Amphimorpho (Main Article)

A basal form amphimorpho resembles a mammalian creature with a long, serpentine body with 4 or 6 limbs (one or two sets of front limbs and one set of hind limbs), a strong and prehensile tail with a thick base that tapers off towards the end, a head with a round snout lacking nostrils, and rabbit-like ears capable of pivoting independent of each other. Most individuals also possess a belly pouch; this may be a vestigial trait, as it does not appear to serve any vital purpose.

Figure 1: handwritten notes on basic physical species traits.

Figure 2: drawing study to understand the outer anatomy.

The average length of a full-grown amphimorpho is about 1.8 - 2 m (6 - 7 ft) from snout to rear, and the tail is anywhere between 1.5 - 2x that length. They are surprisingly lightweight for an organism their size, typically not reaching more than 115 kg (~250 lbs).

Amphimorpho are arboreal animals with several adaptions for this lifestyle; their large, semi-dexterous paws are able to cling to most surfaces, allowing them to scale trees and smooth walls alike with ease, and they possess large, forward-facing eyes that give them exceptional depth perception. Their bodies are also extremely flexible, and the prehensile tail acts as an extra limb to grab onto tree branches.

Figure 3 (right): A and B show the top and bottom view of the front paws, respectively; C and D showcase the flexibility of the paw shape, which is capable of grasping objects with the help of a pseudo-thumb; another adaption for an arboreal lifestyle.

Their bodies are covered in a soft, dense fur that comes in a variety of patterns, but most commonly has a bi-colored, countershaded scheme (“tuxedo” patterning, hence the species’ nickname). They can change their colors rapidly and with ease, and it's possible that some individuals use this to communicate.

Colors range from darker blacks, grays, and browns, and occasionally may look bluish, reddish, or greenish, to tan, cream, and white. Some rare varieties present solid colors, or only light colors (likely a form of leucism, though several colonies of desert-dwelling individuals have naturally adapted lighter coats due to their environment).

Figure 4 (left): amphimorpho come in a wide range of colors and patterns.

“Amphimorpho” is both the taxonomic and common name of the species, and is derived from the Greek words ἀμφί (amphí), meaning “both sides”, and μορφή (morphḗ), meaning shape or form. Other names the species is referred to include the shortened “morpho” and the nickname “tuxedo dragon”, alluding to the common coat pattern many display. The final name was chosen after suggestions were taken from crew members on the Infinity involved with or with connections to Project Delta.

As with many other alien species that were discovered on Terranova, the taxonomic classification has yet to be confirmed for amphimorpho, in large part due to uncertainty of how to classify alien organisms under human-made taxonomic parameters. Thus far, they can be grouped under the class Xenomammalia together with other, similar alien species. Their status as chimeras, however, further complicates this process.

A temporary classification has been suggested, placing them in the family Chamaeleopsidae and genus Proteus together with their origin species, P. protomorpho, as they share anywhere between 75 - 90% of the same DNA and are physically similar in appearance.

All names, with the exception of species names, are subject to change once a consensus on xenobiological classifications can be reached.

3.1 Chimeric Genetics

3.2 Subspecies

4.1 Presence on Terrarium

4.2 Diet & Metabolism

Due to their adaptability, amphimorpho are generally considered to have an omnivorous digestive system, and have been observed to eat a variety of both plant and animal products when given the chance (one could say they are quite opportunistic in their feeding habits). Despite this, they often default to an almost entirely frugivorous diet when it is available.

Amphimorpho have nutritional requirements that have been found to be almost standard across the majority of the species’ population. Daily, they must consume close to 6000 calories as a baseline to remain healthy long term. This, however, may not be a sufficient amount to utilize their shapeshifting abilities on a regular basis, and they are capable of consuming a great deal more. One individual was observed eating a whopping 60,000 calories when given ample food, with few ill side-effects! Amphimorpho bodies appear to be extremely efficient at storing and using nutrients; the exact metabolic processes behind this remain unstudied.

The species will commonly consume all manner of fruits and berries; including varieties from Terranova and Terrarium, which are often more calorie dense than fruit from Earth, flowers and nectars, roots, fungi, nuts and seeds, and honey, considered a highly-prized treat. Also included in their diet, though on a less frequent basis, are grasses and vegetation, fish, insects (they have a preference for the larval stage of many insects, it seems), and smaller animals. They are generally poor hunters, and thus consume animal products on a very rare basis. Their acute sense of taste might also explain why they tend to avoid grazing on abundant, though bland, grassy vegetation, but this topic has not been fully researched.

In general, amphimorpho are described as being playful, curious, affectionate, and expressive creatures, though it should also be noted that they display a range of personalities comparable to humans. They are intelligent, showing an ability to reason, process, and communicate on the same levels as most human beings. It has been suggested they be classified as a sapient species, though such a decision has yet to be formalized.

Amphimorpho are rarely aggressive, and have been observed to attack only in pressing situations where they may feel trapped and threatened. More often than not, they prefer to flee from danger, and are known to be excellent escape artists.

An amphimorpho will attack via lunging at its target and biting with a surprising amount of bite force (measured in one instance at about 220 PSI, close to that of some large-sized dogs) that may cause blunt trauma and pierce the skin. Their teeth are not especially sharp, and used almost solely for this purpose.

Figure 5 (right): handwritten notes on the amphimorpho dentary.

5.1 Intelligence

Amphimorpho have commonly been noted to be eager learners, and may pick up on certain tasks, activities, or mannerisms very quickly. They’ve even been reported to mimic their human caretakers down to expressions and movements, which some might find either comical or irritating.

They can make and use tools and be trained to do complex tasks, most notably farming and caring for other organisms. They can also be taught difficult concepts such as mathematics and language, and have additionally been shown to learn these complex skills from one another. On Terrarium, they've shown a capacity for building up societal structures and a culture of their own.

5.2 Interactions with Other Species

Amphimorpho get along extremely well with their own kind as well as other species. They’ve been observed bonding with dogs, cats, and rats, and seem to easily adapt to reading these organisms’ behavior patterns. They interact with humans on a level that might suggest that they see themselves as equals, and subsequently enjoy working alongside and helping their human companions, even forming strong emotional bonds with them.

5.3 Social Structures

With their own kind, amphimorpho are generally very social and form groups of many individuals, called a “suit”, “social”, or “gala”. A lone amphimorpho is often anxious and fearful, and will seek out companionship wherever possible. The desire to form groups with others is likely a residual instinct from P. protomorpho, a small prey animal whose survival depends on staying together as a colony.

5.4 Reproduction & Life Cycle

The natural reproductive cycle of amphimorpho remains a poorly understood subject, and data is inconsistent between different observations. This has come about due to the artificial means of breeding that were used for so long aboard the Infinity, and because of the species’ chimeric nature that combines the traits of many other species.

6.1 Healing & Regeneration

6.2 Limits of Ability

6.3 Imprinting

6.4 Cell Memory & Information Transfer

6.5 Form Classification