within 13 months. Ai-Karala have a lifespan of 14 years. Cabiai-pyinko, hog-nosed giant cavy (Caviscrofa palustris) Order: Rodentia Family: Caviidae Habitat: Northern South America, marshlands and forests. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continued to evolve. The Brazilian guinea pig (Cavia aparea) was able to survive and in the Neocene it gave rise to the cabiai-pyinko. This name is formed by two words of Caribbean language: cabiai - cavy and pyinko - white-lipped peccary. It inhabits Northern South America, marshlands and forests. The cabiai-pyinko grow to 106 to 134 cm in length, stand 50 to 62 cm tall at the shoulders, and typically weigh 35 to 66 kg. The dorsal fur is dark olive-brown mixed with brown and black, and the underparts are yellowish-gray. They have a characteristic prolonged nose into a distinct "snout", naked on the top and sides and evidently used for rooting in the ground. Their eyes and ears are near the top of their heads, such characteristic helps and partially webbed feet help these animals spend part of their lives in the water. When in danger, they'll swim to escape. This species is a herbivore and feeds on grasses, roots, tubers and other herbs. It is diurnal, mainly emerging in the early morning to forage and again in the evening. It uses their pig-like snout to remove the ground in search of roots and tubers. Living close to water, the cabiai-pyinko also eat water plants. The cabiai-pyinko is gregarious. While they sometimes live solitarily, they are more commonly found in groups of around 10–20 individuals, with two to four adult males, four to seven adult females, and the remainder juveniles. When in estrus, the female's scent changes subtly and nearby males begin pursuit. In addition, a female alerts males she is in estrus by by barking like a dog. During mating, the female has the advantage and mating choice. Dominant males are highly protective of the females, but they usually cannot prevent some of the subordinates from copulating. The larger the group, the harder it is for the male to watch all the females. Dominant males secure significantly more matings than each subordinate, but subordinate males, as a class, are responsible for more matings than each dominant male. Their gestation is 100 days, and produces a litter of four young on average, but may produce between one and eight in a single litter. Birth is on a den made of dried grasses and the female rejoins the group within a few hours of delivering the newborn, which join the group as soon as they are mobile. Within a week, the young can eat grass, but continue to suckle until weaned around 16 weeks. The young form a group within the main group. Sexual maturity is reached with 9 months and this species have a lifespan of 15 years.
ëÿãóøêà: Good and realistic animals!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animals!
wovoka: Very good animals! So I'm waiting for Awaruwape, Warulapai, Kotooro, Kàwiriri, Teitei, Cyculi (???), Kusa. And i should describe Arakaka, Sakompo, Asakaimo. May be Tarekaja - the smaller subspecies of Atlantic bat turtle JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of the astrapotheriid-like tapir? May be it will live in the region of North Columbia were a lot of swamps-lakes (cienagas) along the banks of River Magdalena: from Ciénaga Grande De Santa Marta to Cienaga De Ayapel, especially such great as Cienaga Candelaria Rincon Avisperos, Cienaga Mogua, Cienega Grande and others. [url=https://www.google.com/maps/@9.1785362,-74.8349482,8z]https://www.google.com/maps/@9.1785362,-74.8349482,8z[/url]
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Arakaka What do you think of it being a large (150-200 cm) river turtle? I had this idea after reading about the Stupendemys in the Pebas Mega-Wetlands. wovoka ïèøåò: May be it will live in the region of North Columbia were a lot of swamps-lakes (cienagas) along the banks of River Magdalena: from Ciénaga Grande De Santa Marta to Cienaga De Ayapel, especially such great as Cienaga Candelaria Rincon Avisperos, Cienaga Mogua, Cienega Grande and others. Yes. I was also thinking that it could have some species inhabiting Central America and perhaps Mexico
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Warulapai, Kotooro, Teitei Who are the ancestors of these two?
ìåäâåäü: May be it will live in the region of North Columbia Animals of this size do not usually have distributions that small.
wovoka: Teitei - descendant of Vanellus chilensis (the name of this bird in wayuu language) Warulapai - big predator bird catching big fish, water snakes, little turtles, water birds and also cubs of Yaras, Algocetuses, Tapiraiaura, Meku, Cabiai-pyinko. Will be descendant of Parabuteo unicinctus (Warulapai - means big predator bird in wayuu language). Kotooro - will be descendant of Pionus menstruus eating crabs and shellfish in the mangroves (Kotooro - means parrot in wayuu language). JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of it being a large (150-200 cm) river turtle? I had this idea after reading about the Stupendemys in the Pebas Mega-Wetlands. Then it better settle it in Amazonia region, or at least at Miranda river and it's cienagas. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: Animals of this size do not usually have distributions that small. Then let it lives all over the north South America from Columbia to French Guiana and all Amazonia Region (rivers, lakes, swamps, wet savannas and mangrove forests). JOrnitho ïèøåò: I was also thinking that it could have some species inhabiting Central America and perhaps Mexico I think let tapirs stay only in South America. Especially since the Tapirus bairdii is an endangered species. Ìåäâåäü, what do you think? So I'm making bestiary for chapter about microwolfs. 1. Scotinomys teguina - singing rats - our main heroes: howling microwolfs. 2. Scotinomys xerampelinus - there main rivals - they are bigger and more agressive, but they have smaller microwolf packs (they will be like Canis lupus occidentalis in the world of microwolfs). 3. Nephelomys albigularis - this rodent is omnivorous and can be like a microbear 4. Rheomys raptor - semiaqutical predatory rodent Main predators that can hunt on microwolfs: 5.Mustela frenata 6.Falco rufigularis 7.Glaucidium griseiceps 8.Spilotes pullatus (tiger rat snake) - Tiger rat snakes are solitary quite aggressive snakes that spend most of their life in trees; however, they can hunt in mangrove forest, tropical and subtropical dry broad-leaved forests, wet tropical forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrubs. They are also very good swimmers. Tiger rat snakes are diurnal creatures that hunt by day actively searching for their prey: amphibians, small mammals and birds. This is an egg-laying snake. The female lays 15-25 eggs. Big prey of microwolfs: 9.Sylvilagus brasiliensis 10.Orthogeomys cavator 11.Marmosa mexicana (they can live not only on trees, but also in holes on the ground) 12. Colinus cristatus Main prey of microwolves: 13.Zygodontomys brevicauda - will be "herd" animal 14.Transandinomys talamancae - will be "herd" animal 15.Peromyscus mexicanus - will be "herd" animal 16.Reithrodontomys sumichrasti 17.Reithrodontomys mexicanus 18.Reithrodontomys creper 19.Handleyomys alfaroi 20.Transandinomys bolivaris 21.Sigmodon hirsutus 22.Heteromys desmarestianus - may become more spiny periodical prey 23.Microsciurus alfari subsp. browni (can be preyed in the periods when is looking for food on the land) 24.Oryzomys couesi - semiaquatical and omnivorous, it will be interesting hunting on it in shores and water 25.Cryptotis nigrescens Other prey Lizards 26.Lepidodactylus lugubris Frogs 27.Lithobates vaillanti 28.Dendropsophus ebraccatus (microwolfs will be hunting on them in period of reproduction and eat caviar) Invertebrates 29.Gecarcinus quadratus 30.Megasoma elephas 31.Stilpnochlora azteca 32.Blaberus giganteus 33.Eneoptera surinamensis 34.Euglandina gigantea - invasive species 35.Limax maximus - invasive in a lot of countries of Latin America (may live in North Panama in Neocene) We should choose whom we live in chapter, who should be thrown away. The biggest bestiary in one of the chapters: 17 species Where will the events of the chapter take place? I propose this territory: at the intersection of savanna, chaparral, evergreen forest and swamp (and mangrove forest) at the mouth of the San Pablo River. circled in red
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Teitei - descendant of Vanellus chilensis (the name of this bird in wayuu language) Warulapai - big predator bird catching big fish, water snakes, little turtles, water birds and also cubs of Yaras, Algocetuses, Tapiraiaura, Meku, Cabiai-pyinko. Will be descendant of Parabuteo unicinctus (Warulapai - means big predator bird in wayuu language). Kotooro - will be descendant of Pionus menstruus eating crabs and shellfish in the mangroves (Kotooro - means parrot in wayuu language). I'll work on these. Anything different for the teitei's description? Or will it be like its ancestor? wokova ïèøåò: I think let tapirs stay only in South America. Especially since the Tapirus bairdii is an endangered species. I thought that the descendants of Tapirus terrestris could have entered in this area after the demise of T. bairdii. After all, I see the astrapotherium-like tapir being a sister genus to tapirotherium. wovoka ïèøåò: Then it better settle it in Amazonia region, or at least at Miranda river and it's cienagas. Couldn’t it be two species? One smaller living in the Catatumbo Delta and another larger in the Amazon. wovoka ïèøåò: 1. Scotinomys teguina - singing rats - our main heroes: howling microwolfs. 2. Scotinomys xerampelinus - there main rivals - they are bigger and more agressive, but they have smaller microwolf packs (they will be like Canis lupus occidentalis in the world of microwolfs). 3. Nephelomys albigularis - this rodent is omnivorous and can be like a microbear 4. Rheomys raptor - semiaqutical predatory rodent The descendant of the Oligoryzomys fulvescens could be like a mole, or like the Blarinomys of South America. It could be a prey of the microwolves, hunted when they leave its holes. wovoka ïèøåò: Main predators that can hunt on microwolfs: 5.Mustela frenata 6.Falco rufigularis 7.Glaucidium griseiceps 8.Spilotes pullatus (tiger rat snake) - Tiger rat snakes are solitary quite aggressive snakes that spend most of their life in trees; however, they can hunt in mangrove forest, tropical and subtropical dry broad-leaved forests, wet tropical forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrubs. They are also very good swimmers. Tiger rat snakes are diurnal creatures that hunt by day actively searching for their prey: amphibians, small mammals and birds. This is an egg-laying snake. The female lays 15-25 eggs. I think that we could have these three predators. wovoka ïèøåò: Big prey of microwolfs: 9.Sylvilagus brasiliensis 10.Orthogeomys cavator 11.Marmosa mexicana (they can live not only on trees, but also in holes on the ground) 12. Colinus cristatus Maybe we could discard the Sylvilagus? It's too large for the rats to hunt. Colinus' s chicks and eggs can be the ones preyed. wovoka ïèøåò: Main prey of microwolves: 13.Zygodontomys brevicauda - will be "herd" animal 14.Transandinomys talamancae - will be "herd" animal 15.Peromyscus mexicanus - will be "herd" animal 16.Reithrodontomys sumichrasti 17.Reithrodontomys mexicanus 18.Reithrodontomys creper 19.Handleyomys alfaroi 20.Transandinomys bolivaris 21.Sigmodon hirsutus 22.Heteromys desmarestianus - may become more spiny If we replace the Sylvilagus, maybe we could have one of these "herd" rodents being like a tiny rabbit? wovoka ïèøåò: Where will the events of the chapter take place? I propose this territory: at the intersection of savanna, chaparral, evergreen forest and swamp at the mouth of the San Pablo River. I like it! The presence of the swamp allow us to explore the semi-aquatic animals in the chapter.
