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While Ceratosaurus has been added to Ark Additions, rather than suggesting a concept on Ceratosaurus for its inclusion in Ark Survival Ascended on the Center map, my team and I have suggested the inclusion of a different yet once considered “controversial” species of Ceratosaurid from Argentina, known as Genyodectes. Common Name: Genyodectes Species: Genyodectes anoteros Time: Early Cretaceous Period Diet: Carnivore Temperament: Opportunistic Tameable: Yes Rideable: Yes Breedable: Yes Torpidity Immune: No Taming Method: Passive & Knockout Preferred Kibble: Superior Preferred Food: Raw Mutton Equipment: “Genyodectes Saddle” (Level 54- Crafted at either a Smithy or on an Argentavis saddle) Rider Weaponry: Yes Humans Can Carry: No Genyodectes artistic depiction designed by Deviantart user kingrexy at https://www.deviantart.com/kingrexy/art/Genyodectes-815452228 Wild "Across the plains, marshes, estuaries and transition zones of open woodlands throughout the Center, these habitats are the ideal hunting grounds for Genyodectes anoteros. This solitary hunter of small to medium-sized prey, this Ceratosaurid theropod is an adaptable ecological specialist, able to alter its diet depending on environmental conditions and thrive in semi-aquatic habitats”. "With its niche radiation across the Center, it is no wonder that its endurance and brute force are unmatched. Being able to stalk prey in the shadows without making a sound, combined with its agile nature, a robust skull design that is enforced by specialised jaw muscles and serrated teeth. Any prey that tries to escape from its grasp will experience a terrible fate, teeth designed to dig deeper into the flesh with every struggle. Causing mass haemorrhaging, and acting like a natural bear trap”. Domesticated "A sight to behold with its quick, keen and adept capabilities, in order to catch one or probably sneak up on the ambush expert are difficulties that most survivors consider not worth the challenge. However, rather than depending on a social hierarchy, nocturnal behaviour or sheer force, this flexible, smart, semi-aquatic and opportunistic predator appears more than just a perceived savage forager. Rather, a widespread top-predator at the top of its domain”. - Helena Walker Anatomy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genyodectes#/media/File:Genyodectes_saurus_jaws.jpg Discovered in 1901 by English Palaeontologist Sir Arthur Smith Woodward from the Cerro Barcino Formation also known as the Gorro Frigio Formation in the Chubut Province of Argentina. The holotype uncovered that belonged to Genyodectes consisted of an incomplete snout with the premaxilla, contents from both maxillas of the skull, the right and left dentary or the lower jawbone, numerous long, curved teeth, a fragment of the left splenial and bones above the dentary (the supradentaries). These were the only skeletal pieces known of this organism which was the second non-avian dinosaur excavated from South America. https://www.deviantart.com/jorobania/art/Genyodectes-skull-reconstruction-934358036 Genyodectes was not originally designated as a Ceratosaurus and rather as a nomen dubium or an “unknown application” of theropod, which over a span of a hundred years of argumentation over fragmented evidence. Genyodectes would be designated its own genus containing one type species known as Genyodectes serus. Genyodectes (which originates from the words "jaw" and "bite" in Greek) became a major significant specimen of dinosauria uncovered from South America, being the most complete known South American theropod species until the 1970s. However, from 2000 to 2010, Genyodectes would be argued towards its ecological placement in the taxonomic order, with some arguing it was a megalosaurid, a tyrannosaurid, a “incertae sedis” and an abelisaurid (a senior synonym of Abelisaurus). In 2004, Oliver W. M. Rauhut concluded its taxonomic placement, primarily with reevaluation of the specimen. Genyodectes serus lacked important abelisaurid and tyrannosaurid synapomorphies that were shared by two or more taxa, primarily those with neoceratosaurian traits. This implied that Genyodectes was closer to and possibly descended from theropods related to the Late Jurassic Ceratosaurus than other derived abelisaurids. Rauhut specified “that the premaxillary teeth are arranged in an overlapping en echelon pattern with the longest maxillary teeth