Players represent a species on an island and have genes, reproductive rate, prey attack and defense, habitat, mobility, etc. Each player represents a paleontological researcher trying to make major fossil finds. The board is a 9x9 grid, each space of which is covered by a tile depicting a portion of a fossil. Each tile also contains a point value from 1-3. On the board are 2 stones, one of which can be moved by each player on his turn in order to claim a fossil.
Fame is expended in quantity equal to the number of spaces moved.
When the last tile of a particular fossil is removed, players receive points based on the number of components they have and the point values on those tiles. In addition, the player completing the fossil can exchange a tile he has collected with one of those from another player. Players who had no component in the fossil lose points which are then given to the player who had the most points in that fossil. Then mutate into new and larger forms. Detailed simulation of desert arthropod combat but easy to learn.