ìåäâåäü: Then let it lives all over the north South America from Columbia to French Guiana and all Amazonia Region (rivers, lakes, swamps, wet savannas and mangrove forests) Now it is better! Dendropsophus ebraccatus (microwolfs will be hunting on them in period of reproduction and eat caviar) I am not sure that amphibian eggs can be called caviar) I think let tapirs stay only in South America. Especially since the Tapirus bairdii is an endangered species. Ìåäâåäü, what do you think? I agree.
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I am not sure that amphibian eggs can be called caviar) Yes, you are wright, it's called frogspawn.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I thought that the descendants of Tapirus terrestris could have entered in this area after the demise of T. bairdii. After all, I see the astrapotherium-like tapir being a sister genus to tapirotherium. All the niches of tapirs in North America are occupied by pecarrys. So if you want you can make astrapotherium-like pecarry in Mexico or in Central America.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: All the niches of tapirs in North America are occupied by pecarrys. So if you want you can make astrapotherium-like pecarry in Mexico or in Central America. Since North Panama is North America, them we can have these astepotherium-like animals being pecarries. This way they can appear in the chapter, perhaps as showing how their passage impacts the world of the microwolf.
wovoka: I make a mistake.The north Panama it is north America. That's why I propose move the bestiary of the chapter about microwolves and its discussion to the section of North America.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Anything different for the teitei's description? Or will it be like its ancestor? it is better to make some differences, otherwise why put it in the chapter about evolution at all.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: it is better to make some differences, otherwise why put it in the chapter about evolution at all. What do you think of them having some elaborate courtship? The males could have some special plumage for it.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think of them having some elaborate courtship? The males could have some special plumage for it. It's a good idea! And what do you think if we make it more swamp bird?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: And what do you think if we make it more swamp bird? Yes! They could be like the Pharalopes, swimming to forage when necessary.
JOrnitho: I concluded other descriptions. Now I only need to finish the Teitei and Awaruwape. Warulapai (Titanobuteo mirus) Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Habitat: Tropical rainforests of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands, Central America and Southern Mexico. Vagrants can reach the Florida Peninsula. Many species had perished during the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but there were many that survived. The Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) was one of these that survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to the the Warulapai, a large bird of prey that inhabits the Tropical rainforests of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands, Central America and Southern Mexico. Vagrants of this species can even reach the Florida Peninsula. Warulapai means big predatory bird in the Wayuu language. The Warulapai is a large bird of prey, with a body length ranging from 140 to 170 cm and a wingspan between 220 and 240 cm. Their weight is between 9 to 15 Kg. Like many members of the Accipitridae family, the female is larger and heavier than the males. They have brown plumage in the back, while the chest is white. A broad black band across the upper breast separates the dark brown head from the white belly. The covert feathers are chestnut, while the wings are black. The legs are long and yellow, with the cere having a similar color. The upperside of the tail is black with three gray bands, while the underside of it is black with three white bands. The juvenile is mostly streaked with buff, and appears much lighter than the dark adults. When in flight, the undersides of the juveniles' wings are buff-colored with brown streaking. This species feeds mainly on large prey such as big fishes, water snakes, small turtles, water birds and also cubs of Yaras, Algocetuses, Tapiraiaura, Meku and Cabiai-pyinko. Being a powerful bird, the Warulapai is also capable of hunting smaller birds of prey. They can also feed on carcasses, usually dominating it. The Warulapai is monogamous, with the pairs remaining together for the rest of their lives. They nest in tall trees or in inaccessible rock slopes. The nests are often compact, made of sticks, plant roots, and stems, and are often lined with leaves, moss, bark and plant roots. They are built mainly by the female. There are usually two to four white to blueish white eggs sometimes with a speckling of pale brown. The nestlings start out light buff, but in five to six days turn a rich brown. Competition between the chicks is fierce, with only one surviving in the end. While normally all the eggs hatch, it’s very rare for two chicks to survive and is nearly impossible for four to survive. The eggs are incubated around 56 days. When the chick is 36 days old, it can stand and walk awkwardly. The chick fledges at the age of 6 months, but the parents continue to feed it for another 6 to 10 months. The male captures much of the food for the incubating female and later the eaglet, but also takes an incubating shift while the female forages and also brings prey back to the nest. Breeding maturity is not reached until birds are 4 to 6 years of age. Warulapai have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Kotooro, or crab-eating parrot (Kotooro cancrivorus) Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Habitat: Atlantic coast of South America, mangroves, estuaries and river deltas. Many species had perished during the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but there were many that survived. Among the survivors was the blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus). This species continued to evolve and gave rise to descendants. One of them is the Kotooro, an inhabitant of the Atlantic coast of South America, living in the mangroves, estuaries and river deltas. The Kotooro means parrot in wayuu language. The Kotooro is 30 cm long with a wingspan of 65 cm. They have a bright yellow crown, while the face, neck and upper breast are blue. The undertail coverts are red, and some orange is present in the wing coverts. The upper mandible is black with reddish areas on both sides. The lower mandible is pale gray. They have dark ear patches. Their legs are long and pale gray. The juvenile birds have less blue on the head, as well as red or pinkish feathers around the ceres. They molt into their adult plumage at about 8 months of age, but it can take up to two years for the full blue hood to emerge. Differently from their ancestors, the Kotooro don't have a herbivorous diet. They eat shellfish and crabs that are removed from the mud or from the sand in the beaches. They excavate their food with their feet and use thick and strong beaks to break the shells and exoskeletons. When collecting crabs, these parrots will immobilize them with their feet and use the beak to remove the claws. Kotooros are gregarious, forming flocks with 20 to 50 individuals. Such flocks can be seen foraging at mangroves and beaches during low tide. Monogamous, they can breed at any time of the year. It nests in holes in trees, the interior is covered with leaves. The clutch size is three eggs. The incubation is made by both parents during a period of 27 days and fledging occurs about 12 weeks after hatch. Kotooros reach sexual maturity with three and have a lifespan of 26 years. Kàwiriri, or black capped whistling duck (Dendrocygna kawiriri) Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Habitat: Swamps, mangroves and wetlands of South America, Central America, Caribbean Islands and Southern North America. During the Holocene, many scientists believed that hybridization was dangerous for the species, with it causing genetic pollution. However, its importance as an evolutionary mechanism can’t be ignored. In the Neocene, some species appeared due to the result of hybridism. The Kàwiriri is one of them, having originated from the union between the black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) and white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata). At some point these hybrids also reproduced with the Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor). Centuries later, they evolved into their own species. Kàwiriri is the name of the black-bellied whistling duck in Carib language. This bird inhabits swamps, mangroves and wetlands of South America, Central America, Caribbean Islands and Southern North America. The Kàwiriri is a mid-sized waterfowl species, with a length ranging from 48 to 57 cm, body mass from 652 to 1,020 g and wingspan ranges from 77 to 95 cm. It has a long bright red bill, long head and longish pink legs. The back and wings are dark ochreous with dark brown stripes, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The tail is black with four longitudinal white bars. The back of the neck and cap are also black. The face and upper neck are light gray, nearly white. The chest is reddish brown. The extensive white in the wings is obvious in flight, less so on the ground. It is formed by the secondary remiges while the primaries are black. Males and females look alike. Juveniles are similar but have a gray bill and less contrasting belly. Feeding often occurs nocturnally, but they can be encountered eating at any hour of the day. Kàwiriri ducks ingest a wide variety of plant material, but also consume arthropods, aquatic invertebrates and tadpoles when available. They often feed on submerged vegetation by wading through shallow water. Kàwiriri are highly gregarious, forming large flocks when not breeding, and are largely resident apart from local movements. They can reproduce during the entire year, but it’s more frequent during the wet season. It usually nests in hollow trees. These ducks form a very strong monogamous pair-bond, often staying together for many years. Both parents share all tasks associated with the raising of young, from incubation to the rearing of ducklings. The female lays 8 to 12 eggs that are incubated by her and the male for 27 days. Ducklings are precocial, leaping from nest cavities within two days of hatching. They can feed themselves immediately, but stay with the parents for up to eight weeks. Eggs and ducklings may be preyed on by mammals, birds and reptiles; one parent may try to distract a potential predator with a broken-wing display while the other adult leads the ducklings away. Birds are sexually mature after one year, and the maximum known age is 7 years. Kusa, or violet crab (Callinectes purpurascens) Order: Decapoda Family: Portunidae Habitat: Tropical and Temperate areas of the Western edge of the Atlantic Ocean, The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) survived the anthropogenic onslaught and in the Neocene gave rise to the Kusa, an inhabitant of the mangroves and other coastal areas in the Tropical and Temperate Western edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Like its ancestors, the Kusa is a swimming crab with the fifth pair of legs modified in flattened broad paddles. These crabs may grow to a carapace width of 25 cm. Males and females are easily distinguished by the shape of the abdomen and by color differences in the chelipeds, or claws. The abdomen is long and slender in males, but wide and rounded in mature females. The immovable, fixed finger of the claws in males is reddish blue, giving a purple appearance. While the females have orange coloration with blue tips. The Kusa is an omnivore, eating both plants and animals. It typically consumes thin-shelled bivalves, annelids, small fish, plants, and nearly any other item it can find, including carrion, other Kusa individuals, and animal waste. Although an aquatic predator, this species will remain in shallow pits in salt marshes at low tide and ambush intertidal prey such as other crab species. Mating and spawning are distinct events in the Kusa's reproduction. Males may mate several times and undergo no major changes in morphology during the process. Female blue crabs mate only once in their lifetimes during terminal molt. During this transition, the abdomen changes from a triangular to a semicircular shape. Prepubertal females migrate to the upper reaches of estuaries, where males typically reside as adults. To ensure that a male can mate, he actively seeks a receptive female and guards her for up to seven days until she molts, when insemination occurs. Crabs compete with other individuals before, during, and after insemination, so mate guarding is very important for reproductive success. After mating, a male must continue to guard the female until her shell has hardened. Inseminated females retain spermatophores for up to one year, which they use for multiple spawnings in high salinity water. During spawning, a female extrudes fertilized eggs onto her swimmerets and carries them in a large egg mass, or sponge, while they develop. Females migrate to the mouth of the estuary to release the larvae, the timing of which is believed to be influenced by light, tide, and lunar cycles. This species have high fecundity, with females being capable of producing up to 2 million eggs per brood This species hatch in high-salinity waters of inlets, coastal waters, and mouths of rivers, and are carried to the ocean by the tide. During seven planktonic stages, the larvae float near the surface and feed on microorganisms they encounter. After the eighth zoeal stage, larvae molt into megalopae. This larval form has small claws called chelipeds for grasping prey items. Megalopae selectively migrate upward in the water column as tides travel landward toward estuaries. Eventually, Kusas arrive in brackish water, where they spend the majority of their lives. Chemical cues in estuarine water prompt metamorphosis to the juvenile phase, after which blue crabs appear similar to the adult form. Like all crustaceans, Kusa grows by shedding its exoskeleton, or molting, to expose a new, larger exoskeleton. After it hardens, the new shell fills with body tissue. Shell hardening occurs most quickly in low-salinity water where high osmotic pressure allows the shell to become rigid soon after molting. During their lifetime, the number of molts is fixed at about 25. Females typically exhibit 18 molts after the larval stages, while postlarval males molt about 20 times.