crowns no longer apicobasally than the minimal dorsoventral depth of the mandible. Differing from Ceratosaurus in the presence of four, as opposed to three, premaxillary teeth”, according to https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235907356_Provenance_and_anatomy_of_Genyodectes_serus_a_large-toothed_Ceratosaur_Dinosauria_Theropoda_from_Patagonia. https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0895981116301341-gr1.jpg and https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895981116301341 The paleoenvironment of Genyodectes from the Early to Late Cretaceous Cerro Barcino Formation within the Cerro Castaño stratigraphic member unit (the member is 113 to 100.5 million years old- Genyodectes is estimated to have existed from 112 million years ago) that contains evidence of humid flood-plain like conditions. This environment allowed for a wide array of fauna to thrive, including the Peirosaurid Barcinosuchus gradilis, the Gigantosaurin Carcharodontosaurid known as Tyrannotitan chubutensis, titanosaurids such as the lognkosaur Patagotitan mayorum (which existed 101.62 million years ago), Chubutisaurus insignis, abelisaurus remains, Lepidosaur reptiles like Kaikaifilusaurus minimus, and Testudinata turtles such as Chubutemys copelloi and Prochelidella cerrobarcinae. Design, Behaviour and AI The first way to make Genyodectes a unique dinosaur when compared to in-game and current therapods would be in both its wild and domesticated behaviour. This would make first encounters with Genyodectes unique and possibly memorable. The below concept art was created by myself (MonstersHunters) as a basic sketch on the suggested behaviours. A Genyodectes outmanoeuvring a Parasaurolophus - Illustrated by MonstersHunters The movement of Genyodectes should be different from other predators currently in Ark. Built for flat habitats such as estuaries, flood-meadows and marshes, a Genyodectes will lock onto prey and begin chasing it. However, it will bend and turn (serpentine) in a random ordeal to outmanoeuvre and confuse its prey, allowing it to ensnare or outpace its prey target given the environment (the Center has a large amount of cliffs, waterfalls and hillsides, which can be used as either ideal or avoidable recommendations for hunting depending on the individual Genyodectes). This behaviour I believe would work better than continuing with the simple biting and mauling its prey in a simple hitbox locked-on fashion like a majority of the creatures currently in Ark, while also making Genyodectes unique from other theropods in a single process. A Genyodectes grabbing and crushing a Pachycephalosaurus - Illustrated by MonstersHunters Similar to Kaprosuchus and Sarcosuchus, when Genyodectes grabs a prey item (ranging from a Compsognathus to a Human in size), both its teeth and specialised jaw muscles snap shut and lock the prey item in place. Immediately causing haemorrhaging and internal bleeding. Genyodectes would have fed on small ornithischians, mammals, possibly fish and fast-moving prey sources in its Early Cretaceous environment in the floodplains of South America. Using its robust head and jaw anatomy designed and specialised for biting and stopping prey in their tracks. The proximity based recognition of a Wild Genyodectes - Illustrated by MonstersHunters When wild Genyodectes are hunting or are preparing to ambush a target, its AI will lock onto the smallest, weakest or slowest target in a given range. To be realistic to an extent, Genyodectes like most therapods would probably take advantage of specific (slower, smaller, weaker or injured) prey sources (being opportunistic). In the above image, rather than targeting or locking onto an Iguanodon or a Gallimimus, a smaller prey item that can’t fight back or run away such as a Pegomastax would be a desired prey item. A Genyodectes scaring a pair of Utahraptors off a Stegosaurid Carcass - Illustrated by MonstersHunters The next key behavioural factor present in both wild and domesticated Genyodectes, would be its ability to kick smaller therapods off of caracesses and carrion. Applying to all non-avian theropods in nature, Ceratosaurus and Genyodectes were not full-time scavengers like vultures. Though In a majority of recent pop culture and TV-show depictions of this theropod family, Ceratosaurus itself is portrayed as either a weaker and more “useless” theropod in its paleoenvironment or as scavenger (in reality, pterosaurs