Difference between revisions of "Trophics"
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− | [[Trophics]] is a biological life science important to the studies of [[sophontology]] (...the study of [[technology]]-using alien species) and [[ | + | [[Trophics]] is a biological life science important to the studies of [[sophontology]] (...the study of [[technology]]-using alien species) and [[Xenobiology]] (...the study of non-[[technology]]-using alien species, often called ''[[creature]]s'' or ''beasts''). |
− | * Please also see [[Animal Classification]] and [[Taxonomy]] for | + | * Please also see [[Animal Classification]] and [[Taxonomy]] for similar sciences. |
=== Term Etymology === | === Term Etymology === |
Latest revision as of 16:53, 3 October 2020
Trophics is a biological life science important to the studies of sophontology (...the study of technology-using alien species) and Xenobiology (...the study of non-technology-using alien species, often called creatures or beasts).
- Please also see Animal Classification and Taxonomy for similar sciences.
Term Etymology[edit]
Trophic, from the Terran language of Ancient Greek as trophikos meaning pertaining to food or nourishment.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
Trophics is a biological life science studying the the selection of food used by a lifeform for nutritional intake or sustenance, the dietary relationships between different lifeforms, and other related topics.
Trophic Levels[edit]
Trophic levels can vary greatly according to the nature of a plant and the local fauna and flora.
Typically, trophic levels are arraged in a pyramidal structure with the least populous groups of a trophic classification located at the top of the pyramid, usually apex predators or more common types of carnivores, and the most populous groups of a trophic classification located at the bottom of the pyramid, usually autotrophs and detrivores of various types. "Biomass" and dietary efficiency is lost as the trophic level rises.
Trophic Systems[edit]
A typical system of trophic levels for a terrestrial planet of the type favorable to baseline Humaniti, might look like this:
- Level 5: Apex predators, typically a type of carnivore, have no predators, are at the very top of the food chain, and are sometimes called quaternary consumers.
- Level 4: Carnivores and omnivores that eat other carnivores (...and supplement their diet with autotrophic life) are called tertiary consumers.
- Level 3: Omnivores and scavengers that eat herbivores (...and dead organic matter) are called secondary consumers.
- Level 2: Herbivores and scavengers eat autotrophs (...and dead organic or inorganic matter) and are called primary consumers.
- Level 1: Autotrophs (Plants, fungi, algae, etc.) most often make their own food and are called primary producers.
Trophic Table[edit]
Animal Classification (Science) Table of Trophic Consumption & Classification Trophic Level Trophic Classification Alt. Name Notes Level 5 Apex Predators (Carnivores & Sophonts) Quaternary Consumer Have no predators, are at the very top of the food chain Level 4 Predators (Carnivores & Omnivores) Tertiary Consumer Eat other carnivores (...and supplement their diet w/autotrophs) Level 3 Prey (Omnivores & Scavengers) Secondary Consumer Eat herbivores (...and dead organic matter) Level 2 CisPrey (Herbivores & Scavengers) Primary Consumer Eat autotrophs (...and dead organic or inorganic matter) Level 1 Autotrophs Primary Producer (Plants, fungi, algae, etc.) make their own food
Food Webs[edit]
A Food Web, or food chain, is a diagram showing the dietary relationships between different lifeforms, or, to put it simply, who eats whom.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
No information yet available.
Terminology[edit]
- Biomass is the amount of organic matter present in a lifeform.
- Diet is the selection of food used by a lifeform for nutritional intake or sustenance.
- Food Web is a diagram showing dietary relationships.
Abiogenesis[edit]
While trophic levels have a theoretical top and bottom, the system, sometimes called a food web, forms a continuous, self-sustaining cycle. It is more than a little erroneous to list a beginning and ending level since science has still not discovered exactly how life originally began, a process known as Abiogenesis.
- Some scientists hold the theory that only life can beget life (Biogenesis), while others are convinced that biological life can arise from inanimate and inorganic matter (Abiogenesis).
- The mysteries of Abiogenesis remain some of the greatest quandaries known to the Third Imperium. Many scientists have studied the archeological remains of the Ancients society looking for clues.
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
- TBD
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science