PaléoDex #0001 - Pikiyoi, the Transparent Pokemon!
One of the oldest known Pokémon in the fossil record, Pikiyoi is a very simple creature, with few organs to speak of, and only one life stage. Dating back to the Spiculan Period (~500 Ma), numerous fossils seem to indicate that it was quite common, with the most common consensus being that they were social Pokémon with similarities to the modern Pokémon Pikachu. The original discoverers, therefore, believed that the two shared a close ancestor-descendant relationship. However, subsequent discoveries revealed that the Pokémon had only superficial similarities, including the cheek-like structures that store electrical charge. These are not derived characteristics, but convergently evolved ones, with Pikiyoi's being similar in function and far more primitive in structure. Some have theories that Pikachu's own cheek pouches are actually an atavistic throwback, resurrecting this dynamic adaptation for a stronger and more prominent function.
Based on Fossil Resurrection, many things have been discovered about Pikiyoi, including its closer relationship to the Tynamo line than most other Pokémon. Additionally, we now know that these aquatic Pokémon are quite shy and solitary, and can import a decent charge to predators with its stored electricity. As planktonivores, they have a simple physiology and metabolism that scientists are still unraveling. Many scientists have also compared it to members of the Solosis line, to which it is quite similar in physiological and anatomical limitations.
Hello! I've been taking a pretty extended break from Pokémon artwork and Fakémon crafting in recent days (lots of life stuff), but I'm starting this new project slowly and steadily with this creation! As for what the project is: In the PaléoDex (yes, the accent is unnecessary, but fun), we focus not on a region in space, but several throughout time! Imagine if, in the world of Pokemon, an old technology was refined…and perfected. Rather than restoring fossils with portions of their mineralization kept in tact through their typing, here we assume a true Fossil Resurrector exists. Now, not only can we see extinct Pokemon as they were in the ancient past, but we can also see several new Pokemon that could never be put through the Restoration process. Ichnofossils, imprints, eggs, etc. now have the possibility of being seen. Thus, we begin as far back in time as we can go: ~500 Ma, in the Spiculan Period (equivalent to our Cambrian period).
So, stay tuned for more from the PaleoDex, and let me know if there are any species you’d like to see!
What is the PaleoDex?
In the PaléoDex (yes, the accent is unnecessary, but fun), we focus not on a region in space, but several throughout time! Imagine if, in the world of Pokemon, an old technology was refined…and perfected. Rather than restoring fossils with portions of their mineralization kept in tact through their typing, here we assume a true Fossil Resurrector exists. Now, not only can we see extinct Pokemon as they were in the ancient past, but we can also see several new Pokemon that could never be put through the Restoration process. Ichnofossils, imprints, eggs, etc. now have the possibility of being seen. Thus, we begin as far back in time as we can go: ~500 Ma, in the Spiculan Period (equivalent to our Cambrian period).
#0001 - Pikyoi, the Transparent Pokemon!
#0002 - Jellucigen, the Deceptive Pokemon!
PaléoDex #0002 - Jellucigen, the Deceptive Pokémon!
When paleontologists first found fossils of Jellucigen, they had assumed that it was an apex predator of the Spiculan Period, as well as the main rival of contemporaries like Armaldo. However, more fossil discoveries and subsequent Resurrection revealed that Jellucigen is actually a timid Pokémon, and that its fearsome spikes are also largely fake, gelatinous and flexible while capped with chitinous armor. When frightened, Jellucigen raises its back end and inflates its spikes to scare off threats, then subtly emits psychic waves of fear to make it seem more dangerous than it actually is. This was especially effective when competing for highly sought-after food sources, scaring away other competitors and taking the food for itself. As such, Jellucigen made its living mostly through deceiving predators and competitors.
That kind of is doing a little work there, since this isn't strictly speaking Batesian mimicry. BUT, there are some similarities there. The base concept here, other than being an admittedly unusual version of a Fakémon inspired by an already extremely unusual animal, is technically deimatism, more commonly known as "threat displays". But, like, as a little wormy sad boi with jelly spikes! The inspiration, in case you've never heard of it, is the extremely unusual and confusing Cambrian genus Hallucigenia, which was considered the wrong way up for a while by paleontologists. Nowadays, we've not it right (we think), and the spines are a part of its defense, rather than its legs. Here, technically that's reversed, because the real spikes are actually its legs! So, yeah, some backwards inspiration here, but hopefully it comes across a little bit at least!
