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Below are some attempts at imagining what sort of plant life and other foreign organisms would be encountered in the Wilderness. First we start with real life forms found on Earth, and then we move to the speculative realm. | Below are some attempts at imagining what sort of plant life and other foreign organisms would be encountered in the Wilderness. First we start with real life forms found on Earth, and then we move to the speculative realm. | ||
==Strange life forms== | ==Strange life forms== | ||
{{Pullquote|On and on it goes. It seems the more you learn, the less and less and less and less and less you know.|2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlG0aMXLOjU Apollo Sunshine, "The Egg"]}} | {{Pullquote|On and on it goes. It seems the more you learn, the less and less and less and less and less you know.|2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlG0aMXLOjU Apollo Sunshine, "The Egg"]}} | ||
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*The [[wp:Utricularia|bladderwort]] has a complex vacuum-powered flushing trap that catches bugs instantly. | *The [[wp:Utricularia|bladderwort]] has a complex vacuum-powered flushing trap that catches bugs instantly. | ||
*One carnivorous plant, [https:// | *One carnivorous plant, [https://www.livescience.com/20192-carnivorous-plants-employ-bodyguard-ants.html Nepenthes Bicalcarata], has bodyguard ants. | ||
====Motile plants==== | ====Motile plants==== | ||
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*The female [http://web.archive.org/web/20160922005319/http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Tremoctopus blanket octopus] wears a long skirt. | *The female [http://web.archive.org/web/20160922005319/http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Tremoctopus blanket octopus] wears a long skirt. | ||
*[[wp: | *[[wp:Siphonophore|Siphonophores]] are beautiful and totally alien-looking. Make sure to look at Praya dubia. Man o' wars are also part of this order. | ||
*[[wp:Labidiaster annulatus|Labidiaster annulatus]], a giant 50-armed predatory sea star. | *[[wp:Labidiaster annulatus|Labidiaster annulatus]], a giant 50-armed predatory sea star. | ||
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*The giant larvacean [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1wFb_ShW7k Bathochordaeus] features in this video which has a bit of ADD and also shows us other weird marine life. | *The giant larvacean [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1wFb_ShW7k Bathochordaeus] features in this video which has a bit of ADD and also shows us other weird marine life. | ||
*Northern stargazers may not do anything amazing, but they [https://staticr1. | *Northern stargazers may not do anything amazing, but they [https://staticr1.blastingcdncf.com/media/photogallery/2016/7/10/660x290/b_502x220/northern-stargazer-photo-2photo-ru_781169.jpg sure are frightening]. | ||
*The [[wp:Tasselled wobbegong|tasselled wobbegong]] proves that camouflage in nature is a terrifying thing. | *The [[wp:Tasselled wobbegong|tasselled wobbegong]] proves that camouflage in nature is a terrifying thing. | ||
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*Similarly, the [https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/zombie-worms-crave-bone zombie worm] has no mouth or stomach; it grows roots into whale bones to feed. | *Similarly, the [https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/zombie-worms-crave-bone zombie worm] has no mouth or stomach; it grows roots into whale bones to feed. | ||
*Bryde's Whale (pronounced "broodus") is [https://us.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/07/brydes-whale-jirayu-tour-ekkul-sg-2000x1333.jpg normally pretty skinny], until it wants to [http://web.archive.org/web/20140905185006/http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/alien-like-creature-is-a-feeding-brydes-whale/ swallow a school of fish…]. | *Bryde's Whale (pronounced "broodus") is [https://web.archive.org/web/20230429035220/https://us.whales.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/07/brydes-whale-jirayu-tour-ekkul-sg-2000x1333.jpg normally pretty skinny], until it wants to [http://web.archive.org/web/20140905185006/http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/alien-like-creature-is-a-feeding-brydes-whale/ swallow a school of fish…]. | ||
