Origins in the Obsidian Sands
The story of proteosaurids isn’t one etched in stone, but woven into echoes – faint reverberations across epochs. Initially, they were theorized to be a divergent lineage stemming from early ornithopods during the late Jurassic period, specifically around what we now call the Morrison Formation. However, recent ‘chronometric readings’ (a term developed by Dr. Aris Thorne's team at the Temporal Anomalies Research Institute – TARI) suggest a far more complex genesis. These readings indicate brief, localized temporal distortions surrounding fossil sites containing proteosaurid remains, suggesting periods of accelerated evolution and potentially even temporary reintegration with earlier evolutionary branches.
The ‘Obsidian Sands’ region of what was once western North America is now considered the epicenter of their initial diversification. Volcanic activity during this time may have played a crucial role, creating microclimates conducive to rapid adaptation – adaptations that ultimately led to the proteosaurids' unique physiology.
Anatomy: A Symphony of Paradox
Proteosaurids defy easy categorization. They possessed a mosaic of features rarely seen together, leading some scientists – and TARI operatives – to describe them as “temporal hybrids.” The most striking aspect is their skeletal structure. While possessing the robust limbs characteristic of ornithopods, they also exhibited elongated forelimbs ending in three-fingered hands capable of manipulation – a bizarre anomaly given the period.
- Cranial Crests: Elaborate cranial crests, often adorned with bioluminescent patches (detected through chronometric scans), are hypothesized to have played a role in species recognition and potentially even communication across significant temporal distances.
- Digitigrade Posture: Like many theropods, proteosaurids were digitigrade, walking on their toes. However, the anatomy of their feet suggests an unusual degree of agility and speed.
- Thermoregulation: Evidence points towards a complex thermoregulatory system involving subcutaneous vascular networks and potentially even rudimentary ‘chronal shielding’ – a capacity to subtly manipulate local time flow around their bodies (the precise mechanism remains elusive).
Behavior: Guardians of the Shifting Sands
The behavior of proteosaurids is perhaps the most perplexing aspect of their existence. Fossil evidence suggests a highly social structure, with groups ranging from small family units to herds exceeding fifty individuals. However, what truly sets them apart are recurring patterns observed during chronometric scans – indications of coordinated actions across seemingly impossible temporal distances.
TARI’s research indicates that proteosaurids may have been involved in a function they termed “Temporal Stabilization.” The theory posits that they actively monitored and intervened in minor temporal anomalies, preventing catastrophic paradoxes. This isn't simple observation; the scans reveal deliberate actions – brief bursts of energy directed at destabilized timelines.
- Echo-Navigation: The elongated forelimbs may have been used for “echo-navigation,” allowing them to perceive temporal echoes and anticipate future events within a limited range.
- Synchronized Hunting?: The coordinated movements observed in fossil sites suggest that they hunted not just physical prey, but perhaps also "temporal distortions" – manifestations of unstable timelines.
Extinction: A Paradoxical Fade
The extinction event that wiped out the proteosaurids remains a subject of intense debate. The conventional narrative points to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, but chronometric data reveals a more nuanced picture. There were multiple ‘fade events,’ periods where entire populations seemingly vanished from existence without leaving any trace – only to reappear briefly in subsequent scans, suggesting temporal displacement.
The prevailing theory, championed by Dr. Thorne, is that the proteosaurids’ inherent ability to manipulate time ultimately proved their undoing. Their actions, intended to stabilize the timeline, inadvertently triggered a cascade of paradoxes, leading to their own erasure and potentially contributing to the larger extinction event.