Madagascar Megafauna

Instructions

Madagascar is an island, that sits along east Africa, hosting an array of distinct biodiversity that flew, rafted, or swam to the ecosystem. This habitat lacked traditional Canids, Felids, and Ungulates found in other parts of the world, and, instead, possessed giant/land Bird, Civet/Mongoose, Hippo, Monkey, and Reptile relatives, that filled vacancy, as the dominant lifeforms. Elephant Birds browsed/grazed flora, dispersing their seeds, as the main herbivores. After their extinction, numerous plants lost their main host for dispersal, germination, and trimming. Giant (arboreal) Lemurs, Giant (terrestrial) Tortoises, and Malagasy (land) Hippos were considered secondary herbivores for an equal handful of other vegetation. Their losses also resulted in the end of major ecological functions. Of those animals, Crowned Eagles (giant Raptors), Giant Fossas (Cat-like, large Civit/Mongoose relatives), and Voays (horned, terrestrial Crocodiles) were the main carnivores, of megafaunal hatchlings and juveniles. Only smaller Fossas remain today, but are endangered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unlike some of these animals, Elephant Bird genetic material is readily available, due to scattered egg shells being presence all over the island, retaining vital DNA. This means, out of all the extinct species, listed here, these Ratites are the most likely to be de-extincted. Using the Emu as the chassis, specific Elephant Bird/Kiwi genes could be engineered into the Avian, to express essential characteristics for surviving the grassland/tropical condition, which includes, but is not limited to, dense bones, giant, singular eggs, and nocturnal adaptations. Emus already possess the grazing and size compatibility to proxy smaller Elephant Birds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Mammals: • Giant Fossa • Giant Lemur • Malagasy Hippo 2. Reptiles: • Crowned Eagle • Giant Tortoise • Voay • Elephant Bird -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aldabra Giant Tortoises are believed to be descendants of Malagasy Giant Tortoises that drifted towards the Seychelles. Recently, Aldabra Giant Tortoises were recently reintroduced back to Madagascar to revive grazing and seed dispersal lost since 1,000 years ago, due to hunting. And it worked! Aldabra Giant Tortoises have restored these absent dynamics in the refuges they were implemented in. Recent research suggests that introducing African Crowned Eagles, Pygmy Hippos, or other related fauna, could provide similar restorative properties for the biodiversity. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do not let these side projects distract you. Madagascar is still home to countless Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles that are in desperate need of conservation. The Indri, the largest living Lemur, is critically endangered, alongside several other Lemurs, despite the ability to compensate for Giant Lemurs, due to habitat clearing and hunting. Radiated Tortoises have declined rapidly over the years, because of the pet trade and poaching, resulting in their reclassification as critically endangered. And finally, numerous native Mesites are threatened with extinction, due to introduced invasive species, as well as habitat destruction.