wovoka: Very good descriptions!
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animals!
wovoka: As soon as I like making bestiarys Now it will be bestiary of Fagnano Lake, also called Lake Cami. Here will be Groundsloth rodent (Tardimegamys longimanus) (often they feed near water bodies, eating the rhizomes of marsh and shallow-water plants). They will broke trees on the banks of the lake to get leaves and fruits for eating. 1. Large Culpeo - wil be hunting on the shores of the lake on semiaquatic deermaras 2. Geranoaetus polyosoma - large prey bird eating every life prey near water and on the surface of the water. 2. Semiaquatic herd deermaras 2. Big semiaquatic Conepatus chinga (will be hunting in water on deermaras) 3. Rabbit like descendant of Reithrodon auritus - will be eating fresh grass on the banks of the lake 4. Euneomys chinchilloides - will be little water algae and grass eating animal. 5. Abrothrix olivacea - also will be little water but omnivorous animal. 6. Megaceryle torquata - will be fish eating big bird. 7. Pitangus sulphuratus - will be medium-sized omnivorous bird feeding on the shores of the lake. 8. Colaptes pitius - will be look for food in rotting wood on the shores of the lake (that woods that was broken by Groundsloth rodent and get into the water). 9. Campephilus magellanicus - will search for food by breaking the shells of lake and see mollusks 10. Lessonia rufa - will be eating invertebrates on the shores of the lake (including parasites of deermaras) and algae. 11. Mini penguin - semiaquatic descendant of Serpophaga nigricans Pleurodema bufoninum - will be big poisoned frog (only Conepatus chinga and Eleginops maclovinus will eat it). 12. Cryptomphalus aspersus - invasive species - food for Campephilus magellanicus 13. Eleginops maclovinus - large anadromous omnivorous fish the main fish predator of the lake, fish swims into the lake from the Azopardo River 14. Salmo trutta - invasive species of fish, will be river and lake fish 15. Salvelinus fontinalis - invasive species of fish, will be only lake fish 16. Aegorhinus vitulus - the larvae of it's descendant will eat rotting wood on the shores of the lake (main diet of Colaptes pitius) (unfortunately almost no information about this beetle) 17. Munida gregaria - main food of mini penguin 18. Ulva intestinalis - will be main species of the lake algae.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Yes! They could be like the Pharalopes, swimming to forage when necessary. Yes! May be we will use and some others characteristics of Pharalopes Red and red-necked phalaropes are unusual amongst shorebirds in that they are considered pelagic, that is, they spend a great deal of their lives outside the breeding season well out to sea. Phalaropes are unusually halophilic (salt-loving) and feed in great numbers in saline lakes such as Mono Lake in California and the Great Salt Lake of Utah. Sexual dimorphism and reproduction In the three phalarope species, sexual dimorphism and contributions to parenting are reversed from what is normally seen in birds. Females are larger and more brightly colored than males. The females pursue and fight over males, then defend them from other females until the male begins incubation of the clutch. Males perform all incubation and chick care, while the female attempts to find another male to mate with. If a male loses his eggs to predation, he will often rejoin his original mate or a new female, who will lay another clutch. Once it becomes too late in the season to start new nests, females begin their southward migration, leaving the males to incubate the eggs and care for the young. Phalaropes are uncommon among birds and vertebrates in general in that they engage in polyandry, one female taking multiple male mates while males mate with only one female. Specifically, phalaropes engage in serial polyandry, wherein females pair with multiple males at different times in the breeding season.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: May be we will use and some others characteristics of Pharalopes We could make the Teitei salt-loving like them, but I thought that the male could be the one more colorful. Perhaps they would have a type of dance?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: We could make the Teitei salt-loving like them Îê! JOrnitho ïèøåò: but I thought that the male could be the one more colorful. Perhaps they would have a type of dance? Îê, let it be! What do you think about bestiary of Fagnano Lake https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-7-1680187235428-00000029-000-10001-0#064 I finished the description of Sakompo (water boa) and it's relative Urupere, but in russian https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1680186779082-00000176-000-10001-0#048 Urupere I will use in the chapter about sea fish eating bats. I need to finish Asakaimo, Arakaka and may be Tarekaja - the smaller subspecies of Atlantic bat turtle. And the bestiary of the chapter "The Lake that became a Gulf" or "Catatumbo lightning" will be finished. Which chapter title do you like best?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: What do you think about bestiary of Fagnano Lake https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-7-1680187235428-00000029-000-10001-0#064 I like it! We can work on it after finishing with the Maracaibo gulf. By the way, what do you think of a chapter happening in the Atlantic forest of Rio de Janeiro? wovoka ïèøåò: I finished the description of Sakompo (water boa) and it's relative Urupere, but in russian https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1680186779082-00000176-000-10001-0#048 This is a good description! Did you ever thought about the possibility of sea serpents living in the Atlantic? With the end of the Panama strait, they could cross it.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I like it! We can work on it after finishing with the Maracaibo gulf. I thought the most interesting for you as rodentologist would be to make the chapter about microwolves. I think we can call the chapter "The howling microwolves". Let's first work on it. Ok? JOrnitho ïèøåò: Did you ever thought about the possibility of sea serpents living in the Atlantic? With the end of the Panama strait, they could cross it. The the most suitable species is Hydrophis platurus. JOrnitho ïèøåò: By the way, what do you think of a chapter happening in the Atlantic forest of Rio de Janeiro? At least we can make a bestiary for the start. wovoka ïèøåò: 8. puma-like descendant of Leopardus braccatus - Kusariwara (in carib language) JOrnitho ïèøåò: This reminds me of an idea that I had for a puma-like descendant of the jaguarundi that would live in the Atlantic forests of South America. I have ideas for a chapter in this biome, more precisely happening in Rio de Janeiro. Maybe we could talk about it after finishing our other chapter ideas? The feline would be called Eyra (Genus Eyrailurus), a Tupi Guarani name for its ancestor, but that is also used for the tayra. If our ideas are conflicting with the same niche, what do you think if we merge them in only one animal for both Cerrado and Atlantic Forest? I'm leaving the description for you to give a look. I really wanted to make puma-like animal from Leopardus braccatus calling Kusariwara, can we somehow divide econiches of Kusariwara and Eyra?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Let's first work on it. Ok? Ok! I'll finish the descriptions and start with the rodents. I like the idea for the title. wovoka ïèøåò: The the most suitable species is Hydrophis platurus. Do you think that they could appear in the chapter about the bats? wovoka ïèøåò: At least we can make a bestiary for the start. I have some species that we could use. I'll make a list later. wovoka ïèøåò: I really wanted to make puma-like animal from Leopardus braccatus calling Kusariwara, can we somehow divide econiches of Kusariwara and Eyra? I envisioned the Eyra being a species of the Atlantic forest, which hunts small to medium-sized prey. Could the Kusariwara be adapted to savannas and Cerrado and hunt medium to large prey? Maybe a compact version of tiger or a large puma. From the bestiary, the Jaguarete is an Amazonian species, so it would only overlap a bit of the Eyra range in the North, like the cougar and the jaguar in the Holocene.
