On October 18 2012 03:33 Ponera wrote: I think it's been established by lore that larvae have the DNA for all the strains and just need the right stimulus. Yep, diapause seems like the proper course for the swarm host at least!
Yeah it is, it's just trying to figure the 'how'. The two possibilities that immediately come to mind are either a stupendously large genome (like 100s of chromosomes), which I would imagine would be cumbersome for the kind of rapid duplication Zerg DNA requires, and needs a ton of extra features for snipping out DNA that is unnecessary for a given strain, or something like a weird Chimeric organism so the DNA is more distributed and parallelism can be more of an asset.
Also, given the discussion of the Hydralisk I wanted to post some other official Blizzard concept art on the Hydralisk anatomy. The pictures are kinda big so I'm sticking them in spoiler tags.
If you look at ants, all the casts are identical in genes but they are morphologically quite diverse in a genus like Atta or Acromyrmex. So a hormonal/nutrient "inject" (lol) can determine huge diversity, even determining which drones become full reproductive queens. I think you are right on that they can't have like 100 chromosomes; perhaps they actually streamline it along with the hormonal/nutrient stimulus?
edit: Just wait til the ant/zerg episode. It will all be made clear.
On October 29 2012 10:58 Ponera wrote: Yeah extra claws are a failsafe for melee. So if they lose a claw, they have more and don't lose battle effectiveness.
I suspect that the projectiles are more than squeezed out, I think it likely has some powerful launcher mechanism, perhaps relying on the elasticity of tendon. If they are held serially, like a shark tooth row, it is feasible that they could fire multiples from each launcher before the need to make more.
Good work, saves me from having to write it up :p
One criticism: I find the Hydralisk to be rather..top heavy. I think this is a flaw in their design. Also, as far as grooved spines go: If you look at the canine tooth of a cat, they have a groove (as many mammalian predators do, as do monitors) to allow for blood to trickle down it. This prevents a vacuum from forming, easing the entry (and exit) of the tooth. I dunno about how it would impact aerodynamics but it could be a relic from the launching mechanism, perhaps the canal exists for an additional tendon or muscle, allowing for more surface area and therefore more force upon leaving the hydralisk.
Also what is your take on the hump on its back?
as for launching mechanisms, why not look at the mantis shrimp? its 'club' can accelerate really quickly and can even smash some aquarium walls. this might be the way a hydra accelerates its spines.
On October 31 2012 14:57 Ponera wrote: If you look at ants, all the casts are identical in genes but they are morphologically quite diverse in a genus like Atta or Acromyrmex. So a hormonal/nutrient "inject" (lol) can determine huge diversity, even determining which drones become full reproductive queens. I think you are right on that they can't have like 100 chromosomes; perhaps they actually streamline it along with the hormonal/nutrient stimulus?
edit: Just wait til the ant/zerg episode. It will all be made clear.
Yeah, I figure that kind of thing is how you go Hydralisk->Lurker or Mutalisk->Devourer or Guardian, but since the other Zerg strains are all supposed to be from different organisms, I'd figure they should all have different genomes.
On November 01 2012 09:33 poogpoogs wrote: as for launching mechanisms, why not look at the mantis shrimp? its 'club' can accelerate really quickly and can even smash some aquarium walls. this might be the way a hydra accelerates its spines.
Interesting, I never thought of that.... The hydralisk's extensive musculature may be used to pull the tendons for the required elastic strength to shoot the spikes out, although the reload mechanism is a bit harder to imagine, but it would definitely be disgusting.
Episode one of Anatomy of Sci-fi! This one is about the Xenomorphs in the Alien series. Let me know what you guys think, there are four of us (Brutaxilos, Doncroft and zappy) all talking about them. It's really awesome.
I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing an analysis of the Nydus worm. The term "celebrated anus" is used a lot, I figure that'd be a major part of this one too.
I sometimes wonder if Rebecca Black had as many fans when she was debuting her album?
Anyways, really awesome (and better) take on the Learn to Draw series. I expect things will get better and better...just turn down volume so his fandom doesn't ruin your day.
Next episode is done, this one is about Nydus Worm!
Oh, by the way, Novawar from Lagtv joined us for this one.
I wonder if maybe the derp arms coming from the worm's head are used to assist with the loading and unloading of units. Also all those spikes that face backwards would explain why you can't retract a Nydus head once it comes out of the ground.
Cool analysis guys, I really enjoy these :D
An analysis of the HotS Viper unit would be pretty interesting, considering how it looks like it would be completely impossible for them to fly with those itty bitty little wings, the spike placement makes no sense, and it doesn't appear to have eyes, which I thought was rather important for a flying organism. To be perfectly honest the viper doesn't make much sense at all. It's able to pull any unit regardless of size, I have no idea how a viper could pull a colossus while also keeping itself in the air. I think they'd either have to make the viper a ground unit or it's actual size is much larger than they use in game. (Like how a battlecruiser is capable of carrying a thousand plus crewmen but is roughly the size of eight hellions in game.) I wonder if the hooks on the claws are used for roosting and/or grabbing prey like a mantis. If the front legs are used to latch onto prey then they seem like they'd be way too big. The distance between the claws makes it look like they were built to latch onto prey roughly the same size as the viper. If that's the case it doesn't make much sense, because of how small the head and body are, it would only be able to eat a portion of whatever large animal it caught. That seems very inefficient, it'd be like killing an entire cow every time you wanted a steak.
I'd like to see your insights into the confusing creature that is the Viper, because I'm not a biologist so I could be totally wrong about everything. :D
Congrats to you on Lagtv joining your discussion! I think the purpose of the "side arms" is to move/destroy debris in front of the head away while burrowing, which would solve the 'moving through bedrock/metal' thing. The "side-anuses" might be for eating (ironic ).
By the way, could you do one on the Infested terran if you haven't done so already? I know its not a true Zerg organism, but I just want your analysis on those.
Edit: So... If you make another Nydus network, it will have (1+2) + (1+2) = 6 anuses o_O Also, how does the addition of extra anuses allow more worm heads to be "created" at the same time (assuming all the anuses are connected to the central "stomach)?
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