Tour to Neocene
Russian speculative biology project

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This page is dedicated to speculative biology: the analysis of Dougal Dixon's "The Future Is Wild" and the "Tour to Neocene" project.

Is the Future so Wild?

Part 1
Part 2

Of course, Dougal Dixon's book "The Future is Wild" and film based upon this book both represent the significant event in speculative biology. But are they ideal from the scientific point of view. Authors invited scientists and other specialists to the project, but they couldn't avoid mistakes even in this case. The article represents the analysis of biological mistakes and inconsistencies found in project (both film and book)

Tour to Neocene

The vision of possible ways of evolution and futuristic lifeforms 25 MY in the future.

When the first cycle of the chapters of the project had been written, the Neocene project thought to be something like a link connecting the first part of "The Future Is Wild" book/film and Dougal Dixon's "After Man: A Zoology Of The Future". Maybe, it had been a kind of "choldhood disease" of the project. But every new chapter (the second cycle and further chapters) moved the Neocene Project away from Dougal Dixon's books more and more. And in present day condition this project may be cosidered as a separate one having only subtle relation to Dougal Dixon's books. Thanks to numerous contributors from Russia and other countries this project got new interesting ideas and images of the world of future.

Neocene: the portrait of the Earth The general description of Earth of Neocene epoch - Earth geography, climate, flora and fauna of Earth regions. Some species mentioned there have no description in the project. Maybe, any readers may turn to discoverers of these species!
Life on the Earth 25 million years in the future The introducing chapter. Is it possible to predict the future? Laws and principles of evolution, useful for the constructing of futuristic live beings and reconstruction of the paths of their possible evolution.

Chapters of first cycle
1. Country of tall grasses Grasslands of Northern Africa, large herbivores and predators.

Asinohippus from North American prairies (picture by Leonard Popov)

Boaropotamus from Sacharan Nile (picture by Electreel)

Ghost frog from Balkan caves (picture by Sauron)

2. Shaggy gardeners

 Grasslands of Northern Africa - sugar tree and its place in ecosystem.

3. Kingdom of papyrus

 Sacharan Nile River in savanna of Northern Africa.

4. Island in the ocean

 Island in tropical zone of Indian Ocean

5. Great reef builders

 Coastal reeves in tropical zone of Indian Ocean built by mollusks and sedentary worms.

6. “Garret of the world” and its inhabitants

 Savanna of Meganesia (continent of merged Australia and New Guinea), large and smaller animals, predators and herbivores

7. Wanderers of ocean

 Temperate zone of Pacific Ocean in Southern hemisphere, pelagic fishes and allies.

8. "Hanging gardens" of the ocean

 Pacific Ocean, plankton organisms and the ecosystem formed in their colonies.

9. Lord of the sky

 Subantarctic islands, sea birds and marine animals.

10. Traveler of southern mountains

 Plains and mountains of Patagonia, migration of large herbivores.

11. Grass-colored predator

 Pampas of South America, herbivores and predators.

12. Inhabitants of the great river

 Basin of Amazon River, fishes and other freshwater animals.

13. Year of great desert

 Mexican plateau, large herbivores and predators.

14. Everyday life of wide plains

 Great plains of North America, herds of grazing mammals and their predators.

15. Stormy forest

 Rainforest of South-Eastern Asia, inhabitants of forest canopy - vertebrates and invertebrates.

16. Beasts in clouds

 Himalayan mountains; vertebrates of Alpine habitats - birds and mammals.

17. Wild garden

 Bushland in Mongolia, herbivores and predators.

18. Forests and snow

 Northern Ural - forest life in summer and in winter.

19. Cold sea of the north

 Islands in Polar Ocean, littoral animals and seabirds.

20. Generous ocean

 Atlantic coast of Europe, coastal and marine animals.

21. Mediterranean... swamp

 Hypergaline swamps of Mediterranean lowland, land islands among swamplands.

23. Kingdom of mountain spirits

 Inhabitants of Balkan caves - vertebrates and invertebrates.