would have most likely have filled scavenger-related roles) of the carcasses from larger theropods such as Saurophaganax, Torvosaurus, Lourinhanosaurus or Allosaurus (or Tyrannotitan and abelisaurids in the case of Genyodectes). When given the opportunity, Genyodectes will threaten and force smaller scavengers ranging from compys to ravagers off of non-harvested caresses or injured prey items (applying a temporary debuff somewhat similar to the Yutyrannus Terror/Fear ability). A Genyodectes fishing for a Coelacanth - Illustrated by MonstersHunters The final key behavioural factor is a behavioural ability, applied to Ceratosaurids in general. Proposals in 2004 by Robert Baker and Gary Bir, and challenged in 2019 by Chan-gyn Yun, the body of Ceratosaurus was long, flexible and low to the ground, coupled with tall vertical neural spines and deep chevron bones on the underside of its tail. Ceratosaurus would have had a crocodile-like tail that convergently would have been used towards swimming in times of ecological changes. When desired prey sources such as sauropods or stegosaurids were no longer abundant/absent in a surrounding habitat, Ceratosaurus could switch its niche or diet plan towards hunting aquatic prey items like lungfish (Ceratosaurus teeth are abundant in excavation points where prehistoric lungfish specimens have been recovered in the Morrison Formation) depending on the surrounding changes in available prey sources, or the environment the Ceratosaurus adapted to. While this is present in Ceratosaurus, Genyodectes has been uncovered from the Cerro Barcino Formation in the Chubut Province of Argentina. This formation contains member layers from different geographical positions that provide time estimates from the Early Cretaceous, specifically in this case, the Cerro Castaño that contains evidence of humid flood-plain like conditions that could have seen Genyodectes perform niche partitioning by having a wide-ecological collection of prey items. This means that Genyodectes could have possibly been semi-aquatic. Also in the scenario that future evidence proves these theories wrong, it is a unique speculative concept that could be incorporated into a fictional species of Genyodectes for Ark. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the design, Genyodectes should have the above behavioural traits adapted into its final design, but should also appear slightly larger in size (about 2 to 3 feet taller), mainly due its niche diversity in the Center ecosystem that resulted in a larger size, as well as having to compete with other fictional species of predators: https://everythingdinosaurs.weebly.com/genyodectes.html Genyodectes could also features present in other Ceratosaurids like the Italian ceratosaurid Saltriovenator and Ceratosaurus in its design: A Great Artistic Recreation of Saltriovenator by Brennan Stokkermans at https://brennanstokkermans.artstation.com/projects/w82zxL. and A detailed 3d sculpt model of Ceratosaurus by 3D Artist Jonathan Harris at https://www.artstation.com/artwork/nQDPB4 Note that one key detail present in both illustrations or depictions of Ceratosaurid theropods is the inclusion of a layer of skin that covered the teeth, essentially a false “lip”. Another way to distinguish Genyodectes anoteros is through these small details. A large majority of Ark Survival Evolved’s current theropod dinosaurs either lack reptilian-like “lips” (not true lips like those in mammals) such as the Rex, Spinosaurus, Utahraptor, Giganotosaurus and Allosaurus, or are semi-lipped like the Megalosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus and Carnotaurus. To oversimplify, skin coverings would have been present on most theropods, birds (skin coverings are present in some birds like eagles, emus, rheas, secretary birds, crested caracara and puffins which do lack teeth, but have these forms of extra oral tissue) and reptiles (such as monitor lizards, tuatara, agamids, geckos and iguanas - excluding crocodilians) to protect the outer enamel and parts of the tooth from outside elements that could cause wear and tear or destroy the tooth. To constantly replace damaged teeth would be taxing on these dinosaurs, so after much debate in the paleontological community, skin coverings over the teeth have been speculated and specified to have existed in theropods ranging from Spinosaurids to Dromaeosaurids and Abelisaurids (including Ceratosaurids). Genyodectes anoteros males