>>6101021Some interesting cladistics going into Era 2...
>six relatively basal/primitive lineages have survived, four descended from those who early one developed distinct organs, one exceptionally similar to the prime ancestor of all these organisms, and one quite distinct-looking and almost 'devolved' (to use an unscientific colloquialism) in its lack of distinct head, though with very novel and highly-derived feeding, propulsion, and reproduction>eight separate lineages have emerged from the earliest legged ancestor, making that weird little guy the most successful single progenitor of Era 1; of these, two resemble rodents superficially, one resembles snakes or worms, three resemble fish (especially sharks), and one is a many-legged armored superpredator, and the majority are carnivores, creating the impression that these are the charismatic megafauna of the world>arguably the most derived lineage are those five lines derived from the "eyeball fish", including three lineages of photosynthetic 'animals' with varying degrees of motility and sensory capabilities, and a sifter/scavengers which stirs and filters earth; their most derived cousins, still more closely related to these beings than any others, are essentially a crustacean-analogue and a flappy eel/slug, which blur the line between carnivore and herbivore by preying upon their own green-eyed kin>>6101030Great minds think alike, lol 