23. Flying killers

 Rainforest of South America - inhabitants of forest canopy.

24. Sunda land

 Island in South-Eastern Asia - birds and invertebrates of forest canopy.

25. Monster of tropical paradise

 Tropical zone of Pacific Ocean - Tonga Islands, island and marine fauna.

26. Sovereign of Fourseas

 Fourseas - shallow brackish sealike lake in South-Eastern Europe
27. Land of thousand disasters

 

 Eastern China - great wetlands and flooded forests.

Chapters of second cycle
28. Pirates of Caribbean Sea   Fishes and invertebrates of Caribbean Sea, the diversity of live-bearing fishes.

Lemon crestbill from tropical forests of Zinj Land (picture by Alexander Smyslov)
29. Lords of wetlands   Extensive swamplands of Western Siberia, life in harsh seasonal climate.
30. Forest masquerade, or The mystery of flying head   East African microcontinent (Zinj Land), the inhabitants of tropical forest canopy.
31. The land of stones and dust   Middle East, Persian Ridge. Animals and plants of arid rocky area.
32. World at the edge of non-existence   Abyssal zone of Pacific Ocean.
33. Lords of the Abyss   Pacific Ocean, fishes and invertebrates of ocean floor.

At first the end of the project had been planned here. But the world is much greater than we can only imagine, and the journey continued. The following chapters are not connected to each other as a kind of cycle. Every new chapter is made when the idea is formed, and the order of chapters is random.

The journey goes on...
34. The revival of "Green Land"   Plains and bush of Greenland free of ice sheet.

Blindweasel from Eurasian steppes (picture by Sauron)

Marsupial sloth from Meganesian forests (picture by Alexander Smyslov)

Antarctic grebe (picture by Simon)

Vinegar ground beetle (picture by Amplion)

