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| == Fauna of Gondara ==
| | '''Fauna of Gondara''' is the central directory of Gondara's named animal life. Species are listed by basic animal type. Each entry links to its own article, where its biology and home regions are documented. |
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| ★ Foundational Canon
| | == Mammals == |
| | * [[Giant Hairy Sloth]] |
| | * [[Novak Strider]] |
| | * [[Plains Bison]] |
| | * [[Ruunhound]] |
| | * [[Stonehide Grath]] |
| | * [[Thieving Monkeys]] † |
| | * [[Titan Bear]] |
| | * [[Titania Freshwater Dolphin]] |
| | * [[Titania Redleaf Climber]] |
| | * [[Titanwood Skyrunner]] |
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| The fauna of Gondara reflects the continent’s isolated evolutionary environment and the immense ecological systems that dominate its geography. Vast forests, open plains, deep freshwater systems, and swamp basins support a range of highly specialized species.
| | == Birds == |
| | * [[Murkwood Raptor]] (also called Hollow Raptor) |
| | * [[Titanwood Raptor]] |
| | * [[Wilds Raptor]] |
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| Many Gondaran animals evolved under the environmental pressures created by the [[Titanwood Forests]], the [[Murkwood Forest]], the [[Great Plains]], and the [[Great River Basin]]. The result is a collection of predators, grazers, and arboreal species adapted to extreme terrain and dense ecological competition.
| | == Reptiles == |
| | * [[Fly Snake]] |
| | * [[Large Reptilian Water Predators]] † |
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| This page records the major canonical fauna defined within Gondaran ecological systems.
| | == Fish == |
| | | * [[Leviathan Pike]] |
| == Major Faunal Regions ==
| | * [[Talakar Reef Shark]] |
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| Wildlife distribution across Gondara follows several primary ecological zones:
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| * [[Titanwood Forests]]
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| * [[Murkwood Forest]]
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| * [[The Wilds]]
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| * [[Novak Steppe]]
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| * [[Great Plains]]
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| * [[Great River Basin]]
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| * [[Lake Titania]]
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| Each region produces distinct predator hierarchies and species adaptations.
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| == Titanwood Fauna ==
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| The immense canopy systems of the [[Titanwood Forests]] create one of the most vertically complex ecosystems on the continent. Multiple ecological layers exist from the forest floor to the upper canopy hundreds of feet above ground.
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| Species adapted to these environments often specialize in vertical mobility, ambush predation, and canopy navigation.
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| === Titan Bear ===
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| ''Titanursus mastodens''
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| Biome: [[Titanwood Forests]] & [[Titania Basin]]
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| The Titan Bear is one of the largest terrestrial predators in Gondara.
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 1,600–2,200 lbs
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| * Standing reach: 8–10 feet
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| * Apex omnivore | |
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| Titan Bears form seasonal pair bonds and rely heavily on Titanwood mast cycles. They supplement their diet with fish during seasonal runs and become highly territorial during cub rearing.
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| Unlike many large predators, Titan Bears show a degree of **semi-tolerant behavior toward human settlements**, typically avoiding populated areas unless severe food pressure occurs.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Kodiak Bear × Grizzly Bear
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| === Titanwood Raptor ===
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| ''Gondaravis falcipes titanensis''
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| Biome: [[Titanwood Forests]]
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| A large canopy predator belonging to the Gondaran raptor family.
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 180–200 lbs
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| * Hypertrophied sickle claw used for targeted soft-tissue strikes
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| * Capable of vertical canopy drop attacks
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| Titanwood Raptors rely on decisive ambush tactics, striking prey from above with a single powerful attack before disengaging.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Terror Bird × Jaguar
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| === Titanwood Skyrunner ===
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| ''Arborprimus velox''
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| Biome: [[Titanwood Forests]] & [[Titania Basin]]
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| A highly mobile arboreal species capable of traversing Titanwood forests through gliding membranes.
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 25–40 lbs
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| * Social troop structures
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| * Complete vertical forest mobility
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| Skyrunners move through the canopy layers rather than along the forest floor.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Colugo × Spider Monkey
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| === Stonehide Grath ===
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| ''Titanopelta grathensis''
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| Biome: Titanwood forest edges and sparse corridors.
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| Traits:
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| * Length: 5–6 ft
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| * Weight: 250–400 lbs
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| * Overlapping dorsal armor plates
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| The Grath is a heavily armored insectivore that raids large insect colonies and excavates forest soil with powerful digging limbs.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Giant Pangolin × Giant Anteater
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| === Titania Redleaf Climber ===
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| ''Ailuravus titanensis''
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| Biome: [[Titania Basin]]
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| A smaller arboreal species adapted to the colder basin environment surrounding [[Lake Titania]].
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 15–25 lbs
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| * Arboreal fruit and insect feeder
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| * Basin-restricted distribution
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| Near-Peer Analog: Red Panda
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| == Murkwood Fauna ==
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| The dense and shadowed terrain of the [[Murkwood Forest]] favors stealth predators and cooperative hunting species.
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| === Murkwood Raptor ===
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| ''Gondaravis falcipes murkensis''
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 160–180 lbs
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| * Cooperative hunting tactics
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| * Blind-spot ambush strategy
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| Murkwood Raptors hunt in coordinated pairs. One individual distracts prey while the second attacks from a concealed position.
