A
Anatidan
Typically features teardrop body with a pair of broad wings, a short tail and short to semi-long neck. The head is usually small with a broad and flattened beak. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone.
Annelidan
Typically features a long, tubular body lacking a skeletal structure and rarely carries a defined head-shape. The head and tail can look like stumps, or one/both can taper off into tail-like ends. Does not utilize extremities for locomotion.
Amorphan
Typically lacks a skeletal structure and/or musculature, and also often lacks an easily definable body shape.
B
Batoidean
Typically features an oblong, rectangular or square body that’s flatter on the horizontal plane. The pectoral fins are overdeveloped into winglike appendages, often interconnecting with other pectoral fins. Dorsal and ventral fins are rare. The head is typically square or vaguely triangular with a blunt snout and wide jaw. They sometimes feature a tail with or without fin-like additions.
C
Caniforman
Typically features a triangular or rectangular body shape with an erect or pillar-erect posture. Snouts are often longer than in feliforms, commonly featuring more teeth but less specialized carnassial ones, that allow for omnivory and opportunistic feeding. They typically have plantigrade or digitigrade feet with non-retractable claws, but similarly to feliforms the skeletal structure of the legs allow for pronation.
Cephalopodan
Typically features an oblong or bulbous body where the head is directly fused into it, without any neck structure in between. The body lacks a skeletal structure and relies solely on musculature for movement. A beak or mouth is typically circled by a series of tentacles or proboscis, and any eyes tend to rest close to these. The body sometimes feature fin-like structures to aid in locomotion. A few species exhibit similarities to the testudines by developing a carapace to enclose the body.
Cetacean
Typically features a triangular, streamlined body with the head mounted on a short, broad neck. The body tapers off into a horizontally aligned spatula-like paddle. Front limbs consist of a pair of pectoral flippers, and they typically feature at least one dorsal fin but don’t always feature ventral fins. The heads are usually vaguely triangular, but snout length and shape may vary.
Charadiforman
Typically features a teardrop body with a pair of long but narrow wings, short to semi-long tail, and short to semi-long neck. The head usually features a semi-long beak, sometimes with a hooked end. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone, and they most commonly hold a pillar-erect posture. The feet are often plantigrade with three to four front-facing digits and a backwards-facing proto-digit. The digits can feature talons, or shorter nails, and are sometimes connected together with a membrane.
Chiropteran
Typically features a square or rectangular body where the forelimbs adapted into wings, with a leathery membrane stretching between lengthened fingers and usually attaching to the sides and the hind legs. Some also feature short tails that the wing membranes extend to. The hindlegs are typically still present but with femurs adapted to allow them to be bent outward and upward in flight.
Coleopteran
Typically features a rectangular or square body that’s flatter on the horizontal plane and contained within a hard exoskeleton. They usually also feature wings protected by a forewing shell. The head tends to be small in comparison with the body, featuring horizontally aligned mandibles. They tend to have one forward facing set of legs and two backward facing set of legs, in a sprawling posture, and with up to two claw-like digits each. The exoskeleton can feature antler/horn-like outgrowths or smaller sharp-edged protrusions.
Creodontan
Typically features a rectangular body shape with an erect posture. Both snout and head tend to be wider than those of both caniforms and feliforms, but dental assemblage more closely resemble that of feliforms. They have plantigrade or digitigrade feet with non-retractable or semi-retractable claws. Their legs’ skeletal structure doesn’t allow for pronation, which implies a heavy reliance on using their jaws for catching prey.
Crocodilan
Typically features a long, rectangular body that’s flatter on the horizontal plane, with a sprawling posture. Legs are short and can sometimes attain a semi-erect posture for temporary faster locomotion, with four to five short digits on plantigrade feet. The head is usually vaguely triangular with a long snout, and eyes facing either sideways or upward. Tails are typically long and thick, tapering off and flattening on the vertical plane.
D
Diplopodan
Typically features a multisegmented, long body, where each segment is fitted with appendages serving as legs for locomotion. The first segment normally consists of the head and is usually fitted with mandibles and sometimes antennae. The last segment is typically analogous to a tail, and rarely have any legs attached to it. It may feature additional antennae, a pincher or other appendages.
