NU:AMAM Case studies - Draconology

Draconolgy is the study of Neo Earths Neofauna that fall under the category of Ryu. Ryu are the most diverse yet complex species that originate from a stem ancestry, derived from the skeletal remains of a prehistoric ancestor the academy calls Archaeodrako rex, ‘Elder dragon king’. It’s solely due to this mysterious ancestor it is uncertain whether Ryu stem from a whole new strain that sets them apart from Neofauna or are the byproduct of Eohumans that being Dragons.

Amphitheres

The Amphithere are Ryu that derive from elapid snakes in which they are limbless but volant species. The vertebral hood that interconnects with their ribs are now dramatically stretched, completely hollow & are webbed in a thin yet tensile membrane that lines from each side. Amphitheres use a method of flight that is a combination of flapping & fin undulation formation as a means of even distribution & balancing acting both as propulsion & rudder. These Ryu are of the Leviathan class.

Dracolisks

Dracolisks are Ryu that derive from Agamid lizards in which they are recognised as the only species in the entirety of Neo earth as a Tripedal organism. The forearms of the draconid has over time migrated to the breastbone of the Ryu in which through the years developed into a fusion of both to create a singular limb, this assists the draconid to perform feats for climbing, defence & overall balance. Through locomotion the Dracolisk is predominantly bipedal as a means of sprinting or trotting however through surveying its surroundings or walking the Ryu uses this arm as a crutch as well as a means of navigating through the environment. Dracolisks are predominantly behemoths.

Drakes

Drakes are Ryu that are derived from Varanid lizards but also exhibit traits of extinct archosaurs, they a classified as a species notable for being wingless & quadrupedal. Through ecological niche partitioning dependent on the conditions of their surroundings Drakes sacrificed their ability to fly & relinquished their need for a full aquatic lifestyle to become fully terrestrial, adapted to become overall powerhouses or specialists to fit the roles in their ecosystem. Despite appearing reptilian Drakes are mesotherms in which they blur the lines becoming both warm & cold blooded depending on the alternating harshness of their surroundings. All Drakes are behemoths.

Lindwyrms

Lindwyrms are Ryu that derives from various species of squamates however in some breeds developed mammalian traits particularly fur, endothermic regulation & viviparous birth, they are characterised by possessing two forearms that functions for both manipulation, defensive capabilities & of course locomotion, however as all lindorm forms Lindwyrms are devoid of a hindlimb structure in which their tail now acts as support for balance & manoeuvrability. Most Lindwyrms are semi aquatic in nature, burrowers or even arboreal specialists in which they eliminate themselves from being runners as their elongated tails creates drag. All Lindwyrms fall under the category of Leviathans.

Wyrms

Wyrms are Ryu that derives from squamates but possess traits from amphibians & piscine organisms, they are classified lacking wings or limbs. Most breeds are completely aquatic or semi aquatic due to possessing gills or semi permeable skin, however others as specialists swim through mediums such as lava or sand. Wyrms utilise a lateral undulation both beneath & above the medium but heavily varies in speed & manoeuvrability depending on each breed, some like the Ice Wyrm are generally swift underwater but become slower above the ice & the Earthwyrm while slow above the sand underground it’s limited to a direct charge rather than fluid manoeuvrability. All Wyrms are Leviathans.

Wyverns

Wyverns are Ryu that derived from a viperine origin however their appearance displays heavily upon avian traits ranging from beaks to feathers, they are noticeably known for being bipedal & having wings instead of forearms much akin to that of birds. Due to the similarities between these Ziz & birds Wyverns are anatomically similar being predominantly volant, possessing hollow bones to reduce overall weight, larger chest muscles to power downstrokes, an airfoil wing structure enabling lift generating pressures & even specialised scales that now act as functional flight feathers. All Wyverns are Ziz.

Zilants

Zilants are Ryu derived from the order serpentes that had gained an unusual anatomical method of powered flight. Zilants undergone a DEP that certain Ziz particularly Pterapeds develop known as ‘reverse allocation pteryx’ in which like Pterabrachids where their wings also function as forearms the Zilant however developed wings on their legs. Unlike birds Zilants have a complex cooling system to regulate temperature preventing overheating from strenuous flight, on their sides they possess gill like valves that face forward rather than back to intake air as they fly, more akin to that of a jet engine. All Zilants are Ziz.