#atlantisbestiary3

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Truncotheres are a clade of animals endemic to Atlantis, they lead to Plato writing about the presence of elephants on the island. In reality these are pantodonts, a clade of animals that went extinct elsewhere at the end of the Eocene.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

The open woodlands have some charismatic megafauna to offer, from truncotheres with bad haircuts over antler wearing birds to large mustelids and turtles.

This image also demonstrates very well the beauty of Atlantis in this form: perfectly balanced between majesty and silliness ;)

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

sorry which are the nematodes in that leaflitter image, I can see an earthworm (Annalida), what looks like a hammerhead worm (Platihelminthese), and possibly some other flatworms?

Look closely

closer!

nearly there!

There you go, thank you Gasterophis!

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

The leaf litter is worthy of its own image. Small critters are a rare thing in spec evo. Here our participants go down to minuscule creatures like nematodes. Beatles, ants, katydids, snails, crustaceans etc.

Some groups here are rather unique, like the eusocial crickets.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

The forests of Atlantis harbor some fantastic fauna and a lot of yet to be studied flora. In the open plains large mustelids are the apex predators, here this role is filled by terrestrial crocodilians.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

Oh look, it's the swampy bois and their murky home.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

The Rock Gardens are a new habitat on Atlantis. They formed when the sea level fell and tectonics rose the East of the island. The thick, exposed reef packages quickly eroded into fantastic shapes and rocky labyrinths.

These landscapes are home to one of Atlantis' most iconic creatures, the garden howler.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Atlantis Phase III is here. Over the next few weekends we will put together the ecosystems of this island during the late Pleistocene, based on community submissions.

The beaches of Atlantis are the topic of this piece. Small and large pinnipedes can be found here, as well as many birds and small reptiles. Also note the Rosy Pines in the back.