Tropical Rain Forest of Arida
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| The principle Tropical Rain Forest on Arida is located between the Chieftain Mountains and the Unola Ocean. Several rivers including the Evita and Chopin Rivers run through it providing the animals there with constant fresh water necessary for their survival. This region sees some of the highest rain fall amounts on the planet. Up to 40 inches fall a year due to the water vapor that is forced to condense when clouds pass over the Chieftain Mountains. The average temperature is approximately 90 degrees year-round. The tropical plants of Arida thrive in this climate. Many animals live on the ground and in the trees of this biologically rich biome. |
Primary Producers |
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Gnutella is a sinewy vine type of plant, with long spindly leaves growing along the ground. This plant inhabits the forest floor and spreads out its wide leaves in an effort to capture as much light as possible. The roof of the forest high above blocks out much of the sunlight. Its leaves reach a diameter of 2 to 3 feet. It is approximately 1 foot tall when fully developed. |
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Green Death Plant (Verdantia meurtes) occupies the canopy of the rainforest. It lives intertwined with the branches of the large trees that are abundant there. This relatively rare plant feeds on abundant insects such as the Mosinsectus that unwittingly venture into their "false flowers" looking for food. There they are consumed by this carnivorous plant. It is the exception in this group because not only does it eat primary consumer but it is also eaten by primary consumers. It measures up to 100 feet long. |
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The Asper-Cocoa plant is quite abundant in the understory section of the rain forest. Due to the abundant sunlight and warm temperatures, growth is rapid. The fruit produced is available all year. Animals depend on its fruit for food and in turn provide a vehicle through which this successful plant distributes its seed throughout the tropical region. Note: Its leaves are extremely poisonous. Animals and insects only eat its fruit. As an adult it reaches a height of up to 5 feet. |
Primary Consumers |
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Mosinsectus is one of the most abundant insects on Arida. It primarily consumes fruit from the Cocoa-Aspera plant. It also consumes a smaller abundant insect called Mophidus. They live independently except for mating season which occurs once every 3 weeks. At that time, they converge at specific locations in the tree tops to begin a mating frenzy. Eggs are then laid and hatch with in one Arida week. It has a life span of approximately 1 Arida month. It weighs .025 ounces and measures 1 inch in length when fully grown. It requires .0012 Kcalories a day to survive. |
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Patterra is about 12 inches in length and weighs approximately 20 pounds. It is an omnivore. It consumes small insects in and around the root of the forest plants. Its favorite food is the Gnutella plant. It is a voracious eater consuming up to approximately 45 Kcalories daily. |
Secondary Consumers |
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The Big Tree Hopper (Saurus Gravitis), is a nimble tree lizard that reaches an average length of about 15 inches in length. It is omnivorous and consumes both insects like the Mosinsectus and fruit and foliage. It may even eat a creature equal in size like the Patterra but we have never seen it. It weighs approximately 1 pound and must consume 8.55 Kcalories a day to survive. |
The Food Web |
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The Energy Pyramid |
| In the tropical rain forest biome the primary producers include a variety of plants like Asper-Cocoa, Green Death and the Gnutella. This groups sustains all other life on Arida and with them more sophisticated life could not exist. Together they produce about 7,500 Kilocalories per square meter per year. Herbivores/Omnivores make up the next group and include the Petterra animal and the Mophidus and Mosinsectus which are insects. Collectively they produce approximately 530 Kilocalories per square meter per year. The Big Tree Hopper is the largest animal living in the tropical zone and also occupies the top rung of the food chain. It produces about 5.4 Kilocalories per square meter per year. For this reason, the Big Tree Hopper needs a large area rich with Primary Consumer in order to survive. |
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