Picture Album Portfolio
We created a cover page, a featured page, and a story for each fictional species we'd expect in a polluted future.
The names originate in Latin.
PLATYRRHUNUS sp.
Across millennia, humanity faced countless pandemics, including famous ones like COVID-19 in 2019, the Great Death in 4859, and finally the MJ-Virus in 5972. Human beings gradually learned their lesson and completely cut ties with bats. After more than a thousand years, bats had resurged noticeably, forcing coexistence. As bats gradually became integrated within humans' lives, Uruguay investor K. N. Lovelace started capturing them in solar panel containers in 7002, noticing their strong wings. She proposed bat-generated wind energy to officials, gaining government funding. These bats thrived in confined habitats, producing wind power. Lovelace's associate, T. Blackwoods Jr., introduced mechanical wing enhancements, boosting electricity output. Together, Lovelace and Blackwoods birthed an industry where modified bats fueled sustainable energy for centuries. This journey reflects human adaptability and innovation in addressing challenges. Surprisingly, as the bats struggled to head out, the wind they created was way larger than what was required to light up the whole block of houses. Being a successful investor, she advertised her finding to the local government members and claimed that she had found a new energy source for the country. More than ten thousand dollars were spent by the government to capture more bats and kept them in private areas that had such a large density of bats that most died within a week of struggling and useless flying in the limited space, requiring the need of replacing the bats completely almost three times a month. A former scientist and a friend of Lovelace, T. Blackwoods Jr., successfully replaced the bat wings with a mechanical structure that created a larger turbulence that led to larger power of electricity produced. Blackwoods and Lovelace started the industry together, and the idea of using modified bats as the energy source had remained popular for already two centuries.
BELGIUM BLUE STEER
In the midst of the sweeping Pasture Year 6888 engulfed Europe, when a dire situation unfolded as urban expansion devoured over 90% of once-fertile lands across the continent. The ever-expanding urban landscapes led to an unprecedented metamorphosis, leaving behind vast tracts of land incapable of catering to the nutritional needs of the continent's populace. As the consequences of this crisis intensified, governments were compelled to explore innovative solutions to avert a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. In the heart of this struggle, the government of Belarus rose to the occasion, enlisting a cohort of brilliant scientists to spearhead a revolutionary project aimed at overcoming the critical shortage of both vegetables and meat. It was within this crucible of necessity that the pioneering concept of the "Magnus" emerged—a remarkable transformation of the Belgian Blue bulls that had roamed the European plains for generations. The endeavor began with meticulous research, genetic mapping, and groundbreaking experimentation. The focus was on the skeletal structure of the robust Belgian Blue bulls, renowned for their formidable musculature. The scientists embarked on a journey to harness the potential locked within these animals, particularly their ribcages, as blank canvases for a radical metamorphosis. Through painstaking efforts, the scientists orchestrated a transformation that seemed like something out of a science fiction novel. The ribcages of the Belgian Blue bulls were meticulously adapted, redesigned to create expansive and flat surfaces. These newly engineered spaces were designed to host a diverse array of crop species, which were ingeniously integrated into the animals' physiology. But this was only the beginning. To ensure the success of this unprecedented endeavor, the scientists delved into the intricate symbiosis between flora and fauna. They developed a groundbreaking method to infuse injected nutrient fluids into specific muscle groups of the Magnus. In the annals of history, the Magnus became an enduring reminder that even amidst the bleakest challenges, the human spirit had the power to sculpt a brighter future—one where the boundaries of possibility were stretched beyond imagination, all while preserving the delicate tapestry of the natural world.
P. J. DOMINUS
In the distant year 6797, a profound event unfolded, forever altering the course of human understanding and redefining the boundaries of what was considered possible. It all began with a single, astonishing sighting—an avian entity with an extraordinarily broad body that captured the attention of onlookers and set the world abuzz with wonder.News of this enigmatic creature spread like wildfire, sparking curiosity and fascination across continents. Its colossal size ignited imaginations, as well as a multitude of questions that begged for answers. Scientists, researchers, and bird enthusiasts alike united in their quest to unlock the secrets held within the confines of this remarkable being.As experts embarked on the journey to unravel the mysteries concealed beneath its feathers, the story took an unexpected turn. Through meticulous dissection, the intricacies of its anatomy were laid bare, revealing an uncanny array of organs and tissues. Most astonishing of all were its lungs—alien-like in their composition and functioning. Amidst a world of theories and speculations, the prevailing notion was that this avian marvel was the product of an intricate biological experiment orchestrated by shadowy organizations.As decades passed and explorations deepened, the puzzle began to unravel. The truth, it seemed, was far more awe-inspiring than any theory. The creature was not a product of human intervention, but rather the result of a remarkable evolutionary journey. This newfound subspecies of eagle bore the marks of an ingenious adaptation—a triumvirate of filtration tissues surrounding its lungs. It was a phenomenon born of necessity, an elegant solution to survive in an atmosphere rendered toxic by human activities.Human endeavors had introduced a perilous cocktail of pollutants into the atmosphere.