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| Permanent traits include whistle mimicry and terrain-based deception.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Mountain Lion × Wolf Pack Coordination × Forest Eagle
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| == Wilds Basin Fauna ==
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| The swamps and jungles of [[The Wilds]] produce aggressive pack predators adapted to dense terrain.
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| === Wilds Raptor ===
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| ''Gondaravis falcipes palustris''
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 80–100 lbs
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| * 3–6 member hunting pacts
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| * swarm-style harassment attacks
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| Wilds Raptors rely on repeated strike assaults and coordinated flanking behavior.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Velociraptor Pack × African Wild Dog
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| == Plains Fauna ==
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| The open grasslands of the [[Great Plains]] support large migratory grazers and endurance predators.
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| === Plains Bison ===
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| ''Bison gondarensis''
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| Biome: [[Great Plains]] and steppe regions.
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| Traits:
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| * Weight: 800–1,200 lbs
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| * mass grazing herds
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| * long seasonal migrations
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| These animals historically dominated the plains ecosystem before the expansion of agriculture.
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| Near-Peer Analog: American Bison
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| == Novak Steppe Species==
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| '''Novak Strider '''
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| The Novak Strider is a high-endurance Gondaran mount adapted to steppe and foothill terrain, known for its hard, narrow hooves, long-distance travel capability, and exceptional sure-footedness on uneven ground. While slower than horses in short bursts, Striders excel over distance and in difficult terrain. Their effective use requires skilled riders, making Novak mobility a function of training and experience rather than sheer numbers.
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| == Freshwater Apex Species ==
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| The freshwater systems of Gondara host several large aquatic predators.
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| === Leviathan Pike ===
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| ''Leviathanichthys titanica''
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| Biome: [[Lake Titania]]
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| Traits:
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| * Length: 16–18 ft
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| * Weight: 1,200–1,600 lbs
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| The Leviathan Pike is the largest freshwater apex predator in Gondara and dominates the deep waters of Lake Titania.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Giant Muskie × Alligator Gar
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| === Titania Freshwater Dolphin ===
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| ''Delphinus titanica''
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| Biome: [[Lake Titania]]
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| Traits:
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| * Length: 6–8 ft
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| * pod-based hunters
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| * mid-water fish specialists | |
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| These dolphins occupy the middle levels of the lake’s ecosystem and hunt cooperatively.
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| Near-Peer Analog: Amazon River Dolphin
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| == Pacific Fauna ==
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| ===[[Rock Crusher Octopus]]===
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| ''Scientific name TBD''
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| '''Biome:''' [[Talakar Strait]]
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| A large reef-wall ambush predator adapted to the steep submerged cliffs and coral shelves of the Talakar Strait.
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| '''Traits:'''
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| * Average adult: ~120 lbs; ~7 ft total length
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| * Large specimens: ~130 lbs; up to ~9 ft
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| * Near-perfect color, texture, and contour camouflage against rock and coral
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| * Powerful primary arms used for grappling and crushing prey
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| * Specialized whip arms capable of rapid hydro-shock strikes
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| * Juveniles commonly preyed upon by Talakar Reef Sharks; mature adults have few natural predators
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| '''Near-Peer Analog:''' Giant Pacific Octopus × Pistol Shrimp × Reef Ambush Predator
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| ===[[Talakar Reef Shark]]===
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| ''Scientific name TBD''
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| '''Biome:''' [[Talakar Strait]]
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| A dominant mobile reef predator of the Talakar Strait, adapted to hunting along coral shelves, submerged escarpments, and the open water bordering the rift walls.
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| '''Traits:'''
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| * Fast, active pursuit predator of reef fish and other marine prey
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| * Commonly preys upon juvenile and adolescent [[Rock Crusher Octopus|Rock Crushers]]
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| * Typically avoids approaching jagged reef walls closer than approximately 15 ft unless pursuing prey
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| * Experienced adults recognize the danger posed by mature Rock Crushers concealed along the wall
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| * Dominant predator in open reef water through most of its life cycle
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| * Occasionally killed and consumed by mature Rock Crushers after entering their strike range
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| '''Near-Peer Analog:''' Reef Shark × High-Speed Ambush Pursuit Predator
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| == Ecological Influence ==
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| The fauna of Gondara plays a critical role in shaping settlement patterns and frontier culture.
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| Large predators such as Titan Bears and Titanwood Raptors historically forced settlements to adopt defensive construction and organized hunting traditions. Plains migration herds shaped early agriculture and grazing patterns, while the powerful predators of Lake Titania influenced river and lake travel.
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| Understanding Gondaran fauna is essential to understanding the continent’s broader ecological systems and the historical development of its civilizations.
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| | == Invertebrates == |
| | * [[Assassin Caterpillar — Wilds Variant]] |
| | * [[Rift Creature]] † |
| | * [[Rock Crusher Octopus]] |
| | * [[Stone Spider]] |
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| | <small>† Provisional identification or working name; classification and individual article are pending. The Rift Creature and Rock Crusher Octopus are distinct animals.</small> |
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| [[Category:Ecology]] | | [[Category:Ecology]] |
| [[Category:Fauna]] | | [[Category:Fauna]] |
| [[Category:Foundational Canon]] | | [[Category:Foundational Canon]] |
