I've ran a couple of polls on bringing this species to WP but wanted to give 'em a bit of a revamp and a thread to chuck a bunch of info as I work through what I want/don't want for the species. I'll also be working on a world to put them in which is separate from my current worldbuilding project, W1.

This will have some info about the interactive aspects and some other stuff, all info is subject to change.

Comments? Yes, comments are fine. Please do not quote any large blocks of text.

To Do List:

-Official Base
-Traits list
-Subspecies

Misc:
-Terrain art
-Terrain info
-Item art
-Currency system
-Inventory system

Sub-Types


Pelagic - Migratory, ocean-crossing. Live within the open-ocean.
Reef - Reef dwelling species.
Intertidal - Living within tidal zones, well adapted for time on land.

Hadal* - The deep sea rays.
Fresh Water* - Within lakes, rivers and estuaries.
Terrestial** - Spending the majority of time out of any body of water.

* Rare
** Very Rare

Pelagic
Migratory, ocean-crossing. Live within the open-ocean.
One of the most common subtypes of ray dog, with huge amounts of variation. Some pelagic rays are huge in size, resembling whale sharks and other filterfeeders, whilst others are much smaller and prefer shoaling behaviours. The majority of pelagic ray dogs are counter shaded, meaning their underside is a light colour and their topside a darker colour. Other markings are common, as is silvering and relflective coats.

Reef
Bright and zippy, much like the shallow waters and reefs they reside in.
Another common subtype. Reef myliolupus are small, nimble and come in a huge variety of colours. Typically residing in tropical waters, but they do also inhabit cold and temperate reefs. Their bright colouration helps to confuse and dissuade larger predators, and when that doesn't work, many feature sharp spines and spurs. Reef myliolupus have a hugely varied diet, some eating exclusively other fish, whilst others graze on the algae and corals.

Intertidal
Life is a beach day.
Intertidal myliolupus have thicker skin and fur to protect them from the general wear-and-tear of land-based life and strong, tidal waters. Their mouths are a little more dog-like and sit closer to the front of the face rather than underneath to aid them in breathing oxygen. With strong jaws, intertidal rays often feast on shellfish or seaweed. Similarly to their reef cousins, they can often be quite spiny and come in a variety of bright colours, though tend to have colourful accents rather than be full-on colour bomb. Their wings and fins are also smaller, which allows them to maker tighter turns but results in them struggling in deeper water with large currents.

Hadal
Residing within the deepest zones of the ocean.

Fresh Water
Terrestial

Wow :0 I'd love help designing the subs with you! (if its OK)