Sunhorn deer (picture by Mex)
35. Caribbean ark   Animals of Great Antigua island in Caribbean region.
36. Guardians of Atlantis   Atlantic Ocean, pelagic animals of temperate latitudes.
37. Rustling in grass   Savannas of Northern Africa, small animals.
38. Life at the world's end   Inhabitants of Antarctic meadows
39. Delicate dragons of Antarctica   Inhabitants of Antarctic meadows, dragonflies and other invertebrates
40. Bird island Russian version Island of Kuriles island chain, marine birds and land inhabitants.
41. Savannas of Lemuria   Western part of Madagascar, humid savanna.
42. Reed fortress Russian version South-Eastern Europe, northern shore of Fourseas - reed thickets.
43. Wanderers of steppes Russian version Steppes of Southern Europe, grazing animals.
44. Orbis subterraneus Russian version Steppes of Southern Europe, subterranean and burrowing animals.
45. From ocean to mountain tops. And back... Russian version Meganesia, Murray River. Migrating fishes and river inhabitants.
46. Green pearl of Pacific Ocean. Russian version Hawaiian archipelago, various types of vegetation, plant and animal species.
47. Green pearl of Pacific Ocean: forest inhabitants. Russian version Hawaii: rainforest animals.
48. Live-bearing rain Russian version Deserts of south-west of Meganesia.
49. Tree- and rock-climbers Russian version Tropical mountain forests of Southern China.
50. Usurpers in kingdom of dodo Russian version Mauritius Island, forest inhabitants.
51. Underwater knight Russian version Wenedian Lake (Northern Europe, former Baltic Sea), fishes and crustaceans.
52. The shadow of the wings on the grass   South America: Neocene megafauna of Grand-Chaco
53. King of the castle   New Zealand, forest animals
54. Atlantic Hawaii   New Azora - volcanic island in Atlantic Ocean and its coastal inhabitants
55. Freshwater sea of Asia   Baikal Lake and its inhabitants from surface to the depth
56. Deceitful flowers   Rainforest of South-Eastern Asia, plants and small animals.
57. Sign of salamander Russian version Small inhabitants of humid subtropical forest at the Pacific coast of North America.
58. Workers of decomposition   North African savanna, scavengers and dung-eaters.
59. Passengers of living ship Russian version Pacific Ocean. Giant sea turtle, its parasites and symbiotes.
60. Giants of Siberia   Eastern Siberia. Megafauna representatives, their parasites, symbiotes and predators.
61. Voices in the night Russian version Rainforests of Northern Meganesia, nocturnal animals of various forest levels.
62. Mirror of the sky Russian version Alpine lake Totora at the Altiplano Plateau, South America, its inhabitants from shores to lake bottom.
63. Hunter from Ao-Tea-Roa   New Zealand; large local animals - herbivores and predators.
64. Feathered heroes saga Russian version Iceland, the inhabitants of forests.
65. Citadel on tree branch Russian version Rainforest of Equatorial Africa, forest canopy.
66. Cry of lemur Russian version Rainforest of Eastern Madagascar.
67. Dream about the gone sea Russian version Mangrove forest at the north of Meganesia, Arafura Lake.
68. Poisonous fellowship Russian version Rainforest of Equatorial Africa, smaller forest inhabitants.
69. Stone backs Russian version New Tortuga - island in tropical latitudes of Atlantic Ocean; birds and reptiles inhabiting this place.
70. Karakum delta Russian version Fourseas, delta of Uzboy River in central Asia; delta inhabitants - fishes and birds.
71. Some minutes of sunlight Russian version Edge of Cyprus mountain range in Mediterranean lowland; animals of desert and subterranean reservoir.
72. Between sun and salt Russian version Migration of animals from North African savanna to Maltese mountain range.
73. Terror of the lake   Lake Carpentaria in Northern Meganesia; animals of lake shore, depth and surrounding forest.
74. Underwater fortress Russian version Reef life of tropical zone of Pacific Ocean - fishes and invertebrates.
75. Valley of hot lakes Russian version Inhabitants of geothermal reservoirs of Kamchatka. Wintering of migrating birds.
76. Conquest of the south Russian version Nature of Falkland Islands and Antarctica.
77. Jungle hermits Russian version Life in jungles of Hindustan - megafauna and allies.
78. Slopes of ancient mountains Russian version Life in mountains and valleys of Caucasus Peninsula.
79. Life of Zooraptor Russian version Megafauna of Meganesian savannas: birds and mammals.
80. Fishes, frogs and penguins   Inhabitants of freshwater reservoirs of New Zealand - lake and river.
81. The terror of silver forest   Biocenosis of Hawaiian mountain forest - invertebrates and small vertebrates.
82. The home of Green Feather Russian version North-East of North America, mixed forest in temperate climatic zone.
83. One hundred days for life Russian version South-western Meganesia, temporary desert lake and its inhabitants.
84. Forest and sea Russian version Mangrove forests of Florida, aquatic and forest animals.
85. Secret links Russian version Mangrove forests of Florida, parasites of local inhabitants.
86. Islands of misty sun Russian version Chatham Archipelago, forest and seaside animals.
87. Adopted in Eden Russian version Steppes of Middle Asia, to the east from Fourseas, animals and plants.
88. Decline of the dynasty Russian version North America, Cascade Mountains - large herbivores and predators.
89. Year of the traveler goose   North America, animals of various natural zones. Migration of birds of passage.
90. Big one and small ones Russian version Hindustan - inhabitants of tropical forest, symbiotes and parasites of Nanditherium
91. The last breath of the sea Russian version Southern Europe, Adriatic Sea hollow. Relic saltwater Otranto Lake and its inhabitants - fishes and invertebrates.
92. Long lifetime Russian version South America, fauna of Amazon and Hyppolithe rivers basin.
93. Green poisoner and its suite Russian version Japan, broadleaf forest of mountain slopes in subtropical climate area - animals and plants.
94. Dew hunters Russian version Mediterranean lowland, insects and other small animals, their survival in arid conditions.
95. Captives of paradise Russian version Burotu islands in Pacific Ocean, birds and other animals of tropical forest.
96. Green pearl of Pacific Ocean: playing in water Russian version Hawaiian Islands: inhabitants of seashore and coastal reeves.
97. Feathered esthetes   South America, birds and other inhabitants of rainforest canopy.
98. Krummholz of Khibiny Russian version North of Europe, Khibiny Mountains: mammals and birds of northern forests.
99. Seas of Southern Cross Russian version Antarctica, sea dwellers of coastal and pelagic zones.
100. Land of last hyenas Russian version South Africa, large mammals of savanna and other dwellers of savanna and the river.
101. Cup of life Russian version Small forest inhabitants in southern part of taiga zone of Asia, Baikal Lake region.
102. River of monsters Russian version Equatorial Africa, land-dwelling and aquatic animals and plants of Congo river basin.
103. Three fortunes in selva   South America, invertebrates and vertebrates of the rainforest.
104. The night of the snail Russian version Mangrove forests of Arafura Lake in Meganesia - land-dwelling and aquatic snails, birds and other animals.
105. The tar broth Russian version Northern Europe, symbiotes and parasites in the stomach of Lagomoropus - large browsing herbivore.
106. The battle of the empires: nomads against fortresses Russian version Tropical forests of Central America, Yucatan. Ant colonies and their interactions with the world around.
107. The battle of the empires: the fight for the vital space Russian version Interactions between various ant species, their symbiotes and parasites in tropical forests of Yucatan.
108. The forbidden fruit Russian version Tropical forest in northern part of Meganesia, interactions between local plants and animals.
109. Hot red sand Russian version South Africa, animals and plants of Kalahari desert.
110. Neighbours and companions Russian version Coniferous forests of North America: large animals, their parasites and symbiotes.
111. Pulse of the river Russian version Northern Africa, Saharan Nile river - the river in rain season and its inhabitants.
     