E
Equinan
Typically features a rectangular body shape with an erect or pillar-erect posture. Legs are long and slender, utilizing one or two digits to support their weight on while the rest are either underdeveloped or absent. Tails are typically short or absent, and both heads and necks long. The head can have a blunt end or feature a proboscis.
Etheran
Typically doesn’t feature a distinct physical morphology, usually due to being a lifeform confined to a digital system or network lacking elements of visualization.
Eulipodan
Typically features a robust, compact body in a semi-erect to erect posture. The head usually rests on a short neck, and features an elongated, trunk-like snout. They typically have plantigrade feet with up to five digits featuring non-retractable claws, and often feature short to semi-long tails.
F
Feliforman
Typically features a triangular or rectangular body shape with an erect or pillar-erect posture. Snouts are often shorter than in caniforms, commonly featuring less teeth but more specialized carnassial ones, favoring obligatory carnivorism. They typically have digitigrade feet with retractable or semi-retractable claws, and also feature leg skeletal structures that allow for pronation.
G
Gastropodan
Typically features a tubular, semi-tubular or oblong body shape, with or without a recognizable head in one end. Lacks a skeletal structure and is comprised mainly of muscular tissue that also aids with locomotion.
Gruiforman
Typically features a teardrop body with a pair of large wings, short to semi-long tail, and semi-long to long neck. The head usually features a long beak. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone, and they mostly hold a pillar-erect posture. A distinctive feature are the unusually elongated legs, ending in digitigrade feet with three to four forward-facing digits and one backward-facing digit that remain suspended while walking.
H
Hominin
Typically features a triangular, rectangular, or square body with an erect or pillar-erect posture with a distinctively vertical positioning of the vertebra. Only the lower limbs are used for locomotion and usually feature plantigrade feet, while the forelimbs are adapted for interacting with the environment and include opposable thumbs on the hands. The head tends to be lightly oval with a flattened face rather than a snout, and the tail is typically absent.
I
Ichtyoidin
Typically features a streamlined body that’s flatter on the vertical plane, with a triangular head mounted on a short and inflexible neck. The tail ends in a vertically aligned spatula-like fin, and they typically feature both pectoral and pelvic fins. Dorsal and ventral fins are also common traits.
J
K
L
Lacertilian
Typically features a rectangular or square body with a rounded torso in a sprawling or semi-erect posture. Heads are usually triangular or rounded, and mounted on short or semi-long necks, and they typically have semi-short to long tails. The tail can be stiff or prehensile. The feet feature four to five digits with non-retractable claws and are typically plantigrade. Most have no external ears, and have eyes situated on the sides of the head. The nostrils can either be forward facing or in line with the eyes. Certain species are quasi-bipedal.
Lemurin
Typically features a rectangular body with an erect or semi-erect posture, and position in a quasi-bipedal or bipedal upright position. The head is lightly oval or rounded with either a short snout or flattened nose, front-facing eyes, and ears positioned on the sides of the head. While hind legs are usually longer, all four feet tend to have four to five digits, including opposable thumbs. They commonly feature semi-long to long tails that often are prehensile.
Lagomorphan
Typically features a robust, compact body in a semi-erect to erect posture. When sitting the vertebra is often semi-vertical or vertical, giving a more upright positioning of the body. An elongated head is usually mounted on a short neck, featuring mouth with two sets of front-facing incisors. The front legs are usually shorter than the hind legs, but all four feature up to five digits on plantigrade feet. The hind legs are long and powerful, adapted for hopping and leaping gaits.
Lepticidan
Typically features a robust, compact body in an erect posture. When sitting the vertebra is often semi-vertical or vertical, giving a more upright positioning of the body. An elongated head rest on a short neck, with a long snout or trunk whose mouth commonly has one or two pairs of incisors. The hind legs are significantly elongated in comparison to the front legs, though differently from lagomorphans and macropodans were adapted for running rather than hopping. The front legs are usually similar to muridins, featuring opposing thumbs and each digit having a non-retractable claw-like nail. They also commonly feature long tails, sometimes prehensile.
M
Macropodan
Typically features a triangle body with a slimmer thorax and broader hips in a bipedal, erect posture. The head is elongated but typically has a blunt end, situated on a short or semi-short neck. The hind legs are significantly elongated and powerful in comparison to the front legs and adapted to a hopping gait, with digitigrade feet featuring up to five digits with short nails. The front legs can also have up to five digits, sometimes including opposing thumbs. A semi-long, thick, and stiff tail adds balance and is sometimes utilized as a third supporting limb when standing upright.
