Wings of Fire Worldbuilding: Tribes and adaptations
Below are some headcanons for adaptations each tribe has to survive in their environment! Note: These do not include any magic-based tribe traits (Breaths, leaf speak, NightWing magic, etc)
SeaWings
Habitat: Various Marine
Gills allow for breathing underwater
Lungs and ribcage able to collapse under pressure
High levels of O2 bound in hemoglobin and myoglobin in muscles
Buoyancy is reduced due to the collapse of lungs, saving energy for moving back to the surface
Have both antifreeze proteins in their blood (like alligatorfish) and blubber layers to cope with freezing temperatures
Streamlined bodies for energy efficiency
Lateral line sensory organs (like in sharks and fish), as well as barbels on chin and/or vibrissae on face allow for individuals to pick up on nearby vibrations in low light
Nostrils positioned on the top of their face able to close to block water from entering
Large, dense kidneys to process salt
Inner ear between the tympanum and cochlea fills with blood, allowing for good hearing underwater (fluid-fluid-fluid transfer, rather than fluid-air-fluid which would result in poor hearing while underwater as is the case with humans)
Large eyes and pupils for low-light environments
tapetum lucidum ("eyeshine") allows for ample opportunity for eyes to receive and process light
Rapid dilation of pupils allows for SeaWings to see both above and below water
More rod cells, which allow for better night vision
Semi-flattened limbs allow for stability and speed in swimming
Powerful, muscled tails allow for strong, fast swimming
High blood volume for more oxygen
Able to do anaerobic respiration when holding their breath. While they breathe with their gills, if they're in a low-oxygen environment, they can also use anaerobic respiration when needed
Large body to minimize heat loss
Countercurrent heat exchange allows for hot arterial blood to warm cold venous blood to prevent thermal shock
Curved jaw tip aids in catching prey
Webbed talons
High aspect ratio wings- active soaring, Long, narrow wings for long-distance flight over water, pointed tips (Albatross, gull, gannet-like wings)
Bioluminescent scales that can be turned on and off for communication
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
SandWings
Habitat: Various Arid, including Desert and Xeric Shrubland
Naturally high body temperature, increases thermal tolerance and forces them to go to shade only when the air temperature is greater than their internal temperature
Reduced resting metabolic rate (Their metabolism is naturally low) reduces energy costs in a low-productivity environment where regaining lost energy is difficult. This also reduces the amount of water lost due to slower breathing
Smaller clutch sizes and long dragonet development period
Lower oxygen use
Most active in the dawn and dusk, often avoiding the hottest parts of the day
Large "sails" along their body and large ears allow for thermoregulation to keep cool
Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare
Don't excrete wet waste to conserve water
Long legs and lean bodies
Stinger that can inject venom which grows more potent with age
High endurance
Light coloration reflects light and keeps them cool
Wide-set talons prevent sinking in sand and aid in digging
Low aspect ratio passive soaring wings that are long and broad with "fanned" junctions/slots at the tips. The slots allow for soaring without reliable wind currents, instead rising on warm air. (Eagle, vulture, hawk-like wings)
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Nictitating membranes and thick eyelashes to protect the eye
SkyWings
Habitat: Alpine and Subalpine
Long tails
Larger lungs and hearts than other tribes to optimize oxygen in low-oxygen environments
Higher resting metabolic rate allows for increased breathing rates and increased oxygen intake
High levels of hemoglobin in blood to bind more oxygen
High oxygen extraction in lungs due to cross-current exchange (air passing over the lungs during both inhale and exhaling as well as gradient of oxygen through blood to maximize intake)
Low aspect ratio passive soaring wings that are long and broad with "fanned" junctions/slots at the tips. The slots allow for soaring without reliable wind currents, instead rising on warm air. (Eagle, vulture, hawk-like wings). Their wings are bigger than those of SandWings due to their larger size
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Some individuals may possess thick fur or feather-like scales on some or all of their body, providing insulation in frigid temperatures
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare
Roughly scaled skin along the bottom side of their talons aids in gripping stone and their talons are spread relatively wide to provide balance
Higher body temperatures, though not as high as SandWings
Fairly low center of gravity due to stocky bodies and legs
Thick, well muscled upper bodies
IceWings
Habitat: Arctic including Tundra and Taiga
Shorter snout and ears to preserve heat
Serrated claws for moving across ice
Semi-ectothermic meaning they need to regulate their temperature manually by basking, or in most cases, moving to cooler climates. They can warm themselves up through their metabolism (muscle movement, digestion, etc), but it's not easy for them like in most of the other tribes. As a result, they, despite their extreme climate, can tolerate and adapt to warmer climes when needed, though many prefer to stay in cold regions. Additionally, in warmer climates, their internal temperature is often too high for them to produce frost breath
Some individuals may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some or all of their body, providing insulation in frigid temperatures
Antifreeze proteins in blood, like in alligatorfish
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare
MudWings
Habitat: Riparian Forest and Wetland
Webbed talons
Increased lung capacity allowing for long durations underwater
Ability to close nostrils and ears with membranous flaps underwater
Well developed sense of smell
Short, powerful neck
Large pupils for navigation in low-light and low-visibility areas
Dome-pressure receptors- extremely sensitive sensory organs along body and jaw that detect movement
Dorsally positioned nostrils, ears, and eyes
Streamlined body
Powerful tails to aid in swimming
Thick, armor-like scales
Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
NightWings
Habitat: Deciduous and Coniferous Temperate Forest
Tapetum lucidum ("eyeshine") allows for ample opportunity for eyes to receive and process light
More rod cells, which allow for better night vision
Enhanced sense of scent, sight, and hearing
Large corneas and eyes that allow for more light
Traditionally noctournal, though many are cathemeral- not limited to a traditional day-night cycle and instead functioning at odd hours without any single resting period (think how most mammals hunt and move in both day and night)
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
RainWings
Habitat: Tropical Forest
Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding. Able to take off quickly, maneuvering through tight spaces, and avoiding entanglement in foliage
Have weak photosynthetic abilities, with photosynthetic cells in their membranes
Fangs that can inject venom through bites or by flexing their fangs to spray it as a long-distance defense mechanism
Long, prehensile tail for maneuvering in dense undergrowth
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
BeetleWings
Habitat: Grassland and Shrubland, both montane and lower elevations
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Long hindwings (alae) tucked under their elytra (hardened forewings that form protective coverings when not in flight; the back hard part of a beetle) with reduced and modified veins to allow for folding
Strong flight capabilities
Hard exoskeleton made of thick, plate-like scales for protection
Two pairs of veined wings made from protein and chitin. Veins prevent tearing and provide stability and structural support of the elastic membranes that make up the wing's surface, as well as containing sensory organs and nerves that detect air movement, inform of any strain on the wings, and aid in balance of the dragon overall
Antennae (clubbed, thread-like, angled, string-of-beads-shaped, comb-like, or toothed) aid in sensory detection and can pick up on motion, odor, and chemical signals, as well as physical touch to aid in low-vision navigation
Can excrete pheromones to communicate
Unlike other tribes who only have three life stages (Egg, dragonet, adult), BeetleWings have four- egg, flightless dragonet, metamorphosis, and adult
Some have venomous stingers, some can spin silk, and others may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some of their body.
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare
SilkWings
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grassland, Savanna, and Shrubland
SilkWings may possess long, soft, fur-like scales on some or all of their body, similar to moths. Even if they don't possess the obvious 'fur' of moths, all SilkWings have a fine layer of soft, feathery scales on their head, wings, and portions of their abdomens, almost akin to the layer of velvet on deer antlers. These soft scales provide insulation, aid thermoregulation, and make gliding easier on their fairly light frame
Powerful muscles in the forewings to propel flight, while smaller hind wings, while muscled in their own right, may act for more of stabilization
Unlike other tribes who only have three life stages (Egg, dragonet, adult), SilkWings, like BeetleWings, have four- egg, flightless dragonet, metamorphosis, and adult
Have antennae used as sensory, balance, and navigation aids that come in a range of shapes and sizes
Relatively weak flight when compared to the other tribes. Broad wings make them excellent gliders, though they usually have poor long-range flight ability
Ability to produce silk or venom, though some have fur-like scales, similar to SilkWings
Contain chromatophores in their scales and skin, allowing for color changing.
Many have the ability to mimic sounds with ease, to an almost eerie extent.
Long, strong limbs and tail
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
LeafWings
Habitat: Temperate and Tropical Forest
Elliptical wings allow for controlled flight in dense areas. They are not well-suited to long-distance flight, as flight is energetically costly due to reliance on lapping, rather than gliding
Wings flattened and almost papery like a samara ("helicopter" or "whirligig" of maple trees and other fruiting plants)
Photosynthetic cells in their scales and membranes providing them with a secondary energy source
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
HiveWings
Habitat: Temperate Grassland, Savanna, and Shrubland
Two pairs of veined wings made from protein and chitin. Veins prevent tearing and provide stability and structural support of the elastic membranes that make up the wing's surface, as well as containing sensory organs and nerves that detect air movement, inform of any strain on the wings, and aid in balance of the dragon overall
Hindwing locked onto the forewing by hooked bristles (Hamuli)
Tough outer edge of forewing acts as a pseudo elytra to protect the hindwing and softer half of the forewing, as well as the dragon's body and organs.
Have two fovea in their eyes, allowing for an extended range of vision, like other tribes
Stingers act as defense mechanisms or for the subduing of prey by injecting venom
Can release pheromones for communication
Nictitating membrane to protect the eye
Eyes set deeper in the head to reduce glare