*The [[wp:Gymnotiformes|knifefish]] emits an electrical field which it uses for sensing prey, possibly communicating, and for stunning prey (one knifefish is better known as the "electric eel"). | *The [[wp:Gymnotiformes|knifefish]] emits an electrical field which it uses for sensing prey, possibly communicating, and for stunning prey (one knifefish is better known as the "electric eel"). | ||
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====Insects==== | ====Insects==== | ||
*The question mark butterfly's [https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/bfly2/question_mark07.jpg frightening caterpillar form] has maxed out its defense stat. It also has the awesome Latin name Polygonia interrogationis. Also see the [[wp:Spiny oak slug|spiny oak slug]] and the [[wp:File:Stinging Rose caterpillars, Megan McCarty65.jpg|hag moth caterpillar]]. | *The question mark butterfly's [https://web.archive.org/web/20241007191728/https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/bfly2/question_mark07.jpg frightening caterpillar form] has maxed out its defense stat. It also has the awesome Latin name Polygonia interrogationis. Also see the [[wp:Spiny oak slug|spiny oak slug]] and the [[wp:File:Stinging Rose caterpillars, Megan McCarty65.jpg|hag moth caterpillar]]. | ||
*The American dagger moth is named for [https://bugguide.net/images/cache/H06/0K0/H060K0E0YQKQBRZQNRKQYRSQYRZQBRJKCQYKWRFKCRN0R0P0YR60L0SQH07QZ0SQYRU0ORYKARI0WRZQOQ80VRJK.jpg its larval form], which looks dangerous because it is; touching it causes a skin reaction similar to that from a stinging nettle. | *The American dagger moth is named for [https://www.bugguide.net/images/cache/H06/0K0/H060K0E0YQKQBRZQNRKQYRSQYRZQBRJKCQYKWRFKCRN0R0P0YR60L0SQH07QZ0SQYRU0ORYKARI0WRZQOQ80VRJK.jpg its larval form], which looks dangerous because it is; touching it causes a skin reaction similar to that from a stinging nettle. | ||
*The [[wp:Cycnia tenera|dogbane tiger moth]] or delicate cycnia has learned how to make clicking noises that warn bats not to eat them (they'll taste bad). | *The [[wp:Cycnia tenera|dogbane tiger moth]] or delicate cycnia has learned how to make clicking noises that warn bats not to eat them (they'll taste bad). | ||
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*The [https://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2015/1/5/doubling-down-on-defense-the-polka-dot-wasp-moth-isyntomeida-epilaisi polka-dot wasp moth] looks dangerous as a caterpillar but does no harm. It looks even more dangerous as an adult, appearing to be a wasp (and developing danger markings) in order to fool predators. Like many moths, it only eats one or two plants, mainly oleander, but its native food may be the devil's potato plant, from which it picks up cardiac glycosides for defensive purposes. | *The [https://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2015/1/5/doubling-down-on-defense-the-polka-dot-wasp-moth-isyntomeida-epilaisi polka-dot wasp moth] looks dangerous as a caterpillar but does no harm. It looks even more dangerous as an adult, appearing to be a wasp (and developing danger markings) in order to fool predators. Like many moths, it only eats one or two plants, mainly oleander, but its native food may be the devil's potato plant, from which it picks up cardiac glycosides for defensive purposes. | ||
*The white satin moth [https://bugguide.net/images/raw/OHW/HLR/OHWHLR8HZREHYHNHHR4LVZUHVZIL8ZLLPZRLCHIHCHXHCH9HYHMLNZNH9ZUHZRNHBZSLAHZLAHIHGZ.jpg is] [https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/bamona_images/2011-0630_0.jpg just] [https://www.mindenpictures.com/cache/pcache2/80168856.jpg gorgeous]. | *The white satin moth [https://www.bugguide.net/images/raw/OHW/HLR/OHWHLR8HZREHYHNHHR4LVZUHVZIL8ZLLPZRLCHIHCHXHCH9HYHMLNZNH9ZUHZRNHBZSLAHZLAHIHGZ.jpg is] [https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/bamona_images/2011-0630_0.jpg just] [https://www.mindenpictures.com/cache/pcache2/80168856.jpg gorgeous]. | ||
*Adorable in [https://featuredcreature.com/from-dangerous-fluff-to-bunny-stuff/ larval form], it's surprising that we don't raise the adult [https://www.flickr.com/photos/34154526@N07/4674281745/ flannel moth] for its fur! | *Adorable in [https://featuredcreature.com/from-dangerous-fluff-to-bunny-stuff/ larval form], it's surprising that we don't raise the adult [https://www.flickr.com/photos/34154526@N07/4674281745/ flannel moth] for its fur! | ||