Medusean
Typically features a body made out mesoglea contained by two epithelia. They typically consist of a globule body of rounded, semi-rounded, oblong, or serpentine shape. Locomotion is achieved either by featuring an umbrella-like bell on the top, or by utilizing combs of cilia. Most feature tentacles, feelers, or proboscis – sometimes prehensile or retractable – that are used for defense and/or hunting.
Mosoran
Typically features a triangular or rectangular, streamline body with either or both pectoral and pelvic limbs adapted into flippers. The head is usually large and vaguely triangular, mounted on a short neck, with a long snout. The tail can either taper off and flatten on the vertical plane, or it can end in a vertical spatula-like paddle. Dorsal and ventral fins are typically absent.
Muridin
Typically features a robust body with short limbs and long tails that are sometimes prehensile. The head usually had a long snout, and the mouth features a set of forward-facing incisors. Most have a semi-erect or erect posture, with plantigrade feet that feature up to five digits – including opposable thumbs – on the front legs and three to five digits on the hind legs. Each digit feature non-retractable, claw-like nails.
N
Neopteran
Typically features a rectangular or oval body of varying length, with a sprawling or semi-erect posture. One pair of a total of three pairs of legs are sometimes forward facing or adapted into pincers or similar, but otherwise tend to end in one to two hook-like digits. Those that feature wings are typically able to fold them close to the body, and the wings’ functionality can vary. The heads are usually small with compound eyes dominating most of its surface and a pair of mandibles mounted either on its front or underside. Some feature antennae on the head and/or the tail end, or may have pincer-like appendages or feelers.
O
Ornitopodan
Typically features a triangle body with a slimmer thorax and broader hips in a bipedal, semi-erect or erect posture. The head is elongated but typically has a blunt end or is beak-like, situated on a short or semi-short neck. The hind legs are significantly elongated and powerful in comparison to the front legs with digitigrade feet featuring up to five digits with short nails. The front legs can also have up to five digits, sometimes including opposing thumbs. A semi-long, thick, and stiff tail adds balance and is sometimes utilized as a third supporting limb when standing upright.
P
Palaeopteran
Typically features a short, rectangular body fitted with six elongated legs with hook-like ends. The head is round and mostly dominated by large compound eyes. The mandibles rest on the head’s underside and they can sometimes also feature antennae. Flight is achieved using two pairs of large diaphanous wings that can move independently but can’t be folded in against the body. They typically feature a long, tail-like appendage made of several segments that sometimes end in feelers, antennae, or pincers.
Passerinan
Typically features a teardrop body with a short neck, a pair of wings, and a semi-long to long tail. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone, and they most commonly hold a pillar-erect posture. The feet are usually digitigrade, with three to four forward-facing digits and a single backward-facing digit. Each digit features a talon or claw-like nail.
Pecoran
Typically features a triangular or rectangular body shape with an erect or pillar-erect posture. Snouts feature a blunt end, and the neck length can vary but is typically broad. Feet feature four toes, but they rarely walk on more than two, while the second pair are much smaller and seldom touch the ground. Common other features are a tail, a pair of ears, and horns or antlers.
Pistosin
Typically features a teardrop, streamlined body with both the pectoral and pelvic limbs adapted into flippers. The head is mounted on a long neck, and they sometimes also feature a tail. Dorsal and ventral fins are rare but not unheard of.
Polypan
Typically features a body made out mesoglea contained by two epithelia, shaped like a sessile polyp. This polyp can be solitary or as a larger organism made out of several polyp-like zooids. They typically always have a radial symmetry where a mouth is surrounded by tentacles or proboscis.
Pteran
Typically features a teardrop body with the forelimbs adapted into large wings, with a leathery membrane stretching between lengthened fingers and usually attaching to the side of the body and hind legs. The hind legs are typically small and in a sprawling or semi-erect posture. The head is typically long and triangular, with a beak-like mouth.