ìåäâåäü: I envisioned the Eyra being a species of the Atlantic forest, which hunts small to medium-sized prey. Could the Kusariwara be adapted to savannas and Cerrado and hunt medium to large prey? I am somehow not sure if so many different large felids could exist in South America. Now there are only two- jaguar and cougar, and in the Pleistocene the only other ones were Smilodon populator, who was a megafauna specialist, and Homotherium venezuelensis, which also hunted megafauna and may not have persisted in South America for long. Remember that even jaguars, that usually live in tropical rainforests had a subspecies Panthera onca mesembrina that lived in Patagonia. Even in Eurasia the distributions of lion and tiger had in the past overlapped in Transcaucasia and Western India.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Yes, maybe this is the best idea. But don't forget, we have in South America also Felinoraptor tigrinus descendant of puma. It will be bigger than Kusariwara. ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: I am somehow not sure if so many different large felids could exist in South America. Now there are only two- jaguar and cougar, and in the Pleistocene the only other ones were Smilodon populator, who was a megafauna specialist, and Homotherium venezuelensis, which also hunted megafauna and may not have persisted in South America for long. Remember that even jaguars, that usually live in tropical rainforests had a subspecies Panthera onca mesembrina that lived in Patagonia. Even in Eurasia the distributions of lion and tiger had in the past overlapped in Transcaucasia and Western India. Since I forgot about the Felinoraptor, I agree that so many felines in South America could not be possible. There is the Felinoraptor, jaguarete and uecubu. However, it makes me think if the eyra could be specialized to hunt monkeys and birds mostly in the tree canopy, like a fossa. What do you two think? Of course, it would be smaller than I planned early.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Do you think that they could appear in the chapter about the bats? Good idea! Next week I'll make bestiary and for this chapter. JOrnitho ïèøåò: I have some species that we could use. I'll make a list later. Ok! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Maybe a compact version of tiger Yes, maybe this is the best idea. But don't forget, we have in South America also Felinoraptor tigrinus descendant of puma. It will be bigger than Kusariwara.
JOrnitho: Talking about felines, I made the description of a genus of small cats that are descendants of the domestic cat. They would fill the niche of the Genus Leopardus. They would share the name with South American tribes: Tamoio, Kaingang, etc.
wovoka: Maybe Kusariwara will be like Miracinonyx, he will be bigger and faster than uecubu and have bigger fangs. And he will live only in Brazilian Cerrado that will be the territory of a lot of big 2-5 meters termite mounds. He could quickly jump on this hills.So he's main diet will be moco-pseudoargils, that could like argalis also quickly jump on this hills and Myrmedillo destructors, which have hard shells, and also cubs of hippotapirs living on the banks of local rivers. Maybe he will be descendent of hybrid of Leopardus braccatus and Leopardus tigrinus, "hybrids between the Pantanal cat and oncilla are known from Brazil".
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Maybe Kusariwara will be like Miracinonyx, he will be bigger and faster than uecubu and have bigger fangs. And he will live only in Brazilian Cerrado that will be the territory of a lot of big 2-5 meters termite mounds. He could quickly jump on this hills.So he's main diet will be moco-pseudoargils, that could like argalis also quickly jump on this hills and Myrmedillo destructors, which have hard shells, and also cubs of hippotapirs living on the banks of local rivers. Maybe he will be descendent of hybrid of Leopardus braccatus and Leopardus tigrinus, "hybrids between the Pantanal cat and oncilla are known from Brazil". I think that it can work. The Kusariwara would be more specialized, while the Eyra is a generalist and adapted to forested habitats.
JOrnitho: Finished the Teitei and Awaruape's descriptions. I'm not sure if the one of the feline is good, since it's a subespecies of the jaguarete and the nominal one is already described in a chapter. Perhaps it should only appear in the chapter rather then having a description? Teitei, or tap dancer lapwing (Neovanellus teitei) Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae Habitat: Coastal areas of Tropical and Temperate South America, lagoons, mangroves and river deltas. During the Holocene, the southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) was a common and widespread species in South America. Being resilient, they thrived in the empty fields left by the humans. In the Neocene, they gave rise to a descendant, the Teitei. Differently from their ancestors, this species inhabits the coastal areas of Tropical and Temperate South America, including lagoons, mangroves and river deltas. Teitei is the name of the southern lapwing in the Wayuu language. The Teitei is 35 to 42 cm in length and weighs approximately 260 to 430 g, with males being larger and heavier than females. Besides that, the two also differ in their plumage. The male has a long crest and a glossy-black crown. Their upperparts are mainly reddish-brown, with a bronze glossing on the shoulders. The head is mainly reddish brown with a black forehead and throat patch extending onto the black breast. A white border separates the black of the face from the gray of the head and crest. The rest of the underparts are white, and the eye ring, legs and most of the bill are bright red. They are equipped with red bony extensions under the wings (spurs), used to intimidate foes and fight birds of prey. The female lacks the glossy feathers in the shoulders and crown. Their crest is shorter and the reddish brown is replaced by brownish gray. They lack the black forehead and throat patch, with only a pale gray being present in these areas. The eye ring, legs and bill are pale pink. Both sexes have lobbed fingers. This feeds primarily on small invertebrates and small fish that inhabit the mud of brackish areas. It’s during their foraging that they reveal why they are also called tap dancer lapwing. Rather than using the lobes of their fingers to help swim, the Teitei uses them to stir the mud below the water, making any invertebrate hiding here rise to the surface, allowing them to catch. While doing it, these birds look as if they are dancing. They’ll also forage during the low tide, using their beak to probe the ground. The Teitei is monogamous, with the pairs remaining together for the rest of their lives. They nest during the dry season and during this period the male will display to the female. It’ll begin with a flight while constantly calling for her. She’ll follow the male through the air, mimicking his flight. Once the two are on the ground, the male will open his wings and start to move around her. The female will replicate his movements and the two will start a “dance”. The mating starts soon after. Both new pairs and already mated ones will make this display. It increases the bond between the birds. They breed cooperatively in social groups that consist of a breeding pair with one or two young from the previous breeding season.They breed on plain areas close to the coast. It lays 2 to 4 olive-brown eggs in a bare ground scrape. The nest and young are defended noisily and aggressively against all intruders by means of threats, vocalizations and low flights. The chicks leave the nest immediately after hatching, but are fed by the parents and older siblings in dry areas for at least 4 weeks. After this period they follow their family to the water. The young fledge within 10 weeks and reach sexual maturity within 1 year. It’s usually at this time that they leave their parents. Teitei have a lifespan of 10 years. Awaruwape (Leopardus jaguarete awaruwape) Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Habitat: Forests near swamps and marshlands of Northern South America, including the Catatumbo Delta. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continued to evolve. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo) were one of these survivors. They hybridized and generated the Jaguarete, a large Amazonian predator. In the marshlands surrounding the Catatumbo Delta, the Jaguarete have a subespecies called the Awaruwape. This word is the name of a legendary jaguar in Carib language. Due to living in a more wet habitat than the Jaguarete, the Awaruwape have some particular characteristics. They are slightly larger, with a body length of 185-190. They are adapted for diving in salt water, having clarans in the ears and nostrils to keep water out of the auditory and respiratory systems when they are diving. Since they spend more time in the water than the jaguarete, its fur is darker, smoother and thicker, saving the feline from getting wet and hypothermia, as well as a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat. They also have skin between their paws that form a small webbing, which helps them swim through their flooded habitat with efficiency. Given it 's larger size, the Awaruwape also has a preference for hunting larger and more aquatic prey than the Jaguarete. Fishes, large aquatic birds, yaras, young barocavias and algocetuses that come too close to the coast. Their reproduction is the same as that of the nominal subespecies. They can mate year round and the gestation usually takes 3 months. After this period, the female gives birth to a litter of 2-5 kittens inside a den. The kittens start to be fed with solid food after 7 months, at this point they start to leave the den. The cubs stay with their mother for about 3 years, and then they begin an independent life. They have the same lifespan that the nominal subespecies, 18-20 years. :
ìåäâåäü: Interesting animals!
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Order: Charadriiformes Family: Psittacidae What? It is a mistake or misprint? Parrots are placed into their own order, Psittaciformes. And they're not closely related to charadiiformes, but to passeriformes and falconiformes (click here) Lapwings are nor Psittacidae, they're Charadiidae! But species are good, I like them and add to lists.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: What? It is a mistake or misprint? Misprint. I copy pasted it from the Kotooro parrot, but forgot to remove the Psittacidae. Going to edit right now.
wovoka: Very good descriptions! Write please: awaruwape - legendary jaguar in Carib language. The main differences between jaguarete and awaruwape, in my opinion: it is adapted for diving in salt water, it has clarans in its ears and nostrils to keep water out of its auditory and respiratory systems when he is diving. Since it spends more time in the water than the jaguaret, its fur is darker, smoother and thicker, saving the beast from getting wet and hypothermia, as well as a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: awaruwape - legendary jaguar in Carib language. The main differences between jaguarete and awaruwape, in my opinion: it is adapted for diving in salt water, it has clarans in its ears and nostrils to keep water out of its auditory and respiratory systems when he is diving. Since it spends more time in the water than the jaguaret, its fur is darker, smoother and thicker, saving the beast from getting wet and hypothermia, as well as a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat. I'll add these details to the description.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I'll add these details to the description. Thank you! What is a lifespan of awaruwape?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: What is a lifespan of awaruwape? I thought that it would the same that the nominal subespecies, 18-20 years.