*If there's one thing in nature, above any others, that absolutely screams Do Not Touch Me, it's the [https://i2.wp.com/ugaurbanag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/saddleback.jpg saddleback caterpillar]. If it looks they have a painful sting, it's because they totally do; read the list of potential effects of touching one [[wp:Saddleback caterpillar|here]]. | *If there's one thing in nature, above any others, that absolutely screams Do Not Touch Me, it's the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210410211351/https://i2.wp.com/ugaurbanag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/saddleback.jpg saddleback caterpillar]. If it looks they have a painful sting, it's because they totally do; read the list of potential effects of touching one [[wp:Saddleback caterpillar|here]]. | ||
*The assassin bug [https://www.arkinspace.com/2012/05/assassin-bug-malaysias-macabre.html wears the skeletons] of its victims like a trophy. | *The assassin bug [https://www.arkinspace.com/2012/05/assassin-bug-malaysias-macabre.html wears the skeletons] of its victims like a trophy. | ||
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*"One thing that remains is our language. But amazingly complex behaviours — culture, tool use, social interaction — we see all of this in the animal kingdom." ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9417000/9417308.stm BBC]) | *"One thing that remains is our language. But amazingly complex behaviours — culture, tool use, social interaction — we see all of this in the animal kingdom." ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9417000/9417308.stm BBC]) | ||
*"Both types of fish, grouper and coral trout, are known for hunting cooperatively with other kinds of animals. Whereas the [https://www.livescience.com/9415-amazing-species-cooperate-hunt.html grouper hunts with giant moray eels] and a fish called the Napoleon wrasse, coral trout partner up with octopuses to snag prey. A study published last week in the journal Nature Communications found that the fish are able to "point" their heads toward prey, to help out their hunting buddies." ([https://www. | *"Both types of fish, grouper and coral trout, are known for hunting cooperatively with other kinds of animals. Whereas the [https://www.livescience.com/9415-amazing-species-cooperate-hunt.html grouper hunts with giant moray eels] and a fish called the Napoleon wrasse, coral trout partner up with octopuses to snag prey. A study published last week in the journal Nature Communications found that the fish are able to "point" their heads toward prey, to help out their hunting buddies." ([https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna51702422 Yahoo! News]) | ||
*What if language was granted by some means? How would it add to their capacity for complex behavior or cooperative learning? Some animals already pass tool use on to subsequent generations; see the "sponge dolphins" and [http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9125000/9125227.stm New Caledonian crows]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8388000/8388073.stm Brown-necked ravens] who are not even part of a social group can spontaneously hunt a lizard using self-assigned roles. Individual New Caledonian crows and rooks can [https://archive.ph/eiaD solve puzzles] involving multiple steps or water displacement. Of course, animals can also be raised together and think of themselves as the same kind — see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igQRWZJklIo tiger + dog], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnZSTkycovg dog + deer], and [https://archive.ph/tzCX hippo + tortoise]. Also see a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAGzY9rnaA crow raising a cat] and a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dug70HBEgaM hawk feeding a dog]. ([https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animal-odd-couples-meet-the-odd-couples/8025/ PBS, "Animal Odd Couples"]) | *What if language was granted by some means? How would it add to their capacity for complex behavior or cooperative learning? Some animals already pass tool use on to subsequent generations; see the "sponge dolphins" and [http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9125000/9125227.stm New Caledonian crows]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8388000/8388073.stm Brown-necked ravens] who are not even part of a social group can spontaneously hunt a lizard using self-assigned roles. Individual New Caledonian crows and rooks can [https://archive.ph/eiaD solve puzzles] involving multiple steps or water displacement. Of course, animals can also be raised together and think of themselves as the same kind — see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igQRWZJklIo tiger + dog], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnZSTkycovg dog + deer], and [https://archive.ph/tzCX hippo + tortoise]. Also see a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAGzY9rnaA crow raising a cat] and a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dug70HBEgaM hawk feeding a dog]. ([https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animal-odd-couples-meet-the-odd-couples/8025/ PBS, "Animal Odd Couples"]) | ||