Q
R
Raptoran
Typically features a teardrop body with a short to long neck, a pair of wings, and semi-long to long tail. Depending on hunting tactics the wings can be large and broad, or long and narrow. The head is usually oval with a prominent set of eyes and a hooked beak. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone, and they most commonly hold a pillar-erect posture. The feet usually feature two to three forward-facing digits and one to two backward-facing digits, each set with sharp talons.
S
Salientian
Typically features a triangular or square, robust body with a sprawling posture. A round or triangular head rests on a short neck, with a large and toothless maw and usually a large set of eyes. The hind legs are significantly larger and longer, adapted to a hopping gait. All four limbs feature three to five digits, typically connected to each other with a webbed membrane. A long, sticky, and sometimes prehensile, tongue is used for hunting.
Saurin
Typically features a large, square or rectangular body with robust legs in a semi-erect or erect posture. Their feet are usually plantigrade, with short and stubbly toes. The head usually has a wide snout with a blunt end and sits mounted on a long neck, and they normally also feature long tails.
Selachin
Typically features a triangular, streamlined body with the head mounted on a short, broad neck. The body tapers off into a vertically aligned spatula-like paddle. Front limbs consist of a pair of pectoral flippers, and they typically feature at least one dorsal fin but don’t always feature ventral fins. The heads are usually vaguely triangular, but snout tends to be blunt with a wide jaw.
Serpentan
Typically features a long, tubular body with one end having a triangular or oblong head and the other tapering off into a tail. Does not utilize extremities for locomotion. The skeletal structure shouldn’t feature a pectoral girdle or pelvic skeleton.
Sirenian
Typically features a triangular, streamlined body with the head mounted on a short, broad neck. The body tapers off into a horizontally aligned spatula-like paddle. Front limbs consist of a pair of pectoral flippers, with or without proto-nails/claws. The head is typically broad, and depending on diet can feature a snout sharing similarities with caniforman, feliforman, or pecoran lifeforms.
Strigiforman
Typically features a teardrop body with a distinctively upright stance. The wings are usually large and broad, and the rounded head mounted on a short but flexible neck. The head typically has a flattened front dominated by a large set of eyes and a broad and short hooked beak. The hips are typical to many birds with a backward-oriented pubic bone, and they most commonly hold a pillar-erect posture. The feet usually feature two to three forward-facing digits and one to two backward-facing digits, each set with sharp talons.
Suinan
Typically features a rectangular, robust body with a triangular head, large ears, short legs and a semi-short to short tail. Distinctive traits are a snout that usually end in a cartilaginous disc and the eyes being small relative to the size of the head. The feet can have two to four digits, but they typically only walk on the middle two, with a semi-erect to erect posture. Tusks are a common feature among both male and female specimens.
T
Testudin
Typically features a square body enclosed within a carapace made of keratin, and usually hold a sprawling posture. The feet are usually either plantigrade fitted with non-retractable claws or evolved into flippers. Tails tend to be short or absent, and the heads tend to be small with a beaked mouth and are typically mounted on a long and muscular neck.
Tethythin
Typically features a large, square, or rectangular body with robust legs in a semi-erect or erect posture. Their feet are usually plantigrade, with short and stubbly toes. Heads tend to be triangular and the necks short to semi-long, and tails either short or absent. Horns or tusks, or both, are commonly featured.
Theropodan
Typically features a rectangular or triangular body, with a slimmer thorax and wider hips, in a semi-erect or erect posture. A large head with a sizeable snout is mounted on a short to semi-long, broad neck. The eyes are typically forward-facing. A long and/or thick tail provides balance for the semi-vertically aligned body. The front legs are typically underdeveloped in comparison and typically feature three to five digits with non-retractable claws, sometimes including opposable thumbs, but often lack capacity for pronation. Powerful hind legs have feet with three to four front-facing digits and sometimes a single backward-facing digit, set with non-retractable claws, and are commonly digitigrade.
U
V
W
X
Xenarthan
Typically features a rectangular or triangular body in a semi-erect or erect posture. The head usually features a semi-long snout and is mounted on a short to semi-long, broad neck. A long and/or thick tail provides balance. The front legs are usually shorter and can feature three to five digits with non-retractable claws but lacks capacity for pronation. The hind legs have feet with three to four front-facing digits and sometimes a single backward-facing digit, set with non-retractable claws. In some species the claws, especially on the front legs, are considerably oversized.
Y
Z
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