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Dato Project: Cercornithes, the long-tailed birds

Cercornitheans, meaning "long-tailed birds," are a clade of birds (sensu lato*) characterized by their long unfused tails, a primitive trait, and their tendency to be flightless. Formerly believed to be paraphyletic in relation to pygostylian birds, current genetic and molecular studies confirm that they are indeed monophyletic. They are distributed globally across Dato's major landmasses.

Their first appearance in the fossil record is uncertain as remains supposedly coming from cercornitheans could simply be from extinct groups such as dromaeosaurs, troodontids, and basal paravians, though the main consensus is that they appeared in the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous.

The extinction of all other theropods (sans pygostylian birds)

There are 6 infraorders in this group:

• a - Onychocarnaria/lycanhawks (a clade of predominantly carnivorous cercornitheans that resemble dromaeosaurs due to convergent evolution. They have larger craniums than dromaeosaurs and exhibit more complex behaviors. It was once believed that onychocarnarians outcompeted the dromaeosaurs in the Miocene though it is now known that dromaeosaurs were already on the decline.)

• b - Avisimiiformes/apebirds (a clade of largely arboreal cercornitheans similar to primates, koalas and sloths, they possess cheeks and well-developed forelimbs used in climbing and grabbing. Like onychocarnarians, they have large brains and are usually social.)

• c - Architheropodiformes/juggernauts (a clade of large-bodied cercornitheans that converged with the long-extinct megatheropods that used to live in the Cretaceous, all members are carnivorous)

• d - Thanatorhamphiformes/beastbirds (a clade of cercornitheans with traits from "true" birds and architheropodiforms, the latter being a sister lineage. They possess beaks and vary in lifestyle and diet.)

• e - Nothopygostylia/Dato endemic birds (DEBs) (Appearance wise similar to true pygostylians, though the skulls of these birds reveal very primitive traits. They are the only clade of cercornitheans capable of powered flight.)

• f - Qiliniformes (Named after the Chinese mythical beast, these cercornitheans are typically herbivorous. Unique amongst theropods, they have a pair of tusks, which may aid in feeding or fighting. They are closely related to Avisimiiformes. Some species coexist with ornithischians and mammals that may feed on different plants.)

Taxonomy below with their first appearance in the fossil record next to the name:

*Under narrower definitions of the word bird which restricts it to the class Aves, they would not be considered birds.

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today's bug thing is this moth plush by Pinterest user VarkNoel!

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oh fuggg Leaf Eel models I did but forgot to post

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Bro why this 🐉 so mad

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u just know that when they discover small alien microorganisms on some moon ice somewhere that peoples fursona game is gonna increase tenfold

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Not socialist in a “I won’t have to work” type of way but socialist in a “I’ll still be working but I won’t be worried I won’t make the rent” type of way. In a “billions won’t be hoarded by one person” type of way. In a “janitors, fast-food workers, child care workers, preschool teachers, hotel clerks, personal care and home health aides, and grocery store cashiers, will live comfortably” type of way. In a “the sick and elderly will be cared for” type of way. In a “no child should work” type of way.