PATHYSA NOCEPHATES
Following the mass extinction of more plants on Earth's surface due to severe nutrient erosion from soil as well as extreme climate conditions such as acid rain with the pH of 5, herbivores coerced to explore new sources for nutrition. In 6837 a certain type of caterpillar was discovered to thrive in a collapsed industrial indoor botanical garden in Southeast Asia with nothing but particularly vigorous beams of sunlight, hundreds were found clustered under the light. Seemingly iridescent under the sunlight, it was later proven that they have developed the ability of photosynthesis by combining plant and animal cells. Chloroplasts and phosphorus-containing chemicals present in their cells, however, created energy only enough for survival. This distinctive ability and their striking appearance also allow them to identify their own kind, allowing them to form covens to optimize their survival rate due to intense competition for limited resources. Spending most of their time in their larval stage of a worm, they transition later in life into butterflies, reproducing and quickly followed by quick deaths - often a few hours after their eggs being laid. Following their development into adulthood, phosphorus compounds in a specific type of pollen became an excellent source of nutrition as well, not only providing them with a longer lifespan but also provides for their fluorescent wings. A few months after this discovery, they were named as Pathysa nocephates.The emergence of Pathysa nocephates was a beacon of hope in a world grappling with ecological turmoil. It underscored the incredible potential for life to innovate and adapt, even under the most dire circumstances. Their unique combination of traits—a blend of plant and animal characteristics—served as a testament to the extraordinary complexity of nature's designs. As humanity grappled with its role in restoring and safeguarding the delicate balance of life, the story of Pathysa nocephates stood as a reminder of the enduring interplay between resilience, evolution, and the ongoing search for harmony amidst the ever-changing tapestry of existence.
ARTIFICIAL PET SPECIES
Psychologists have discovered long ago that one of the most significant causes that bifurcate humans are opposing views as reaching consensus creates a particularly robust bond that engenders a strong sense of identity and team membership for both sides. The inception traces back to the new Nobel-prize winner Doctor F. Marsh's post on Instagram, "Cats are the best pet species". Since then, social discourse surrounding this topic has been sparked for over a century, elevating into serious division as groups of extremists became involved. As the situation intensified, nations (particularly in the Middle East and Africa where cats have been considered by many as culturally holy), conflagrations have led to the deaths of tens of thousands by miscreants in riots as well as targeted attacks because of their different views. The World Science Organization, being the most influential scientific administration, hoped to end the turmoil by creating a completely new species - the Margle Giants, named after Dr. Marsh who started the chaos. After being successfully modified in laboratory upon basis of a cat, the Margle Giant was shown in 7189 to combine all the characteristics of lovable pet species - being not only able to understand human languages and moves, but also having artificial controllable fur length that doesn't require much care and even a lifespan approximating that of a human's as well as handing the control over their fertility to humans by activation through the administration of specific drugs and many more. While retaining a feline's agility, speed and flexibility, they develop lifelong loyalty only towards their masters, becoming the ultimate pet ubiquitous across the globe, finally bringing peace to pandemonium after almost two centuries of conflict. However, in order to look as adorable as most pets were, some senses were given up, such as poor sight ability to maintain the size of the pupil.
MOLOCH METALLIUM
It was a night in April, 6914, when the research group accidentally lost their way to the ABP (African Biodiversity Protection) Institute of Ethiopia and ended up in the deserts. All members were extremely experienced in the survival in such extreme lands, but it seemed to contain something unusual under the peaceful darkness of the plain dunes of sand. Captain Pontwain insisted that the night seemed shimmering, dozens of moths with patterns glowing in a cold silver light suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and the ground around their feet started shining like the Milky Way. After the terrifying night of being skeptical whether they were ancient bombs buried below by ancestors, they soon discovered that they were a species of lizards, being a member of the genus Moloch, which was claimed to be extinct back in the 6400s. The shocking news of discovering the only species presence for the Moloch genus was soon spread to all over the world, and they were known as Moloch metallum. Although named after the Latin word for "metal", it was nine years later when scientists finally captured a specimen, and it shows that the lizard not only had silver body parts, but those were made of metal- and they only shone at night by reflecting the moonlight and therefore attracting moths to them for food. The story of the Moloch metallum became a symbol of the limitless possibilities of life's persistence and adaptation. It underscored the importance of preserving Earth's astonishing biodiversity and the importance of continued exploration in the face of a rapidly changing world. And as the moonlight cast its ethereal glow over the desert, illuminating the silver bodies of the Moloch metallum, humanity was reminded that nature's surprises were far from exhausted, and that the bonds between the living world and the cosmos were woven with threads of wonder and awe.
CHELONA PLAMEDENTIS
Since the onset of the 31st century, the proliferation of plastic waste within oceanic ecosystems has exhibited an alarming trajectory, marked by an exponential doubling of accumulation each passing decade. With most ocean life spanning across deeper waters and the surface covered with plastics, life seemed to have disappeared within the Epipelagic zone. Yet, despite this disheartening situation, a ray of hope emerged from the collective efforts of scientists under the World Scientific Organization. They've discovered a discrete section of the Pacific Ocean, no larger than 200 acres, within which a remarkable semblance of ecological equilibrium persisted. This enclave of existence, though modest in scale, teems with diverse species, presenting a heartening testament to nature's resilience even in the face of daunting adversity. In particular, scientists noticed that this aquatic region expressed a particularly unusual clarity - free from petroleum impurities that had become ubiquitous due to vast discharges into the ocean, amounting to millions of tons. It was suspected and proven that the sea turtles have evolved and adapted to this wasteland. Research of their anatomy revealed marvelous changes in their digestive systems and the gastric structures. Foremost among these adaptations was the remarkable capacity to metabolize plastic products, a feat fatal for many of their predecessors who died after ingesting it mistakenly. Spanning over three millennia, this subtle yet profound transformation has condensed into the emergence of an entirely new species of sea turtles, named as Chelonia plamedentis in 7008, a nomenclature reflective of their unique prowess in assimilating not only petroleum but also its synthetic hydrocarbon derivatives. Scientists are still trying to introduce some members of the species to other parts of the ocean as well as attempting to genetically modify other organisms to try and diminish the waste, aiming to revive the ocean ecosystem by 7350. This discovery however, underscores the resilience of life in the face of unprecedented ecological challenges and illuminating the pioneering role that human endeavor can play in restoring equilibrium to the fragile tapestry of our planet's oceans.
