Evolution creature

[Mystify]

I had an idea for a forum activity, inspired by exquisite beast.

Basic idea is that we will start with a basic creature, and incrementally evolve it over time. I will start us off with a creature, with an ID of A.
You then take one of the existing creatures(initially only A will exist) and take it a step forward in its evolution. You then append its ID with a new letter based on how many other people evolved that base.
For instance, we start with A. Three people create new evolutions of it, called AA, AB, and AC. If two more people make changes, once to AB and once to AC, then the total creature pool becomes A, AA, AB, AC, ABA, ACA. Try to pick creatures that are more advanced to evolve, while I expect several species to grow out of this, I would much rather have 3 or 4 highly developed ones than 50 creatures barely different from the original.
When evolving a creature, provide a picture of the changes, a description of the changes and what they do for the creature, as well as any changes in lifestyle habits it has.

I will compile these entries into a navigable tree of its evolutions, and eventually compile an overview of this genus.
You can submit as many creatures as you like, but you can only evolve a creature once, and you cannot evolve your own creature.

So, without further ado, Creature A:

Name: Siltsifter
ID : A

Description: The siltsifter is the common origin of many species. It is a bottom-feeder, who, as the name implies, likes to sift around in the mud at the bottom of oceans and lakes. It feeds on whatever organic matter it can stir up, and will bury itself in the mud for camouflage.


Edit:
I have set up the website to keep track of the evolutions
Creature Evolutions

[Riou]

So basically we just make changes to the creature and post the picture here?

[sub-program 32]

This does sound rather interesting!

[Crowstone]

How big are the changes we are supposed to make in one step, such as from A to AB?

I think its safe to say that all realistic changes will be acceptable, but how about unrealistic ones?
Can we expect creature ABHGKJLMZETC to have the ability to launch torpedos out of its eyes, control nuclear fusion, be made of stone iff people are looking at it, and/or go god-mode in the presence of yellow stellar radiation?

Are there going to be more base creatures later on than just the siltshifter (whether it be by you making a new base or letting other people make a new base)?

In other news, I think this has a very clever concept and look forward to seeing all the stuff that we come up with!

[Sinjin]

Why limit ourselves to simply ABC? LET'S USE THE FULL ALPHABET BABY! AQ

[Mystify]

So basically we just make changes to the creature and post the picture here?

Pretty much.

How big are the changes we are supposed to make in one step, such as from A to AB?

If you look at the exquisite creature posts I linked, that seem like a decent step size. There is a moderate amount of change in many aspect of the creature, but it is still clearly linked to the previous step.

I think its safe to say that all realistic changes will be acceptable, but how about unrealistic ones?
Can we expect creature ABHGKJLMZETC to have the ability to launch torpedos out of its eyes, control nuclear fusion, be made of stone iff people are looking at it, and/or go god-mode in the presence of yellow stellar radiation?

I don't want to place a giant list of constraints on it. If you can make it seem like a reasonable step from the previous iteration, then fine. If you just pull out superpowers from nowhere, then its kinda going against the spirit.

Are there going to be more base creatures later on than just the siltshifter (whether it be by you making a new base or letting other people make a new base)?

We'll see how this goes. If this becomes popular enough, then we may start additional creatures. However, those will probably be in their own thread.

Why limit ourselves to simply ABC? LET'S USE THE FULL ALPHABET BABY! AQ

You can use the full alphabet, but its best to keep the letters contiguous.
If we have creatures AG, AY, AV, AW, AP, and AC scattered across the entire thread, it becomes hard to keep track of which ones are used. If we end up with two different AQ strains, then it will really complicate my bookkeeping.

[insanityIncarnate]

Sure, I'll participate... Once I get my image stuffs back. >.>

[zyborg]

Siltsifter-AA

In the dark depths of the ocean, eyesight is not as effective a method of detection as it is on the surface. The Siltsifter has lost much of its eyesight in exchange for sensory organs on its stomach. These allow it to "scan" and "map" the bottom of the ocean, to find both food and threats.

[LBrayet]

Shocking Siltsifter-AB

To remain elusive, AB has developed a long, fanlike tail to hide any tracks left during a sift. The tail is also mildly electrified as to daze predators in pursuit.

[Mystify]

I like where these are going, and have added them to the site. I will try to post them there are soon as I can, so it should be fairly up to date.

[BenBen]

I am totally getting in on this gimme a sec

BTW, do they all have to have the same name?