Stay tuned for the next entry in the PaléoDex! Eventually, we'll get to multi-stage Pokémon!
What is the PaleoDex?
In the PaléoDex (yes, the accent is unnecessary, but fun), we focus not on a region in space, but several throughout time! Imagine if, in the world of Pokemon, an old technology was refined…and perfected. Rather than restoring fossils with portions of their mineralization kept in tact through their typing, here we assume a true Fossil Resurrector exists. Now, not only can we see extinct Pokemon as they were in the ancient past, but we can also see several new Pokemon that could never be put through the Restoration process. Ichnofossils, imprints, eggs, etc. now have the possibility of being seen. Thus, we begin as far back in time as we can go: ~500 Ma, in the Spiculan Period (equivalent to our Cambrian period).
#0001 - Pikyoi, the Transparent Pokemon!
#0002 - Jellucigen, the Deceptive Pokemon!
PaleoDéx #0003 - Pseudracith, the Weird Wonder Pokémon!
When PokéPaleontologists first discovered this Spiculan Period fossil, it had been assumed that the Pokémon it belonged to was a progenitor of such species as Krabby or Corphish. Many initial reports referred to the fossil as the "Pincer Fossil", or even the "Otherclaw Fossil", in reference to the previously found Claw Fossil associated with Anorith. However, when initially fed through Fossil Restoration technology, the fossil was not complete enough to be brought back to life. Subsequent discoveries of more individuals, and the advancement of technology from Fossil Restoration to Fossil Resurrection revealed the surprising truth - the initially-described similarities to the Claw Fossil were not unwarranted at all, and the resulting Pokémon was indeed very similar to Anorith.
Pseudracith's "claw" is both mouthpart and appendage, allowing it to capture and manipulate its prey, and bring it to the ventrally-positioned mouth. The body is nearly identical to Anorith, with more extensive chitinous armor and fins of a slightly different shape and length. This has led many PokéPaleontologists to see Pseudracith as an ancient variant, or a convergent Pokémon, or perhaps just a very close relative. The starkest difference between Pseudracith and Anorith would appear to be its five eyes, three of which are fully-functional compound eyes, and two of which are the ocelli positioned on the claw-like proboscis, making it look like the head of a different creature. This appearance may also have correlations with its typing, making it one of the oldest-known Dragon-type Pokémon yet discovered. Like Anorith, Pseudracith cannot thrive in modern waters due to different chemical composition, and represents the complex ancestry of Bug-type Pokémon.
Another Pokémon based on the Cambrian biota! This time, it's the very weird and iconic Opabinia, which the late and very prominent evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould referred to as "the weird wonder", hence the name of the Category listed! To be clear, Opabinia was actually not a part of the same phylogenetic group as Anomalocaris, which inspired Anorith, and which was a lobopodian. Opabinia was part of its own family, and closely-related but separate from the Lobopodia. Thus, the similarities between the two are obvious, but differences range from subtle to stark! In any case, I had fun designing this one, especially because of it's dragon-like silhouette. Also, it may be obvious, but there's another inspiration for this Pokemon more quietly slipped in there, so credit if you noticed!
Next up is the evolution for this guy, which I'm very excited about as well! Stay tuned!
What is the PaleoDex?
In the PaléoDex (yes, the accent is unnecessary, but fun), we focus not on a region in space, but several throughout time! Imagine if, in the world of Pokemon, an old technology was refined…and perfected. Rather than restoring fossils with portions of their mineralization kept in tact through their typing, here we assume a true Fossil Resurrector exists. Now, not only can we see extinct Pokemon as they were in the ancient past, but we can also see several new Pokemon that could never be put through the Restoration process. Ichnofossils, imprints, eggs, etc. now have the possibility of being seen. Thus, we begin as far back in time as we can go: ~500 Ma, in the Spiculan Period (equivalent to our Cambrian period).
#0001 - Pikyoi, the Transparent Pokemon!
#0002 - Jellucigen, the Deceptive Pokemon!
#0003 - Pseudacith, the Weird Wonder Pokemon!
