Branches

Taxonomy is the science of organizing living species into related groups. We chose an evolutionary taxonomy system for Proxima b life forms to make it easy to see how life evolved into different species through divergence. Different species are organized into branches. Each branch identifies the divergence that occurred in a common ancestor, resulting in multiple evolutionary paths that led to the creation of different species. When certain species belong to more branches than others, it means further divergence happened, creating species that are farther apart from each other.

Similarly to Earth life taxonomy, SEV's Proxima b taxonomy uses a naming standard composed of Latin grammatical forms, with either Latin or Ancient Greek words. Latin words are preferred to Ancient Greek, except where the Ancient Greek alternative is easier to recognize.

The branch system was designed to identify traits that define a particular species easily. Take, for example, all the branches that Squid belong to:

Praeostia Spinaformae Bicephalia Tentaculostia Supraspectos Quadrimotus Insidiator

These mean the following:

  • Praeostia: ”prae” (in front) + ”ostium” (mouth), their digestive tract runs from the front of their body to the back;

  • Spinaformae: “spina” (spine) + “forma” (frame), they have an endoskeleton supported by a main spine;

  • Bicephalia: “bi-” (two) + “cephalo” (head), they have two heads (one with sensing organs and another one for feeding);

  • Tentaculostia: “tentaculum” (tentacles) + “ostium” (mouth), they have tentacles in their mouth;

  • Supraspectos: “supra“ (above) + “spectos” (observe), they sensing head is positioned above their feeding head;

  • Quadrimotus: “quadri-” (four) + “motus” (move), they move using four limbs;

  • Insidiator: (ambush) they are ambush hunters.

Every species listed in the Life Catalog indicate branches that the species belongs to. Branches currently documented are far from complete since they have been recognized based on limited data obtained from probe-based missions. We expect Proxima b’s taxonomy to be updated significantly after Noah-1's arrival.

Species

Unlike branches, species are identified using English names. Usually, species are named after the most recognizable physical feature (for example Mincers due to their mouth) or Earth animals they resemble (Scorpion, Squid, Antelope, Hound). This method is different from Earth life taxonomy and is meant to simplify the identification of species by SEV personnel without a scientific background.

Top level branches

At the top-most level, Proxima b life forms split into the following branches:

  • Autotropha: autos (self) and trophe (food), organisms that synthesize their own food. This branch includes all organisms that do not eat others, the majority of which are immobile.

  • Heterotropha: heteros (other) and trophe (food), organisms who cannot synthesize their own food and need to eat other organisms to obtain it. The vast majority of heterotroph species are mobile, and this branch includes organisms that are equivalent to Earth animals.

Autotrophs

Sub-branches of Autotropha diverge in the energy source used to catabolize molecular compounds and include:

  • Photoautotropha: photos (light), the equivalent to Earth plants which synthesize food using daylight. These live in environments where Proxima Centauri light is visible (Day Hemisphere and illuminated sections of the Terminator Line).

  • Chemoautotropha: khemeia (alchemy), autotrophs that synthesize food using chemical reactions in the absence of light. These live in dark environments, i.e., the Night Hemisphere and lower ocean layers where Proxima Centauri light does not reach.

  • Radioautotropha: radius (beam), autotrophs that use radiation as a source of energy to synthesize their food. These live in the edge of the Dead Zone, where radiation exists but is not strong enough to disassociate life molecules.

Autotroph taxonomy is work in progress and not yet published (register to be notified when we publish it).

Heterotrophs

Heterotroph taxonomy is work in progress and not yet published (register to be notified when we publish it).