should have a unique or vibrant crest display as a form of sexual display. The tails in both males and females should also be muscular and large in relation to their adaptive radiation from a terrestrial to semi-aquatic swift/agility based lifestyle. Its legs and body plan should be designed or intended towards outrunning or outmanoeuvring prey, similar to its behavioural factors. This means a lower to the ground body posture with a long and flexible torso region coupled with proportionally yet muscular sized legs to carry its estimated 905 kilograms (1995.18 pounds) in weight (in 2016, Genyodectes serus was estimated to be 6.25 metres in length and 790 kilograms (1741.65 pounds/lb) in weight. Ceratosaurus’s weight was calculated at 980 kgs or 2160.53 lbs in maximum weight. The fictional species should be somewhere in between both estimates). A final detail would be that Genyodectes should have a randomly scattered osteoderm covered skin pattern/texture, similar to Abelisaurids like Carnotaurus. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abilities and Advantages - Genyodectes anoteros is designed and built for agility and brute force. Unlike other theropods, Genyodectes has a 50% stamina reduction characteristic. - When running and sprinting, Genyodectes receives an ability known as “Serration”. When in combat with larger opponents, the amount of energy built up as momentum collides with the target and can deal an increased percentage of damage depending on the amount of time sprinting or the amount of energy behind the attack (such as running downhill - ranging on a scale from 5 to 10 times more damage output). This ability still applies in shallow, knee-deep water for the Genyo, but can be disabled if in a lake or deeper water body. - With enough energy and correct timing, both tamed and wild Genyodectes anoteros can apply an attack known as “Dissection” when confronting smaller targets. Ranging from a compsognathus or noglin in size to a human, this ability is an alternative to Serration. The Genyo can grip a target based on its jaw and skeletal adaptations that are intended towards snapping its jaws shut and tearing away flesh. This means that the longer a small prey item is held in its jaws, the teeth dig deeper into the muscle tissue and cause a bleeding debuff similar to the “gnashed” condition. This will continue until either enough damage is applied on the Genyo, a torpor effect is applied or the prey item dies. - With its behaviours, wild Genyodectes movements are based on calculating or measuring the movement of its prey target, which allows it to quickly out-manoeuvre its prey. When riding a tamed Genyodectes, twisting and turning allows it to maintain a majority of its momentum and can allow it to maintain its stamina in a controlled fashion. If you run into a tree, rock or charge your target by applying "Serration” on a larger target, its momentum will be slowed or be stopped completely. - The Genyodectes has the ability to dismount players off of tames, including Phiomias, Parasaurolophus, Iguanodons, Equus, Dire Wolves, Terror Birds, Megaloceros, Kaprosuchus, Sabertooth, Mantas, Pteranodon, Pelagornis, Gallimimus and Pachycephalosaurus (Lymantria, Ravagers, Thorny Dragons, Mantis, Andrewsarchus, Shadowmanes and Velonasaurus for creatures outside of the Center Map). - The Genyo can switch its attacks from mauling and biting a target to clawing or slashing instead, both applying different melee-based damage amounts. Biting deals more damage to a single target, while slashing can deal around the same total approximation of damage, instead distributed in total (adding up to said total) across multiple targets in a swing cycle. - The Genyo has a weight/carrying reduction of 25% towards specific harvested items such as hide, keratin, fur, oil and chitin. - The Genyodectes prefers to hunt solitary and can receive a negative debuff when hunting alongside other pack members that are male or are outside of its specific mate (mateboosted) and/or its offspring. Ceratosaurids are speculated to have hunted less in packs, but rather in family units between mates and sub-adult offspring. This means that offspring can receive a boost in imprinting with hunting experience alongside their parents and a survivor. - Tamed and raised Genyodectes can be imprinted and taught to ambush targets if outside of a flat or plateau-based area, being able to walk in a crawl-like fashion that can be