Sea ipopos on the seashore - picture by Alexander Smyslov

Futuristic Bestiarium

Mammals

Birds

Amphibians and Reptiles

Fishes

Invertebrates

Plants

Fungi

Microorganisms

Other animals and plants of the Earth 25 MY in the future - descriptions not included to chapters in English version.

Index to Neocene fauna and flora

General list of Neocene animals and plants, immediate access to any description.
Some descriptions may exist in Russian, but have no English links. Be patient, new descriptions appear sooner or later!

Chapters made by members of the project

Bhut (member of Russian forum)
1. Zambezi in Neocene Russian version Aquatic and nearwater animals of South-Eastern Africa.
2. European maquis Russian version Bush life in Southern Europe.
3. Dragons of Eyre Gulf   Large aquatic goannas, the inhabitants of Eyre Gulf in Meganesia and their migration to Tasmania.
4. Inhabitants of frozen kingdom Russian version Smaller animals of Siberian taiga - vertebrates and invertebrates.

Timothy Morris (Australian contributor of the project)

(personal page here)
1. Garden of Earthly Delights
 (direct link) Forests of southeastern part of Meganesia, vertebrates and invertebrates
2. Golden Afternoon (direct link) Essay on European forests of today made for Spec Project

Books and articles
on speculative biology:

 

For site news look here:

Dougal Dixon
"After man: A Zoology of the Future"

 
Dougal Dixon
"The New Dinosaurs. An alternative evolution"
Dougal Dixon
"Man after man.
An anthropology of the future"
Leo Lionni
"Parallel botany"
HTML version of the book
Harald Stumpke
"The Snouters"
HTML version of the book (complete)
ZIP archive (78,8 kb, no pictures, text only)
Andrey Zhuravlev
"Wild, totally wild"
Article from "Paradox" magazine #9/2003 - critical notes to "The future is Wild" project.

Nemo Ramjet
"Alltomorrows"
HTML version of the book (complete)
Peter Ward
"Future Evolution"
HTML version of the book (complete)
ZIP archive (192 kb, no pictures, text only)

For more productive work at Neocene Project animalist artists
ready to work for the interest (as all other project members do)
are persistently needed .

The Neocene project is opened for new ideas forever!

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