Zerg Taxanomy

[Visions of Khas]

So I'm guessing the Zerg would provide a taxanomic nightmare for xeno-biologists.

How would one classify the multifarious zerg breeds? According to the BlackStone Project, the zerg breeds might properly be considered chimeras; the hydralisk for example, contained the genetic material of at least eight distinct species. Do the various strains and breeds constitute distinct speces or subspecies? Probably not, considering one qualifying parameter for a species is reproductive. Though I'm unsure if that various zerg even classify as classical breeds, considering both the arbitrary nature of of "breeds" and the sheer genetic fluidity between not only the zerg types but also individuals of the same type; ie distinctions of Hydralisks between the First Great War/Brood War, and the Second Great War, Impaler strains vs Lurker strains, and genetic variety/mutation in individuals of the same type.

Would it then be more proper to classify zerg types the same as plants, considering "variety," "cultivar," and "form" (considering each of these are ranks inferior to that of "species")? This may be the more productive route.





Thanks goes to the Internecivus raptus v . Linguafoeda acheronsis argument.

[Mislagnissa]

The classification of bacteria runs into a similar problem. Maybe that analysis could be of assistance?

[Visions of Khas]

The classification of bacteria runs into a similar problem. Maybe that analysis could be of assistance?

Do you have anything specific to go on?

[Gradius]

So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?

[Visions of Khas]

So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?

I wondered about that, but there's a definite difference in vocabulary and interests -- though with some shared areas in each, as well.

[Mislagnissa]

Do you have anything specific to go on?

Here's what I found on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacter...pecies_concept

So wait, are Nissa and Mislagnissa the same person?

What are you talking about? This is the first time I joined this forum after getting interested in StarCraft and WarCraft against after not playing them since the early 2000s.

[Visions of Khas]

Here's what I found on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacter...pecies_concept

Suh-weet! Just what I was looking for! These articles also address the issue of horizontal gene transfer, which is how zerg operate. Thanks a lot for this, it's leading me through a nice rabbit hole of discovery.