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'' Slimy and foul vermin that infest our waterways and wetlands. 1: Guarded crawmad, a medium sized crustacean with disproportionately large claws. They're territorial and use their odd looking pincers to defend and guard their territory. Despite the preposterous looks, these oversized crabs can impale, crush, and even split their prey in half if bothered! ... it is not adviced for young Hunters to walk around their burrows, to whom it may concern... yes, they also do taste quite amazing. A delicious plate of boiled Guarded crawmads with butter melting ontop, a worthy meal. 2: Marshy soapfish, a peculiar looking fish that uses its feelers to navigate the surrounding murky waters. They're full of oils and fats, hence why they float on the surface and have plants growing ontop of them. inedible, taste like soap. 3: Murkfin, oh the Murkfin. A horrendous fish that devours whatever approaches the waters edge without knowing of the horrors that lurk beneath. A massive creature, sometimes getting to the size of a Killback. They have 3 paired fins, strong enough to lift and push it across its muddy, swampy habitat for short periods of time. A strong bite force capable of crushing bone and swallowing even or toughest warriors! 4: Swarmers, bear traps surrounded by flesh. They're nothing other than hunger and gluttony manifested as a bone gnawing fish. Swarmers are everywhere, from coastlines to the most anoxic swamps you could ever imagine. They're thought to devour Yaks within minutes... and leaving nothing other than their skeleton intact. They're quite tasty if served fried in Soapfish oil. 5: Mudpups, not so interesting, small fish that resemble eels. Dragons hate them and avoid eating them precisely because of this. They resemble their worst nightmare, apparently. When their habitat dries up, they encase themselves in mud and mucus and go dormant until the waters return. 6: Common crawmad, the so called common Crawmad is in fact, quite common, as its common name suggests. Its the most common crustacean you'll ever find across the marshes, rivers, and even lakes. They make for a good boil. 7: Spindly prawnfly, A shrimpfly of sorts, the least annoying of them, at least. Whilst they have beatiful, almost elegant bodies with striking teal and green hues... they have an annoying buzz to them, waaay to annoying. Swarming and flying across rivers, lakes, ditches, and ephemeral ponds just to eat exposed muck and algae. They also raise their young on such watery places, at least they're edible and taste just like what they are. Shrimp, but with wings. 8: Crimson prawnfly, the not so peaceful, more so annoying cousin of the Spindly prawnfly. They suck blood, so you can expect them to latch onto your arm like a leech and pump toxins to avoid bloodclot; nothing much is relevant about this horrible vermin from hell other than they get what they deserve after being boiled alive and served. 9: Ornate stoneroller, these... are odd. Perplexing, they live under rocks. Nobody sees them, nobody has ever tried to eat them... they... just... exist. I guess. You could be the first one to try eating a Ornate stoneroller after being high on mushrooms, could you? 10: Toothchurning gnasher, despite its name and similarities with the Toothchurning tiderider, they dont seem to be related at all. Toothchurning gnashers are full of bones despite their shark like appearance. They do share one or two things in common though, and its the fact that they're bottomless pits of teeth and hunger. They also taste like pee. 11: Lamprey, No. I refuse to write an entry over these horrifying looking fish. The only things you need to know about them is that they're all over the swamps, taste bad, are older than your grandma probably, and will suck your blood like a parasite. They freak me out, man. ''

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Beasts

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Reason #13668893+316i why we are in this mess.

Democrats passed the affordable care act, passed the infrastructure bill, got rid of junk fees, lowered prescription costs, gave civil rights, protections, forgave student loans, etc.

Everything the republicans are doing is undoing the work of democrats. Yall would rather sit there on your flat asses and make these weakass centrist takes than actually have the courage to face what is happening with clarity.

But yall let these false ideas spread and become the common thought and you allow the fascist to creep in. The american apathy and aversion to the truth is why we are here!

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I always get so excited to draw him idk why

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ONEIRIC OCEAN (new lookfar album, paleozoic hardware synth)

(bandcamp) (spotify) (youtube)

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there's a new sticker sheet designed by yours truly on The Yetee! check it out :3

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The early route bug of the Laken region!

Part of my Great Lakes fakemon pokedex project! You can find all my fakemon posts under the tag Laken Fakemon!

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more fakemon COMIN ATCHYA

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Do you think all sophonts really love to ask hypothetical questions to peers or that that's just a human thing

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I know that officially Doctor Mario is just Mario dressed as a doctor, but I choose to believe that he’s Mario from an alternate timeline because it’s the option that lends itself to shenanigans.

Doctor Mario: Welp gotta head home. It’s our anniversary tomorrow and we’ve got an early flight to Delfino we have to catch

Mario:

Doctor Mario: Y’know most people follow that up with a little, ‘hey, happy anniversary’ or-

Mario: You’re married??

Doctor Mario:

Doctor Mario: You’re not????

Mario: No!! Who are you married to?????

Doctor Mario: To Tony!!!

Mario:

Doctor Mario:

Mario: WHO’S TONY??????

Doctor Mario: WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘WHO’S TONY’???????????

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