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October 8, 2011
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I am planning to engage in a project which is conceiving a biologically plausible cladistic branch of dragons within the animal kingdom, inspired by the many imaginative attempts on deviantART such as Kevin-Studios' Dragonology project ([link], Ahrkeath's Dracosmia project (a fictional planet on which dragons have evolved, ([link] and especially Hyrotrioskjan's recent "Dragons of the World" project ([link]. I have lately been browsing the internet for sources rich in information regarding the biology of dragons as established by dragon fans and dragonology enthusiasts. Unfortunately my hunting has not been successful, I am left unsettled and am hoping that maybe among my Watchers may be fellow dragon enthusiasts who could answer my questions and possibly even assist me in this project (my project of which, currently untitled, does serve a specific purpose of which I cannot reveal at this time).

My first and foremost question is definitely concerning six-limbed dragons? Our modern understanding of vertebrates is that an extra pair of limbs is biologically impossible, no vertebrates exhibit more than four limbs. And dragons would almost certainly be vertebrates, as their anatomy would require a central vertebrae system. So if remotely possible, how could a vertebrate develop an extra set of limbs that would function as wings, such as in the traditional European dragons? Does anyone have a logical explanation? Or should I keep my dragons four-limbed?

Also Asian lungs, I recall that there are different forms of Asian lung which can be characterized by phenotypical differences in their anatomy, such as the digits on their forelimbs. I have since been unable to retrieve that source, and quite frankly the internet seems devoid of useful information on dragons. Websites that take dragons seriously. Actually, if anyone has any good internet sources of the subject matter I am pursuing, I would love hyperlinks!

Thanks in advance!

-Rick Charles
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:iconthemorlock:
~TheMorlock Oct 10, 2011  Student General Artist
Whatever you do, DON'T classify all of them in the genus ''Draco''.
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:icondeinonychusempire:
~DeinonychusEmpire Oct 10, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
I won't! You need not worry about that! When hunting for information on dragons, I would deliberately avoid informational websites that would do that.
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:iconthemorlock:
~TheMorlock Oct 10, 2011  Student General Artist
Heh. :D Good.
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:iconcoelotitan:
Maybe make the six-limbed dragons descendants of Coelurosauravus? Cause its "wings" were not attached to the ribcage like Draco volans.
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:iconbeastisign:
~beastisign Oct 9, 2011  Student Digital Artist
wyvern-esque dragons seem more legit to me that the six limbed dragons.
Even thought the sexopeds look cooler, the quads seem more realistic.
Especially with how you described your theory.
If you dont have a theory yet for the fire creation, i have a pretty reliable concept that a friend made for his theory.
Reply
:icondeinonychusempire:
~DeinonychusEmpire Oct 9, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
My theory for fire-breathing dragons deals with the combustion of methane and phosphor, which ignites when exposed to air. Methane and phosphor, of course, the dragon would acquire through it's diet and store in special gastric sacs.

But I wouldn't mind hearing your theory.
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:iconbeastisign:
~beastisign Oct 9, 2011  Student Digital Artist
actually that beats both his and my theory.
:iconnosebleedplz:
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:icondeinonychusempire:
~DeinonychusEmpire Oct 9, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
Oops, sorry 'bout that. =P
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:iconbeastisign:
~beastisign Oct 9, 2011  Student Digital Artist
lol its nothing to be sorry about.
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:iconevenape:
~Evenape Oct 9, 2011  Student Traditional Artist
Make sarcopterygians or arthropods walk on ground before or with the tetrapods

Or use the Draco volans ribcage idea
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