From: BIOHZD [BIOHZD@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, 21 April, 1998 1:17 To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Generalization of Life Hey All, Without getting into a long discussion (we're too close to finishing Archipelago to slow down now, he...he...he) here are some general comments regarding this way cool biological list thread. In no particular order: 1. I am extremely pleased that people are using the information in the book to make assumptions and support theories. That was very much an intended purpose of the setting's design. Thanks for making my day ; ) ! 2. Don't forget - greater whites are obligate filter feeders in addition to being predators. Check out that description again... 3. Specialization is usually a better indicator of the stability/longevity of a habitat, rather than the age of a specific species. That's why rain forests and coral reefs have the highest species diversity on the real Earth - the more stable an environment the narrower the niches that can be filled by natural selection. The individual species may not be "old", but by default their habitat has to be. 4. Remember that there are only 25 species in the first book. There will be lots of new and interesting things in the upcoming _GEO Field Guide_ and the trends there should be a lot clearer and rather more telling... 5. I would argue that several of the species described in BP have as specific and complex adaptations as any Earth bound specialists. Examples: a. sexual-dimorphism of the loggerhead b. hydrogen buoyancy of the blimp c. seaweaver net building 6. The sunbursts may be mammaloid analogs, but there are several smaller mammal species here on Earth with relatively low basal metabolic rates - the sloth for example can take up to 45 minutes to drown, and only defecates one per week at most. (Sounds like me after too much gaming?) Additionally plankton is over 80% protein, and therefore much more nutritious than the average foods of comparably-sized Earthly mammals. Grass maybe easy to come by, but it is a very inefficient energy source - the constant eating, four stomachs, cud chewing, lot's o' bacteria, and *oh my* the methane! ; ). 7. Most biological rules, such as the larger the animal the closer to the base of the food web it is, are really more trends than fixed laws. Great whites are top trophic level predators that can reach almost 2 tons. And don't forget the largest predator alive today (and my personal favorite) - the sperm whale. It reaches 70 feet eating squid...albeit rather large ones. ; ) Anyway, enough brain usage for tonight, I've used up my ration for the week... Later all, Jeff Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD [BIOHZD@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, 21 April, 1998 1:18 To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Poseidon scenery Hey Paul, You ask: This may seem like a dumb question, but does Poseidon have anything like the Aurora Borealis? >>>>Most certainly - if for no other reason than the Aurora is one of the most fantastic and magical things you could ever see. What RPG setting would be complete without that kind of genuine wonder? Whoa...it must be late, Jeff "I be tired" Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Daniel Allard [dan@puente.jpl.nasa.gov] Sent: Tuesday, 21 April, 1998 14:09 To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Campaign comments... Hi Folks Just a quick "thank you" for all the responses on my campaign design questions - all of your input is appreciated. Now, back to planning that campaign... dan *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.