altered or is accessible via the behaviour panel. This gives off limited sound cues when hunting, primarily for enemy players. - The Genyo can escape net projectiles from a harpoon launcher and will after an encounter, a wild Genyodectes anoteros will try to outmanoeuvre a net. Weaknesses - The most major weakness to Genyodectes is long-ranged weaponry, primarily chain bolas and catapult turrets. While the net gun’s net can be torn apart by the Genyodectes, chain bolas can easily ensnare and stop a Genyodectes in its tracks, if a player recognises the direction it's running in. Another alternative is a chalicotherium, which can easily obstruct and kill a weak Genyo if it is not in flat terrain. - The Genyo can not dismount players off of tames including Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Argentavis, Procoptodon, Thylacoleo, large theropods taller than an Allosaurus and certain Aquatic mounts including Ichthyosaurus, megalodon, Basilosaurus, and Sarcosuchus (creatures on other maps include Griffins, Magmasaurus, Bloodstalkers and Astrocetus). - The last debuff to the Genyo is that at night when in combat with a Megalosaurus, the Genyo receives a 15% health regeneration debuff and a 10% movement speed decrease when in combat with both domesticated/tamed and wild Megalosaurus (making it a perfect counter in certain scenarios). - While the Genyo can swim and has a tail designed towards agility both on land and in the water, the Genyo can drown (has an oxygen metre) after an extended period of time. Taming Method: While a Genyo can be tamed with narcotics, kibble and raw mutton, the easiest method is to use a passive tame. Using Ghillie armour, a player can instead cooperate with a Genyodectes in a handful to a series of ambushes of a selected prey target. After participating in an ambush, a player can feed the Genyodectes its preferred food item (mutton or superior kibble which reduces the number of ambushes that have to be performed). Passive grants higher taming progression when compared to knockout taming. One key detail with Wid Genyodectes that can be critical in the taming process, comes down to trapping the animal. In open environments such as floodplains and the undergrowths of marshland, Genyodectes can easily out manoeuvre and overrun prey sources, though if someone was to trap it with a large bear trap or in a foundation-based cage with gates. The Genyo will have nowhere to run. A player can also use an Equus’s kicks to apply an increased amount of torpor on a Genyo. Spawning Locations: https://ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Resource_Map/The_Center With Genyodectes being specialised for various environments on the Center map. Genyodectes anoteros spawns in both the temperate regions in the Snowy Grasslands (Uncommon) and the Western Cliffs (Rare) on the Western Landmass of the Center, as well as the open woodlands and estuaries of the Southern Jungle (Rare), the Southern Tropical Island (Common), the Northern Tropical Island (Common), and the flat regions of the Bridge (Very Rare) Any suggestions and comments please reply below. These are my team's suggestions, so all credit and reference goes to them for the idea (s). Thanks. - MonstersHunters For those interested in Genyodectes outside of this suggestion, I would recommend checking out the Prehistoric Beasts mod for Ark on the Steam Workshop at https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2003934830 created by mod authour Crysta. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Barcino_Formation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genyodectes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratosaurus https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-genyodectes-144686459/ https://dinopedia.fandom.com/wiki/Genyodectes https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235907356_Provenance_and_anatomy_of_Genyodectes_serus_a_large-toothed_Ceratosaur_Dinosauria_Theropoda_from_Patagonia https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1342937X19302886 https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/march/dinosaurs-may-have-had-scaly-lips-protect-teeth-from-damage.html https://www.science.org/content/article/t-rex-lips-new-study-suggests https://www.deseret.com/2023/4/4/23664529/t-rex-dinos-had-lips-not-exposed-teeth
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- new creature
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