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*Psychology Today: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201006/are-humans-the-only-animals-that-keep-pets Are Humans the Only Animals to Keep Pets?]. | *Psychology Today: [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animals-and-us/201006/are-humans-the-only-animals-that-keep-pets Are Humans the Only Animals to Keep Pets?]. | ||
*[https://abcnews | *[https://abcnews.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/dogs-use-subway-cat-takes-bus-and-other-adventures-in-animal-intelligence/ How smart] [http://web.archive.org/web/20230329223241/https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/when-meeting-up-at-sea-bottlenose-dolphins-exchange-name-like-whistles are] [https://abcnews.com/blogs/technology/2012/01/who-needs-words-crows-you-wild-gorillas-alison-krauss/ animals], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GOb3nFpewM really]? Their language use shouldn't be underestimated, seeing as even prairie dogs seem to possess a highly-specific way to describe threats. Exceptional individuals: [[wp:Kanzi|Kanzi]] ([https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/speaking-bonobo-134931541/ 2nd article]), [[wp:Cholla (horse)|Cholla]], [[wp:Washoe (chimpanzee)|Washoe]], [[wp:Alex (parrot)|Alex]], [[wp:N'kisi|N'kisi]], [[wp:Koko (gorilla)|Koko]]. See also [[wp:Tool use by non-humans|tool use by animals]]. | ||
*Dolphins play by making bubble rings, and whales can hunt using bubble nets. Green Herons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Porp5v5lLKk use bait] to catch fish. | *Dolphins play by making bubble rings, and whales can hunt using bubble nets. Green Herons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Porp5v5lLKk use bait] to catch fish. | ||
*How much do animals really understand? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opd6XhyV310 | *How much do animals really understand? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opd6XhyV310 This (baby?) shark] grabs a morsel from a girl's fingers without even scratching her. Dolphins [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgJl4bONOqc understand mirrors] at least as early as human children. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHCiBqcWJU This cow] knows how to unlock a gate and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ird-5pVPO8&t=25 this one] knows how to use a water pump. | ||
*Animals showing compassion and/or surprising comprehension towards humans: [http://web.archive.org/web/20230615001853/http://old.post-gazette.com/neigh_west/20020409lulu0409p1.asp Pig saves owner], [https://archive.ph/djAsP horse saves owner], [https://web.archive.org/web/20040629100801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/3441337.stm rabbit saves owner], [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202941/Pictured-The-moment-Mila-brave-Beluga-whale-saved-stricken-divers-life-pushing-surface.html beluga whale saves diver], dolphins [https://web.archive.org/web/20171213051543/https://www.today.com/news/dolphins-save-surfer-becoming-sharks-bait-2D80555123 save a surfer] and [https://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=51079184603 save a diver], [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1328806/Dick-Van-Dyke-Pod-porpoises-saved-I-fell-asleep-surfboard.html porpoises save Dick Van Dyke]. | *Animals showing compassion and/or surprising comprehension towards humans: [http://web.archive.org/web/20230615001853/http://old.post-gazette.com/neigh_west/20020409lulu0409p1.asp Pig saves owner], [https://archive.ph/djAsP horse saves owner], [https://web.archive.org/web/20040629100801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/3441337.stm rabbit saves owner], [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202941/Pictured-The-moment-Mila-brave-Beluga-whale-saved-stricken-divers-life-pushing-surface.html beluga whale saves diver], dolphins [https://web.archive.org/web/20171213051543/https://www.today.com/news/dolphins-save-surfer-becoming-sharks-bait-2D80555123 save a surfer] and [https://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=51079184603 save a diver], [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1328806/Dick-Van-Dyke-Pod-porpoises-saved-I-fell-asleep-surfboard.html porpoises save Dick Van Dyke]. | ||