JOrnitho: wokova These are the animals and plants for the chapter about the Atlantic forest, it could be called Marvellous Forest. Atlantic cherry and lowland jamelan Grey-headed marmoset Common sugar opossum Blue-fronted macaw (not a true macaw, but a descendant of the Pyrrhura) Great Suindara Great inamu Tamoio cat Eyra Panapanas Southern night tapaculo Gold-fronted erythrophonia Rufous-bellied choca, or Rufous-bellied antshrike Crested singing falcon
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: These are the animals and plants for the chapter about the Atlantic forest, it could be called Marvellous Forest. Good title! I'm sorry, could you please give latin names of ansectors or links on the already made descriptions? It is really very difficult to understand by the English names of creatures who is who.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: I'm sorry, could you please give latin names of ansectors or links on the already made descriptions? It is really very difficult to understand by the English names of creatures who is who. I'm going to make another list, this time with the links. I already made their descriptions. Atlantic cherry and lowland jamelan Grey-headed marmoset Common sugar opossum Blue-fronted macaw Great Suindara Great inamu Tamoio cat Eyra Panapana Southern night tapaculo Gold-fronted erythrophonia Rufous-bellied choca, or rufous-bellied antshrike Crested singing falcon
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I'm going to make another list, this time with the links. I already made their descriptions. Good bestiary! Let also save for neocene and this region Tangara cyanocephala. Very beautifull bird.
wovoka: Bestiary of migration of sea fish eating bats 1. Noctilio leporinus mastivus 2. Noctilio albiventris - can fly ahead of storm fronts, taking advantage of the abundance of Aeroplankton caused by air convection. 3. Hydrophis platurus. 4. Sphyraenesia ferox from neocene 5. Corvus ossifragus 6. Myctophum punctatum or Gonichthys cocco or Lobianchia gemellarii 7. Euphausia mutica or Thysanopoda tricuspidata 8. Aedes aegypti 9. Condylostylus longicornis 10. Halobates micans 11. Pontomyia 12. Danaus plexippus 13. Rhopalosiphum padi or Rhopalosiphum maidis as aeroplankton
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Let also save for neocene and this region Tangara cyanocephala. Very beautifull bird. Yes! They are beautiful! Their descendants could have some interesting characteristics. ìåäâåäü Do you have ideas for how these birds could be different from their ancestors?
JOrnitho: wovoka What do you think of this species? I thought that it could also appear in the Marvellous Forest chapter. The Puraheikai is a descendant of the Alouatta monkeys.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Tangara cyanocephala We can call it atá–cará - word Tangara is from Tupi language atá–cará - to jump May be you need this for the names of your species? https://www.academia.edu/42639210/Dicion%C3%A1rio_Tupi_Guarani_Portugu%C3%AAs_Dicion%C3%A1rio_Tupi_Guarani_Portugu%C3%AAs https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/bafykbzaceci5trzoi3a77uc7lsavw2guaqchwm3t2uo6ojyedvv7tckoashos?filename=[]%20Eduardo%20de%20Almeida%20Navarro,%20Ariano%20Suassuna%20-%20Dicion%C3%A1rio%20de%20tupi%20antigo:%20a%20l%C3%ADngua%20ind%C3%ADgena%20cl%C3%A1ssica%20do%20Brasil%20(2013,%20Global%20Editora).pdf JOrnitho ïèøåò: The Puraheikai is a descendant of the Alouatta monkeys. Good monkey!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: We can call it atá–cará - word Tangara is from Tupi language atá–cará - to jump I like it! wovoka ïèøåò: May be you need this for the names of your species? https://www.academia.edu/42639210/Dicion%C3%A1rio_Tupi_Guarani_Portugu%C3%AAs_Dicion%C3%A1rio_Tupi_Guarani_Portugu%C3%AAs This is very good. I'll use it.
wovoka: Let us make something semiaquatic and collective from this animal Spalacopus cyanus in the mouth of the river Loa in Chile Also we can use Degú and Pudu for that region https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254337210_Small_mammals_of_the_Atacama_Desert_Chile
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Let us make something semiaquatic and collective from this animal Spalacopus cyanus They could eat water plants, while making their dens in the riverbanks. This species could live in colonies like prairie dogs. wovoka ïèøåò: Also we can use Degú and Pudu for that region The Degu could be a rabbit like animal that is efficient in making burrows, while the pudu could have some different type of antler. Other species that could appear is the monito del monte and the torrent duck.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: They could eat water plants, while making their dens in the riverbanks. This species could live in colonies like prairie dogs. Yes, thats was the idea. JOrnitho ïèøåò: The Degu could be a rabbit like animal that is efficient in making burrows, while the pudu could have some different type of antler. Other species that could appear is the monito del monte and the torrent duck. I support it. But we will return to this region later.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Marvellous Forest You can make some megaphauna species for this forest. Parastrapotherium like tapir, the relative of tapirotherium. It can live in all southern forests of South America And great vampire bat for feed on the blood of megaphauna animals all over the South America. Like Desmodus draculae. Also describe please animals we invented, but not for specific chapters. Semi-aquatic amazon weasel which is adapted to hunt in the flooded areas of the Amazon, such as the igapós and hunt small semi-aquatic rodents. we decided to call it Eiba - weasel in Chibcha language, if it get from Amazonia to Orinoco and will get to the extensive swamps of the Orinoco Delta. A large (150-200 cm) river turtle like Stupendemys in the Pebas Mega-Wetlands, but in Amazon area. For Maracaibo I'll make little turtle, for feeding tapiraiaura.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: You can make some megaphauna species for this forest. Parastrapotherium like tapir, the relative of tapirotherium. It can live in all southern forests of South America And great vampire bat for feed on the blood of megaphauna animals all over the South America. Like Desmodus draculae. Good idea! We can use them in the chapter too. wovoka ïèøåò: Also describe please animals we invented, but not for specific chapters. I'll work on that today.
JOrnitho: I made the descriptions of the animals that we discussed: Atlantic mborevi (Neoastrapotherium fluminensis) Order: Perissodactyla Family: Tapiridae Habitat: Tropical forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, both in lowlands and in mountains. Even with the anthropogenic pressure over their habitats, the tapirs were able to survive in the Neocene. While being a relict group, they were able to develop different forms to fill niches that their ancestors never occupied. Among these new forms was the Genus Neoastrapotherium, a sister group to the larger Tapirotherium. Like the extinct Astrapotherium, the members of this genus are large-sized mammals that have a lifestyle similar to that of a rhinoceros. The type species of the group is the Atlantic mborevi, an inhabitant of the Atlantic forests of South America. Mborevi is a Tupi-guarani word that was used to name the tapir. The Atlantic mborevi is a large animal, with 250 to 300 cm of body length and stands between 95 to 120 cm at the shoulder. They have a weight ranging from 320 to 500 kg. Males are heavier and larger than the females. They have a trunk, which is shorter than that of their Tapirotherium relatives, but 30% longer than that of their ancestors. They are dark brown, paler in the face and underparts. The round, dark ears have distinctive light brown edges. The newborns have a light brown coat, with white stripes along the body. This species is herbivorous, foraging during the day. Using its mobile nose, it feeds on leaves, buds, shoots, and small branches it tears from trees, fruit and grasses. They also feed on the vast majority of seeds found in the forest. Given their size and weight, these animals can shake small trees to have access to fruits. They are also capable of getting in their rear legs to take food that is too high. Due to its capacity of changing the environment, they can be considered forest gardners. Atlantic mborevi live in small matriarchal herds formed by an older female and her sisters and daughters. Such groups rarely surpass more than 20 individuals. The males are solitary, only interacting with the females during the mating season. They move through well delimited trails, which could be in use for several years. Other animals will also use these paths. Besides being terrestrial, mborevi is an excellent swimmer and diver, but will only rarely visit rivers and lakes, preferring to remain most of the time under the cover of the trees in dense forests. Its reluctance to stay close to water and preference for dense forested areas makes this animal avoid competition with Barocavias. To maintain contact with each other in the dense forests, they constantly vocalize with whistle-blows, eeps and low frequency sounds. Females become sexually mature at the age of six to seven years, while males become sexually mature at about 10 years old. The gestation period is around 15–16 months. The calf, which typically weighs 40–60 kg, is weaned after about 15 months. Female calves stay in her mother herd, but the male will stay only for the first two to three years of their lives. The birth interval for this species is four to five years. Due to their size, mborevi have few predators, they can have a lifespan of 60 years. Another representative of the genus is the Austral mborevi (Neostrapotherium australis), an inhabitant of the South subtropical rainforests of South America. They are larger than their relatives of the Atlantic forest, having 300 to 350 cm of length and a height of 100 to 150 cm. They are black in the upperparts, with the fur becoming noticeably light brown on the underside, around the anal region, and on the cheeks. Their fur is also shaggier, helping them conserve the temperature during the winter. Also living in matriarchal herds, these animals leave trails that are used by other animals. Caoera (Desmodus caoera) Order: Chiroptera Family: Phyllostomidae Habitat: Tropical South America, from savannas to forests. The arrival of the Neocene had given South America a great number of Megafauna. Barocavias, Tapirotheriums and other large mammals now inhabit the continent and other animals evolved to take advantage of their presence. The common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), famous for feeding on blood, found itself in an environment full of large sources of food. It allowed them to evolve in a large species, the Caoera. Inhabiting the tropical regions of South America, this animal is named after the vulture-sized vampire bat from the legends of the Mura people. The Caoera have 25 cm of length and can weigh up to 60 g, making it close in size and weight to the extinct Desmodus draculae, a species that lived in the Pleistocene of South American, when large sources of blood were also available. They have a wingspan of 60 to 70 cm. Caoera’s appearance isn't so different from their ancestor. They are