Biology of Welt

Biology is the study of the animate, of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution.

The Dalmer are fond of acquiring information on different lifeforms, either living or mythical, depending on the focus of the scientist. This Information can be found out by simply finding and studying the lifeform or by reading certain books.

Lifeforms in Welt do not follow the general rules of life or what is alive. The definition that encompasses all these lifeforms is of being animate. The classification of an entity is necessarily complex with the necessary distinction between the living and the undead, the living and the mechanical, and the infinite variations that the animate can take.

## General

Most known fauna species on Welt are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning that they have a single-sex capable of playing the role of either the male or female in reproduction and every individual being able to lay eggs and fertilize them. Two parents are still required to fertilize the eggs once laid, making it sexual reproduction. Some fauna species are exempt from this and reproduce entirely asexually although the norm for Welt is sexual reproduction, as can be observed in all species that can be placed in a Containment unit who will require two individuals of their species to produce eggs. The only species that does not reproduce are Mechanimals due to the fact they are artificial fauna whose new members are built rather than born.

All known complex species on Welt reproduce via egg-laying. This makes the criteria of mammalia difficult, but is extended to creatures that breastfeed their young after they hatch.

## Dimorphism

In Welt, seemingly all creatures are unisex and sexually compatible with each other. This means that the perceived sexual dimorphism seen is purely aesthetic, there are no more “males” than “females” of any species, and this gives rise to a great many questions.

Size is an evident issue, as creatures from the gargantuan gigacetidae to the minute mice of Welt are compatible for reproduction. It seems that during coitus, the larger animal by default becomes the incubator for the brood.

## Taxonomy of Welt

The taxonomy of the Animate is based on a complex means of dating divergences in the genetic history of the animal in question. This works by deciphering the creatures genotype and determining when branches were created from the original being, the common ancestor to all life on welt, Primordial Soup.

Empire: Single cell or multicellular organisms

Kingdom: Plants, Animals, Fungi,

Region: Classification based on internal or external features (Arthropods, Mollusks).

Kurat: Classification based on diet (Carnivora).

Order: Classification based on form (Felines, Reptiles).

Family: Classification based on genetic similarity Mice, Crocodilians). Each family contains one or more species.

Species: Basic unit of biological classification

Each ranking has intermediary rankings of super, sub, infra and par.

# Classification of the Animate

## Animate

Animate refers largely to **life in general** on welt. Animate, with few exceptions, encompass all organisms capable of reproducing and that consume matter.

### Fauna

The term fauna refers to a subcategory in the classification of the Animate and as a kingdom in the taxonomy of Welt.

#### Animals

Animals are defined by their lack of sentience and Saccharomyces demonica within their organisms. Critters are a subcategory of animals whose body parts are used in chemistry.

#### Other races

Sentient and Sapient organisms with the capacity for social interaction, trade and communication.

#### Critters

Animals that are used or parts of which are used in chemistry. Considered a near obsolete term.

#### Creatures

Creatures are non other races with limited sentience and sapience. Creatures, as opposed to other races generally live alone or in family units in the wilds outside the cosmopolitan society. As such, a creature being an other race that lives in the wilds is not a stretch of the definition of creature. Some creatures used to be other races, such as individuals struck by lightning who become witches.

#### Beasts

Beasts are a particular classification of obligate cannibals that live amongst their prey.

#### Monsters

Animate that is a codependent symbiosis of saccharomyces demonica and another animate.

#### Edimals

Animals whose physique resembles a particular food item.

#### Chimera

An animate born from the union of two different species.

### Flora

Unicellular or Multicellular organisms that can photosynthesize.

### Fungi

Grouping of organisms that includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms.

### Mechanimals

Machines that behave and reproduce like animals.

### Undead

Beings that are biologically deceased but retain locomotion.

## Categories of the Animate

Avians

Arachnids

Bacterial/Viral

Demons

Fish

Insects

Mammals

Other

Plantlife

Reptiles

Sea Creatures

Undead

## Monster Classification System

Due to their innate dangerosity, monsters are extensively studied in order to better defeat them.

Species: What kind of monster it is

Class: What the monster eats (I.e.. Necrophage, Carnivore etc.)

Status: The monsters numbers in the wild

Occurrence: Where the monster lives in the wild

Immunities: What the monster is immune to.

Resistances: What the monster is resistant, but not immune to.

Susceptibilities: What is effective against the monster.

Weaknesses: What is lethal to the monster.

Abilities: What the monster can do.

Tactics: How the monster hunts and feeds.

Loot: What can be salvaged from the monster.

Jurisprudence: Previous interactions with the monster and what it teaches about the monster.