EDIT:


Sandsifter - ABA

ABA has developed bigger stronger fins to push himself onto land in order to avoid predators in the water, and to sift through the sand for food. However, he still has gills, and so must constantly go back to the water to breathe.

[Mystify]

BTW, do they all have to have the same name?

No, they can have different names. Feel free to re-name it whenever you feel fit. In fact, I would encourage renaming, as it helps distinguish between them, other than a sea of ABAABAs.

[zyborg]

ABAA - The Slick-back Sandcrawler

The Slick-back Sandcrawler is an amphibian descended from the Sandsifter species. On top of its head is a blowhole-like nostril, which it uses to get oxygen to its recently-developed, primitive lungs, although it also has gills. This hole can be closed to prevent water from entering while swimming. Away from its nostril, certain pores produce a vile-tasting, slippery slime used to ward off predators and keep its body moist when out of the water. It's tail can deliver an electric shock, but only when in the water.

[Mystify]

ABBA - The Slick-back Sandcrawler

The Slick-back Sandcrawler is an amphibian descended from the Sandsifter species. On top of its head is a blowhole-like nostril, which it uses to get oxygen to its recently-developed, primitive lungs, although it also has gills. This hole can be closed to prevent water from entering while swimming. Away from its nostril, certain pores produce a vile-tasting, slippery slime used to ward off predators and keep its body moist when out of the water. It's tail can deliver an electric shock, but only when in the water.

This should be ABAA, not ABBA. We don't have a ABB creature.

[zyborg]

Fix'd

[Spikeball]

siltshifter-AAA

the eyes are completely Vestigial, has a higher density of sensory organs on its stomach, has smaller but multiple mouths for filtration of food, the tip of its "nose" hsa hardened for pushing small rocks out of the way when combing the ocean floor.

[BenBen]

Microshark (AC)

The basic slitshifter evolved into a carnivore, developing sharper teeth. It grew a bit larger, and so grew larger gills. It also developed a dorsal fin and a larger nostril to find it's prey easier.

(Apparently imgur does not like gifs)

[Flummox]

Spineshifter - AAAA

Skin has grown over the eyes from disuse. The nose has grown larger and more spade-like in order to make shifting easier, as well as a horn-like growth to help ward off predators. A row of venomous spines has been added to the back for the same purpose has the horn. The body has grown more sensory spots and become flatter to be more suited to a life on the bottom of the sea floor. With less of a need for great maneuverability, the tail has shrunk.

(Believe it or not, I was about to make the exact same evolution as spikeball before me, but he ninja'd me into it)

[dragonpaul99]

Platebacked Slitshifter - AAAB

The Siltshifter's hardened nose eventually spread over its entire body, with the exception of the mouths and sensory organs on its lower half. The eyes are now covered by a thick shell, rendering them functionally useless. The Plateback Slitshifter spends most of its life near the ocean floor, keeping its exposed underside relatively safe from predators.

[insanityIncarnate]

Beach-dwelling nerf - ABAB
The electrical node has shriveled away to almost nothing from disuse.
The creature has lost most of its gills and developed primative lungs, and so spends most of its time on land.
Its skin has darkened somewhat from increased exposure to the sun, giving a bit more resistance to sunlight, and a slightly leathery texture. However, it still needs to go back to the sea regularly for moisture, and needs to either burrow into the sand or lie about in the sea during the peak of the day.
It now also has primative digits to help with various tasks.

...R I doing it rite? >.>

[LBrayet]

Snapstraggler-ACA

Following the Microshark family line, the Snapstraggler has since moved to deeper waters, although not much deeper. It has developed large jaws which can snap shut in the blink of an eye. The shiny bauble hanging over its mouth is used to lure prey to their demise.

[Mystify]

Spineray
AAAAA
The spinesifter grew even more wide and flat, and the spinkes became more numerous. The eyes are completely gone, and the front horn has grown sharper and more elongated. The edges of its wings have also grown a hard covering, to protect it against predators trying to take a bite out of its sides. The sensory spots have become highly effective, and the mouth has widened to take advantage of the extra surface area.

[elitepastafa]

An evolutionary map of all the changes that were posted on the site.

[Mystify]

Thats cool. It should be fun to see what it looks like when we are all done.

[BenBen]

I love this game already drawing another one now.

EDIT:



Spark Slider (ABB)

Discovering the usefulness of the electrical node on the back of it's tail, it grew more, and a few around it's nose and mouth. It also grew an elongated dorsal fin, allowing it to move even better through the water with it's fan-like tail.

(whoops, just noticed some of the weed is behind his body but infront of his fin. XD)