short-haired, with dark gray fur on its undersides, demarcated from the light fur on its back. It has a deeply grooved lower lip, and a flat, leaf-shaped nose. A well-developed, clawed thumb on each wing is used to climb onto prey and to assist the animal in take-off. Like the common vampire bat, they can run using a unique, bounding gait in which the forelimbs are used instead of the hindlimbs to propel forward, as the wings are much more powerful than the legs. This species feeds primarily on mammalian blood, particularly that of Tapirotherium, Parastrapotherium and Barocavia. Female animals, particularly those in estrus, are more often targeted than males. hunt at night, using echolocation and olfaction to track down prey. They feed in a distance of 5 to 8 km from their roosts. When a bat selects a target, it lands on it, or jumps up onto it from the ground, usually targeting the rump, flank, or neck of its prey. Thanks to the heat sensors in the nose, they are able to detect blood vessels near the surface of the skin. It pierces the animal's skin with its teeth, biting away a small flap,and laps up the blood with its tongue, which has lateral grooves adapted to this purpose. The blood is kept from clotting by an anticoagulant in the saliva. They are protective of their host and will fend off other bats while feeding. It’s even worse with males, which do not tolerate another male when feeding. They can fight against each other fiercely, to the point of biting each other in the wings to tear the skin. Females will only scare any that try to approach. With the exception of mothers and their offspring, two bats will never feed on the same animal. However, they’ll share food with close related individuals. Male Caoera guard roosting sites that attract females, but females often switch roosts. During estrus, a female releases one egg. Mating usually lasts three to four minutes. The male bat mounts the female from the posterior end, grasps her back with his teeth, holds down her folded wings, and inseminates her. They are reproductively active year-round, although the number of conceptions and births peak in the rainy season. Females give birth to one offspring per pregnancy, following a gestation period of about seven months. The young are raised primarily by the females. Mothers leave their young to hunt, and call their young to feed upon returning. The young accompany their mothers to hunt at seven months, but are not fully weaned until ten months. Female offspring usually remain in their natal groups into adulthood, unless their mothers die or move. The occasional movements of unrelated females between groups leads to the formation of multiple matrilines within groups. Male offspring tend to live in their natal groups until they are one year old, sometimes being forced out by the resident adult males. This species has a lifespan of three to four years. Eiba, or aquatic weasel (Neogale natatorius) Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Amazon rainforest, flooded areas and calm river streams. This species can reach the regions of the Orinoco Delta. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The Amazon weasel (Neogale africana) was one of these survivors and in the Neocene they gave rise to the Eiba, a semi-aquatic animal that inhabits the Amazon rainforest, with populations living in the Orinoco Delta. Their name means weasel in Chibcha language. The Eiba is a large species of weasel, measuring 45 to 56 cm in total length, including a tail 18 to 24 cm long. They have a typical body form for weasels, with a long, slender, torso and short legs and ears. They have a dense fur which is dark brown on the upper body, and is light buff on the underparts. A stripe of fur the same color as that on the upper body runs down the center of the chest and throat. The whiskers are short and the soles of the feet almost hairless. They have short webs between their fingers, which helps them swim after prey. During swimming, the Eiba propels itself primarily through undulating movements of the trunk. This species is an obligate carnivore, hunting most of their prey in the water. It has a preference for aquatic birds, rodents and amphibs, but will feed on fishes during the dry season, when they get stuck in small ponds. Crustacean will also be eaten, but more rarely. Eiba is a solitary species, with males and females only interacting during the mating season. The gestation period lasts 10 months, with actual embryonic development taking place only during the last four weeks of this period, an adaptation to timing births for the dry season, when food is more abundant. The female gives birth in dens in ground burrows, under stumps or beneath rock piles, usually away from the water to avoid being flooded. Litter size generally consists of 5 to 8 kits. The kits are born partially naked, blind and weighing 3 grams, about the same weight of a hummingbird. Their growth rate is rapid, as by the age of three weeks, the kits are well furred, can crawl outside the nest and eat meat. At this time, the kits weigh 21–27 grams. At five weeks of age, the kit's eyes open, and the young become physically active and vocal. Weaning begins at this stage, with the kits emerging from the nest and accompanying the mother on hunting trips a week later. The kits are fully grown by autumn, at which time the family disbands. The females are able to breed at 3–4 months of age, while males become sexually mature at 15–18 months. They have a lifespan of 9 years. Karumbeguasu, or giant wood turtle (Gigantochelys incredibilis) Order: Testudines Family: Habitat: Rivers of the Amazon Rainforest, reaching as far as the Orinoco Delta. The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However the species that were resilient enough survived, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. Among these survivors was the black wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea), which gave rise to the Karumbeguasu. This large turtle is an inhabitant of several rivers of the Amazon rainforest. Its name is formed by two words of the Guarani language: karumbe that means turtle and guasu that is large. The Karumbeguasu is one of the largest freshwater turtles of South America, with a shell having between 150 to 200 cm of length. The carapace is moderately depressed, with a vertebral keel in juveniles. The plastron is large, strongly angulated laterally in the young, convex in the adult. The head is rather small, with a pointed and upwards-tending snout. The fleet is webbed. The upper surface of the carapace and the soft parts are dark brown, while the plastron is yellowish. Head and neck are brown with reddish bases. Males in breeding coloration have a black head and neck with an orange dorsal surface and reddish yellow forelegs. This species is omnivorous, taking waterside plants and small animals such as fishes and crustaceans. Given its size, this turtle can also eat aquatic birds and medium sized mammals that are crossing the water. However, they have a greater preference for plants and will not miss the opportunity to eat fruits that fall from the trees in the water. Karumbeguasu are solitary, with the interactions between males and females only happening during the mating season, which happens during dry periods. During this period, the sandbanks where they lay their eggs aren’t covered by water anymore. The females can undertake long seasonal migrations of 50 to 60 miles to the areas where they were hatched. After encountering a female, the male uses head movements, nuzzling or biting to determine her receptiveness. Males can mate every year but the females mate every two to three years. They nest at night when the risk of predation and heat stress is lowest. The average size of their clutch is 110 eggs, but only 85% of them are viable. One female may lay as many as eight clutches in one breeding season. The eggs hatch in about 60 to 70 days. As with other reptiles, the nest's ambient temperature determines the sex of the hatchlings. After nightfall, they dig to the surface and walk to the river. The hatchlings have a more carnivorous diet, feeding on amphibs, crustaceans and small fish. They reach sexual maturity within 10 years and can live up to 100 years. However, many young are preyed on before reaching even one year.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Good animals, I add them to list.
wovoka: Good animals! But, Amazon mborevi - you sure he wouldn't compete with barocavias and tapirotherium, better settle such animal in south forests of South America. And latin name couldn't be Parastrapotherium, such genus already extinct. Maybe tapiroparastrapatherium or something like that. Here the maps of neocene, they have some mistakes, but it is the better that we have! These two maps are VERY BIG, better download them:
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But, Amazon mborevi - you sure he wouldn't compete with barocavias and tapirotherium, better settle such animal in south forests of South America. Maybe it could be endemic to the Atlantic forest? I read that the Tapirotherium was present in more open areas and in Amazon rather than in the dense and mountainous forests in the Atlantic coast. I also thought that the Barocavia is more like a hippopotamus, while the mborevi would only visit the water occasionally, staying most of the time in dense forested areas and foraging at the day. I would replace the Amazonian species with one living in the temperate forests. It would be larger and shaggier. wovoka ïèøåò: And latin name couldn't be Parastrapotherium, such genus already extinct. Maybe tapiroparastrapatherium or something like that. I think that I'll go with the Neoastrapotherium, but it seems bland. Do you have any suggestion?
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I would replace the Amazonian species with one living in the temperate forests. It would be larger and shaggier. That's better! JOrnitho ïèøåò: Neoastrapotherium Why not?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: That's better! Ok! I edited to fit these new information.
JOrnitho: wovoka What do you thinknof a mongoose like marsupial in South America feeding of venemous animals, such as serpents? They would be imune to the venom.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho I think it won't be, because we have invasive small indian moongooses and raccoons at South America. They won't let this niche to opossums.
wovoka: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: They won't let this niche to opossums. North American opossums (Didelphis virginiana) eating rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and vipers. They have complete immunity to the venom of these snakes. And this is the article about predation of southamerican opossum Didelphis marsupialis on the Rattlesnake https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272906985_Predation_by_the_Opossum_Didelphis_marsupialis_on_the_Rattlesnake_Crotalus_durissus May be we add this animal to the chapter of Maracaibo, he'll be eating water rattlesnakes in the Gulf and became like water opossum (yapok)? Will call him Parana-aware (sea opossum in carib). And also we forget fishes at all JOrnitho, please describe in more detail how the tapiryaura eats turtles, well, she bit the shell with her jaws, then what, she doesn’t chew the turtle along with the shell, how does she pick out the meat?