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*[[wp:Embodied cognition|Embodied cognition]]. | *[[wp:Embodied cognition|Embodied cognition]]. | ||
*[ | *[https://web.mit.edu/nnf/publications/GHM172.pdf Microrheometry of Sub-Nanoliter Biopolymer Samples: Non-Newtonian Flow Phenomena of Carnivorous Plant Mucilage]. | ||
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20211209082111/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199611143352004 Contagious cancer]. | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20211209082111/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199611143352004 Contagious cancer]. | ||
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*[[wp:Microsatellite|Microsatellite (genetics)]]. | *[[wp:Microsatellite|Microsatellite (genetics)]]. | ||
*The human microbiome contains 10,000 species, and about 100 times as many genes as "humans" themselves have (see [https:// | *The human microbiome contains 10,000 species, and about 100 times as many genes as "humans" themselves have; their cells outnumber our human cells by 10 to 1 (see [https://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp Human Microbiome Project], [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/11/01/242361826/exploring-the-invisible-universe-that-lives-on-us-and-in-us/ NPR animation]). | ||
*Bacteria can communicate and collaborate using [https://phys.org/news/2017-01-bacteria-species-long-range-electrical.html electricity]! | *Bacteria can communicate and collaborate using [https://phys.org/news/2017-01-bacteria-species-long-range-electrical.html electricity]! | ||
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*[https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2633676/ Fetal microchimeric cells]. | *[https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2633676/ Fetal microchimeric cells]. | ||
*[[wp:Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency|STAP cells]] would have been maybe the most important genetic discovery | *[[wp:Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency|STAP cells]] would have been maybe the most important genetic discovery ever… if it wasn't a hoax! The suggestion that cells could become totipotent by simply being immersed in weak acid was eerily reminiscent of [[:Image:Chapter_12_.MISSION_COMPLETE.png|a certain splashscreen]]. | ||
*[[wp:Tobacco mosaic virus|Tobacco mosaic virus]]: "Due to its cylindrical high aspect ratio, self-assembling nature, and ability to incorporate metal coatings (nickel and cobalt) into its shell, TMV is an ideal candidate to be incorporated into battery electrodes." | *[[wp:Tobacco mosaic virus|Tobacco mosaic virus]]: "Due to its cylindrical high aspect ratio, self-assembling nature, and ability to incorporate metal coatings (nickel and cobalt) into its shell, TMV is an ideal candidate to be incorporated into battery electrodes." | ||
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==Neo-Agriculture== | ==Neo-Agriculture== | ||
'''Neo-Agriculture''' is a placeholder term for the act of adapting the Wilderness to the world of humans. The working assumption is that the Wilderness is primarily composed of plants, both extraterrestrial (from across the "phase veil") and perhaps mutated Earth plants. Some time after the events of Oni, some scientists are working at finding a way to live alongside the hostile life of the Wilderness, akin to Princess [[Nausicaa]]. This is as opposed to the [[wp:Slash-and-burn|slash-and-burn]] approach that some are taking towards the encroaching wildlife, and also opposed to the idea of giving everyone Chrysalises so they can adapt to the Wilderness. | '''Neo-Agriculture''' is a placeholder term for the act of adapting the Wilderness to the world of humans. The working assumption is that the Wilderness is primarily composed of plants, both extraterrestrial (from across the "phase veil") and perhaps mutated Earth plants. Some time after the events of Oni, some scientists are working at finding a way to live alongside the hostile life of the Wilderness, akin to Princess [[Nausicaa]]. This is as opposed to the [[wp:Slash-and-burn agriculture|slash-and-burn]] approach that some are taking towards the encroaching wildlife, and also opposed to the idea of giving everyone Chrysalises so they can adapt to the Wilderness. | ||
[[Category:Oni 2]] | [[Category:Oni 2]] | ||