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: I think it won't be, because we have invasive small indian moongooses and raccoons at South America. They won't let this niche to opossums. I don’t think that the raccoon are imune to the snakes venom. Would the small Indian moongoose even reach the continent? I was thinking that this marsupial mangoose would live in the Atlantic forests, with another species in Cerrado. I would not lie, it would be cool if the mangoose were able to reach there. wovoka ïèøåò: North American opossums (Didelphis virginiana) eating rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and vipers. They have complete immunity to the venom of these snakes. Didelphis aurita can also eat serpents, including the Crotalus. They are tolerant to the venom. wovoka ïèøåò: the tapiryaura eats turtles, well, she bit the shell with her jaws, then what, she doesn’t chew the turtle along with the shell, how does she pick out the meat? I thought that they would eat them like the crocodiles. The Tapiraiauara would catch the turtle, them crush the shell to have access to the meat inside it.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: I thought that they would eat them like the crocodiles. The Tapiraiauara would catch the turtle, them crush the shell to have access to the meat inside it. I understand! So what do you think about add Didelphis marsupialis to the chapter of Maracaibo, he'll be eating water rattlesnakes in the Gulf and became like water opossum (yapok) and call him Parana-aware (sea opossum in carib)? And let choose some fishes for the Gulf from the list of Venezuela fishes https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/country/CountryChecklist.php?showAll=yes&what=list&trpp=50&c_code=862&cpresence=Reported&sortby=alpha2&ext_CL=on&ext_pic=on&vhabitat=fresh
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: So what do you think about add Didelphis marsupialis to the chapter of Maracaibo, he'll be eating water rattlesnakes in the Gulf and became like water opossum (yapok) and call him Parana-aware (sea opossum in carib)? This is good idea! It could be a subfamily of opossums that became mongoose-like and specialized in hunting vipers. We could have an aquatic genus while the others are terrestrial. I was thinking about what ëÿãóøêà said, and perhaps the mangoose could enter in South America. It would need to happen through oceanic dispersal, with the mongoose moving from the islands to the continent. It's a possibility during the Ice Age, with the sea level being low. With time, these moongose could spread through coastal forests and later the Cerrado, taking the niche of a hunter of venomous serpents and arthropods (Scorpions, centipedes and spiders). It could also be a subfamily, with an aquatic one hunting water rattlesnakes in the Gulf (perhaps even vagrants of sea serpents) and being like Atilax paludinosus, while the rest of the animals would be more like traditional mongooses, perhaps better in climbing trees to hunt vipers living there. Of course, they would eat the occasional bird, lizard, rodent and more rarely sweet fruits. Maybe there is an Amazonian species that can even eat venomous frogs. Do you think that the mongoose dispersion could happen this way? We could use them rather than the opossum. An interesting name for both mongoose and opossum would be Tymbacarumboi. It's formed by three words of Guarani language: Tymba-Animal, Caru-eat, Mboi-snake. The animal that eat snakes.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: And let choose some fishes for the Gulf from the list of Venezuela fishes https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/country/CountryChecklist.php?showAll=yes&what=list&trpp=50&c_code=862&cpresence=Reported&sortby=alpha2&ext_CL=on&ext_pic=on&vhabitat=fresh I think that we could use the Abramites hypselonotus, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: This is good idea! It could be a subfamily of opossums that became mongoose-like and specialized in hunting vipers. We could have an aquatic genus while the others are terrestrial. I was thinking about what ëÿãóøêà said, and perhaps the mangoose could enter in South America. It would need to happen through oceanic dispersal, with the mongoose moving from the islands to the continent. It's a possibility during the Ice Age, with the sea level being low. With time, these moongose could spread through coastal forests and later the Cerrado, taking the niche of a hunter of venomous serpents and arthropods (Scorpions, centipedes and spiders). It could also be a subfamily, with an aquatic one hunting water rattlesnakes in the Gulf (perhaps even vagrants of sea serpents) and being like Atilax paludinosus, while the rest of the animals would be more like traditional mongooses, perhaps better in climbing trees to hunt vipers living there. Of course, they would eat the occasional bird, lizard, rodent and more rarely sweet fruits. Maybe there is an Amazonian species that can even eat venomous frogs. Do you think that the mongoose dispersion could happen this way? We could use them rather than the opossum. An interesting name for both mongoose and opossum would be Tymbacarumboi. It's formed by three words of Guarani language: Tymba-Animal, Caru-eat, Mboi-snake. The animal that eat snakes. This all is good idea, but whom we are settling to the Gulf: aquatic opossum or aquatic mongoose? I preffer opossum. JOrnitho ïèøåò: I think that we could use the Abramites hypselonotus, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi. Good choise! Will you describe them!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: This all is good idea, but whom we are settling to the Gulf: aquatic opossum or aquatic mongoose? I preffer opossum. What do you think if we have the water opossum living in the Maracaibo gulf and the mongoose being located in the other areas of South America (South America, Amazon and Cerrado)?
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho water opossum Marsiupals can't be semi-aquatic animals because their bag need to be winded up, and embryo can't breath underwater.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: Marsiupals can't be semi-aquatic animals because their bag need to be winded up, and embryo can't breath underwater. Well, South America already have a semi-aquatic marsupial: Chironectes minimus (click here) There is also the genus Lutreolina (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutreolina), which can occasionally be semi-aquatic.
wovoka: Have you head about Chironectes minimus?
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho, wovoka No, I haven't. I'm not good at marsiupals.
wovoka: Even kangaroo and koala can swim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK8_090B9nY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etcmrKwvAok That's why can be periods they can live a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: What do you think if we have the water opossum living in the Maracaibo gulf and the mongoose being located in the other areas of South America (South America, Amazon and Cerrado)? Ok! Will you describe the Maracaibo fishes?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Will you describe the Maracaibo fishes? Yes, I'll work on it! Any suggestion for new characteristics for these fishes?
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho What fishes? But i have ideas - toxic catfish, monkfish-like one and own species of characin pike in this lake.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: What fishes? But i have ideas - toxic catfish, monkfish-like one and own species of characin pike in this lake. These fishes: Abramites hypselonotus, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Abramites hypselonotus I don't know what we can do with "headstanders". I thing that they are not interesting and haven't big evolutionary potential because of concurention with other animals in this niche. Hydrolycus tatauaia They're already specialised and might not have significant changes in neocene. only if they survive. Ageneiosus magoi This fish can evolve at ~150 cm long pelagic opportunistic predator thet slighty resemble shark on its appearence. Paracheirodon axelrodi What we can do with them? I have no idea.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: I don't know what we can do with "headstanders". I thing that they are not interesting and haven't big evolutionary potential because of concurention with other animals in this niche. What do you think if we replace it with a Cichlidae (maybe Acaronia) and turns it into an analogue to the archerfish (Toxotes)? ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: They're already specialised and might not have significant changes in neocene. only if they survive Maybe replace them with Acestrorhynchus nasutus or another smaller representative of the same genus and turn it into a predator like the pike (Esox) or tigerfish (Hydrocynus)? It could jump to catch birds while they fly. ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: This fish can evolve at ~150 cm long pelagic opportunistic predator thet slighty resemble shark on its appearence. I like it! ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: What we can do with them? I have no idea. They could be schooling fishes of the chapter, with males being more colorful than the females.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho What do you think if we replace it with a Cichlidae I don't think it is good idea, because headstanders aren't endangered and rather ecologicacally flexible. archerfish (Toxotes) i think archerfish-like cichlid is unusual'but not impossible! I think it is good idea! Maybe replace them with Acestrorhynchus nasutus or another smaller representative of the same genus and turn it into a predator like the pike (Esox) or tigerfish (Hydrocynus)? It could jump to catch birds while they fly. I think replacement of dogtooth tetras by asterorhynchids is realistic idea. But also it can be characin pike-like lebiasinids in the lake. They could be schooling fishes of the chapter, with males being more colorful than the females. Good idea!
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: I think replacement of dogtooth tetras by asterorhynchids is realistic idea. But also it can be characin pike-like lebiasinids in the lake. Perhaps the asterorhynchids are located on the nearby rivers. wovoka Do you think that the ancestor of the aquatic opossum could be the Lutreolina? They already have occasional semiaquatic tendencies and also eat serpents. I also thought that it could have some relatives in the fast running rivers in montainous areas of the Atlantic forests, this way not competing with otterodents.
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Do you think that the ancestor of the aquatic opossum could be the Lutreolina? Îê! I'll try to finish the description of water rattlesnake tomorrow!
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: I'll try to finish the description of water rattlesnake tomorrow! Ok! I'm still in doubt about the serpent eaters. From a side, I think that a group of Dasyuridae-like opossums that are close relatives of the Neocene marten opossum would be interesting. However, the idea of the mongoose dispersing to South America and becoming specialized in hunting venomous and poisonous animals is also interesting. What do you think that is more interesting and plausible?
wovoka: Both ideas are interesting! But I'm supporter of evolution of aboriginal animals. That's why Dasyuridae-like opossums I like more. But we can also try to divide South America between these to groups of animals: opossums and mongooses: by geography, by proportions, by way of life, by diet and so on. For example we can give the Andes to the mongooses and pampas to opossums. We can even may try to make a chapter about coexistence and competition in the same territory of mongooses and opposums.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: But we can also try to divide South America between these to groups of animals: opossums and mongooses: by geography, by proportions, by way of life, by diet and so on. For example we can give the Andes to the mongooses and pampas to opossums. We can even may try to make a chapter about coexistence and competition in the same territory of mongooses and opposums. I like these ideas! Mongooses are diurnal and opossums are mostly nocturnal. The mongoose could have remained in the Amazon and the Andes, while the opossums are present in the Atlantic forests, Cerrado and pampas. These two groups could overlap in the areas of transition between these biomes, but they would forage in different periods of time. What do you think?
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho I think it's not very good ideas, because moongooses are better adapted and more progressive. So, they'll jccupy most terrestrial niches and leave only trees and specialised nixhes to opossums. So, we can make many gliding ond arboreal opossums, bet not terrestrial or aqatic.
JOrnitho: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: I think it's not very good ideas, because moongooses are better adapted and more progressive. So, they'll jccupy most terrestrial niches and leave only trees and specialised nixhes to opossums. So, we can make many gliding ond arboreal opossums, bet not terrestrial or aqatic. Ok, so the mongoose are more plausible. Do you think that the populations introduced on Trinidad e Tobago could reach the continent? The island is close enough. The marsupials would stay as mostly arboreal and nocturnal.
ëÿãóøêà: JOrnitho Yes, I think they're close enough.
wovoka: ëÿãóøêà ïèøåò: because moongooses are better adapted and more progressive For example some opossums can eat more quick snakes that couldn't eat mongosses, opossums are less likely to get rabies. But ok, we can make a lot of species of marsupial group of Dasyuridae-like opossums that are close relatives of the Neocene marten opossum, let they be mostly arboreal and nocturnal. But we can make a couple of species of nocturnal terresrial species with specified diet and one or two aquatic species (maybe water snake eating species) of opossums somewere in the South lakes of South America: in Fagnano Lake or in General Carrera Lake. The other terestrial and aquatic nishes we can give to the mongooses. For example the niche of water rattlesnake eater in Maracaibo. Or we can just keep mongooses out of South America. Explaining this by their extinction from rabies to Neocene in this region. And create a unique order of South American opossums, occupying a variety of niches. I would just like to make South America another biodiversity site for marsupials, just like Australia. And the adaptive radiation of mongooses can be dealt with somewhere in Southeast Asia. Some mountain mongoose-bear there would be very interesting.
ëÿãóøêà: wovoka And create a unique order of South American opossums, occupying a variety of niches. It's very good idea for world after next K/Pg-sized exctinction, but not for Neocene. I think in stable world placentals will be more successful than marsiupals. Explaining this by their extinction from rabies If it's explanation, why placentals are still alive?! They can be attacked by rabies!!! I'm against this explanition, it's author's arbitrariness! Àustralia uis already was unrealistic left for marsiupals, why you need to do it with South America?
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Or we can just keep mongooses out of South America. Explaining this by their extinction from rabies to Neocene in this region. And create a unique order of South American opossums, occupying a variety of niches. Mongooses in this regard are not so interesting; they have already demonstrated all their capabilities in Africa and South Asia. Although mongooses can evoluate mongooses in Central America, they were also introduced there in some places. Some mountain mongoose-bear in Central America would be interesting. I agree with it, the idea of specialized opossums is more interesting. The mongooses of Trinidad could have died with sickness, leaving only the populations of the other Caribbean Islands. This way, they could only reach Central America. In South America, a sister-genus of the marten opossum had evolved with a Dasyuridae-like appearence and with taste for venomous and poisonous animals. A non related species could be the fully semiaquatic descendants of the Lutreolina in areas not colonized by otterodents. With the mongoose in Central America, we could have that bear-like species and perhaps even some living in groups in the Mexican plateau, like suricates.
JOrnitho: JOrnitho ïèøåò: If it's explanation, why placentals are still alive?! They can be attacked by rabies!!! I'm against this explanition, it's author's arbitrariness! Àustralia uis already was unrealistic left for marsiupals, why you need to do it with South America? We also need to take in consinderation that even after the arrival of the placentals in South America, the marsupials survived. This is why I proposed the diference in period of foraging between the mongooses and opossums, or even the case of the mongooses only having reached Northern South America, not having crossed the Amazon and Hippolyte Rivers yet. These two bodies of water could be biogeographic barriers. There is also the case that the marten opossum is already a "canonical" species in the project, so the mongoose presence can't contradict it.
JOrnitho: wovoka What animals we still need for the Maracaibo Gulf chapter? I can make the description of the semiaquatic opossum if we are going to add it.
wovoka: I am finishing the description of asakaimo. When I finish, then it will be possible to describe a water opossum that eats snakes. Then I will finish writing two turtles. And we haven't finished with the fishes. I still need to come up with names for the fishes. Can you please make the last list of fishes species you have chosen? And only then, it will be possible to work on the chapter. About the confrontation between mongooses and opossums. It would not be sad, but it is worth agreeing with Ëÿãóøêà. We can really come up with about 9 species of descendants of the Javanese mongoose from the Caribbean islands, for different regions of South America, mainly diurnal and terrestrial, occupying different econiches, we can make one water and one marsh species for the Amazon and one arboreal also for the Amazon, mount spesies for Andes, pampas species, desert species and so on. But taking into account that the ecological radiation of oppossums started earlier, we can describe much more species of oppossums also for different regions of South America (perhaps not only Martenodelphidae). Some of them are diurnal arboreal with different econiches. Some of them are terrestrial, but nocturnal, also with different econiches, maybe we can come up with some interesting forms of lifestyle and diet. It would be cool to come up with a spiny opossum like Echymipera clara from New Guinea. And make three kinds of water possums. For Maracaibo gulf let there be a descendant of Didelphis marsupialis, which will become aquatic like Chironectes minimus and snakes-eating, and call him Parana-aware (sea opossum in carib), for the lakes of General Carerra we will create a species of aquatic snake-eating opossum from Lutreolina crassicaudata and for Lake Fagnano we will create a predatory a semi-aquatic opossum from Lestodelphys halli, feeding on all aquatic and semi-aquatic, but not very large living creatures.
wovoka: JOrnitho, I have finished the description of Asakaimo http://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1680810271559-00000176-000-10001-0#050 - but in Russian
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Can you please make the last list of fishes species you have chosen? Abramites hypselonotus, Toxodes, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi. I'll work on their descroptions, using Ëÿãóøêà' s sugestions. wovoka ïèøåò: We can really come up with about 9 species of descendants of the Javanese mongoose from the Caribbean islands, for different regions of South America, mainly diurnal and terrestrial, occupying different econiches, we can make one water and one marsh species for the Amazon and one arboreal also for the Amazon, mount spesies for Andes, pampas species, desert species and so on. Amazon is perfect for a marsh mongoose. While it isn’t going to be an otter, it could hunt in swamp areas. Perhaps a mammal specialized in crushing snails and shellfishes. Another idea is the mongooses living in Cerrado being analogues to merkats. It’s a good habitat for such animals. More conservative forms could live in the the rainforests. wovoka ïèøåò: But taking into account that the ecological radiation of oppossums started earlier, we can describe much more species of oppossums also for different regions of South America (perhaps not only Martenodelphidae). Some of them are diurnal arboreal with different econiches. Some of them are terrestrial, but nocturnal, also with different econiches, maybe we can come up with some interesting forms of lifestyle and diet. It would be cool to come up with a spiny opossum like Echymipera clara from New Guinea. And make three kinds of water possums. For Maracaibo gulf let there be a descendant of Didelphis marsupialis, which will become aquatic like Chironectes minimus and snakes-eating, and call him Parana-aware (sea opossum in carib), for the lakes of General Carerra we will create a species of aquatic snake-eating opossum from Lutreolina crassicaudata and for Lake Fagnano we will create a predatory a semi-aquatic opossum from Lestodelphys halli, feeding on all aquatic and semi-aquatic, but not very large living creatures. I like these ideas! The spiny opossum is very ineresting. It could be nocturnal and frugivorous. wovoka ïèøåò: JOrnitho, I have finished the description of Asakaimo http://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-0-1680810271559-00000176-000-10001-0#050 - but in Russian It's a very good species! I like it!
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Abramites hypselonotus, Toxodes, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi. Ok, I'll look for good names for this fishes. JOrnitho ïèøåò: Perhaps a mammal specialized in crushing snails and shellfishes. Another idea is the mongooses living in Cerrado being analogues to merkats. I like the ideas. JOrnitho ïèøåò: It could be nocturnal and frugivorous. Or fungivourus JOrnitho ïèøåò: It's a very good species! I like it! Thank you! We can take a map of neocene South America identify geographic zones and determine in which zone and which niches mongooses can occupy, and which niches opossums can occupy.
JOrnitho: wovoka ïèøåò: Or fungivourus They could also be shrew-like. wovoka ïèøåò: We can take a map of neocene South America identify geographic zones and determine in which zone and which niches mongooses can occupy, and which niches opossums can occupy. Good idea! We can use the map of biomes that you posted here some time ago. The Cerrado and Gran Chaco are both possible places for the mongooses, they are similar to the savannas of Africa. Hence why I think that a meerkat-like species could live here.
wovoka: We can make the biggest mongoose-bear for Andes, he will be hunting on deers from the ambush, and the biggest opposum for the same place it'll be the scavenger and will be a little smaller and will follow at a respectful distance from the mongoose-bear, eating up the half-eaten remains of the deer after it and cracking the bones. It will be analogue of the Australian Gravipossum ursinus. Let there be also a descendant of Didelphis marsupialis. In some forrest we can settle arboreal monkey-eating mongoose.
ìåäâåäü: We can make the biggest mongoose-bear for Andes, he will be hunting on deers from the ambush, and the biggest opposum for the same place it'll be the scavenger and will be a little smaller and will follow at a respectful distance from the mongoose-bear, eating up the half-eaten remains of the deer after it and cracking the bones. It will be analogue of the Australian Gravipossum ursinus. Let there be also a descendant of Didelphis marsupialis. And what about the greater grison?
wovoka: ìåäâåäü ïèøåò: And what about the greater grison? We wanted to settle Sotaqui - bear like decsendent of lesser grison: hunting and gathering food along the banks of the rivers and lakes of Patagonia and in the wetlands around the rivers and lakes in the region of the General Carrera Lake it is Chilli and Argentina. Bear like mongoose and eating carrion after him bear like opposum can live in northern Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia).
wovoka: JOrnitho ïèøåò: Abramites hypselonotus, Toxodes, Hydrolycus tatauaia, Ageneiosus magoi and Paracheirodon axelrodi I haven't look at the first time. None of these fishes you have chosen live in Lake Maracaibo and they are all freshwater. Abramites hypselonotus Rio Orinoco Acaronia vultuosa Rio Orinoco and Rio Negro Hydrolycus tatauaia Rio Amazon, Rio Orinoco and Rio Essequibo Paracheirodon axelrodi Rio Orinoco and Rio Negro The only way for them to get into the Gulf of Maracaibo is to become a marine species and from the Orinoco Delta to get to the bay along the Caribbean coast. May be better take a look on these Maracaibo lake fishes: Austrofundulus limnaeus, Rachovia pyropunctata, Austrofundulus leohoignei, Caquetaia kraussii, Chaetostoma sovichthys, Ctenolucius hujeta? Geophagus steindachneri, Gilbertolus maracaiboensis, Hemiancistrus maracaiboensis. And these salt water fishes living near gulf Maracaibo: Acanthemblemaria spinosa, Bollmannia boqueronensis, Elacatinus chancei, Mullus auratus. What we can do with them? And the fishes you are describing now, can live in delta of Orinoco. Delta of Orinoco river it's also good place for one of the future chapters
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