Locust Biology

[SpartanSquat]

I was thinking this days ago. Locust drones, grenadiers, therons, kantus, berserkers? All have a scientific name? I mean if drones, grenadiers and therons are the same branch family that means the ranks are species. I mean this: Grenadier (Saurohomus robustus). Theron (Saurohomus venatorius). And what about this: Oviparous (Eggs like reptiles or birds), Viviparous (Mammals) or Oviviparous (Sharks and mosasaurs)?

[DragonzZilla]

Locust are most likely reptomammals; a reptomammal would be any species having both reptilian and mammalian traits, such as having scaly skin yet giving live birth. Locust are reptilian in biology but probably warm-blooded and are birth live young. Infant Locust most likely do not suckle due the lack of teats on either males or females. Berserkers are female drones. Finally, Kantus share many traits with drones but they alas are a different species; it's likely that the Kantus have their own females -who are probably indistinguishable from the males or haven't been seen by Gears- who probably birth live young as well as Berserkers do.

[Jonesybites]

WARNING SPOILERS FOR GOW 3:

Such content has not been elaborated or confirmed, other than to "breed," a drone has to mate with a Berserker.

Kantus may be a sub-species of sorts, but it is not confirmed if they have "females" among their ranks, however, it has been known in our own animal kingdom within certain species, if there is a shortage of a gender, then the animal can change genders to accomodate that shortage. This has been known to be present some types of lizards and frogs.

It would seem, based on GoW 3's ending, Myrrah's biology is not that of Locust, so we presume she is human; otherwise, we can only speculate about her origins and how she became the "de-facto" leader of the Locust. With that said, it may be logical to suggest that the "Locust" social structure is matriarchal, similar to that of other animal species. An example would be Hyena's.

[SpartanSquat]

@Dragonzilla: Do you mean like therapsids(reptiles like mammals(gorgonopsids)). I know this lay eggs. Maybe are like sharks.
About Kantus I hink they are original locusts. They are more reptilian than other locusts: Dinosaur like feet, snake like tongue and snake like head.
@Jonesybites: Do you mean like in Jurassic Park dinosaurs that can change their sex? Maybe Kantus are hermaphordites like you said some amphibians and fishes.

But here is the question: Locust are fully grown when Berseker give birth them? Or are babies who needs a time to grown.

[Jonesybites]

Again, it is not yet confirmed. For all we know she could lay eggs and not necessarily give birth.

[N1ssassa]

Myrrah is too old to be human. She's probably a cross between human or locust or something. But she's not mortal, she's very VERY old.

[Fishead John]

Myrrah is too old to be human. She's probably a cross between human or locust or something. But she's not mortal, she's very VERY old.

She's still mortal however regardless if she happened to be over a century or something.


Now on the topic of the locusts wouldn't they just be described as a Saurian race?

[N1ssassa]

Well, not mortal in the sense that she will die of old age. And it seems as though she's much more than a century old. I mean, maybe the Queen is a race all her own, and gives birth to another Queen like her, like ants. But I think she's pretty much ageless, it certainly seems so. Think about it, she approached Adam Fenix with the lambent problem more than 20 years before E Day, which means more than 35 years before the events of Gears of War 1. She looks like she's in her late 30s. She either doesn't age, or she's immortal, which does not mean she cannot be killed. Elves can be killed in LotR too, but they're still not mortal.

[Jonesybites]

Well, not mortal in the sense that she will die of old age. And it seems as though she's much more than a century old. I mean, maybe the Queen is a race all her own, and gives birth to another Queen like her, like ants. But I think she's pretty much ageless, it certainly seems so. Think about it, she approached Adam Fenix with the lambent problem more than 20 years before E Day, which means more than 35 years before the events of Gears of War 1. She looks like she's in her late 30s. She either doesn't age, or she's immortal, which does not mean she cannot be killed. Elves can be killed in LotR too, but they're still not mortal.

SPOILERS FOR GOW 3:

Since when was thirty years of age is very, very old? If thirty years is old, then I guess I'm ancient. Furthermore, I do not recall anywhere in the canon that states that she is very, very old. Can we speculate that she may be old, possibly, but the canon has not confirmed this. Furthermore, the reason why I believe that she is more human than Locust is bacause she did not die when Adam's weapon was activcated, which as a result, decimated the entire Locust race, except for Myrrah. Marcus finished her off in the game, and as a result, she died; therefore she is mortal.

Furthermore, according to Tolkien, the Elves were immortal, but they were still subject to death by physical means.

@Jonesybites: Do you mean like in Jurassic Park dinosaurs that can change their sex?

No. In our very own animal kingdom, there are some species that have the ability to change sex. SOme lizards have been known to do this, as well as some species of frogs. No Jurrasic park reference intended.

[DragonzZilla]

No one likes my theory?

[Jonesybites]

No one likes my theory?

I was under the impression they wanted "facts."

[sgtxmfenix]

Just putting it out there....the berserker is a mad screaming ***** cause at the end of a hard day all she looks forward to is 5 locust chaining her down and having their way with her......The poor sad life of a berserker true story though.

[Croswynd]

Yes, that has been established, fenix. Thank you for your colorful addition to the discussion.

To the OP: Honestly, all we can offer are theories or guesses at this point. Keep in mind that since the Locust do not exist, we cannot study them or line them up into a category we have on Earth. In all likelihood, there would be a completely different definition for the species, were we able to know more about their biology than where to shove a knife in to kill them.

[Joveus]

You guys ever entertained the possibility that the Locust didn't evolve underground and don't breed?

[DragonzZilla]

You guys ever entertained the possibility that the Locust didn't evolve underground and don't breed?

If they couldn't breed HOW could they continue to exist? No biological species cannot reproduce.

[Jonesybites]

You guys ever entertained the possibility that the Locust didn't evolve underground and don't breed?

Actually we did. Where were you?

...but because somebody asked, we obliged to answer.

[Fishead John]

Elves can be killed in LotR too, but they're still not mortal.

Well certainly not since they're spirits are cleansed and then given bodies identical to the ones they had before. That's more of a perpetual magical lifecycle.

[Joveus]

If they couldn't breed HOW could they continue to exist? No biological species cannot reproduce.

There are alternatives but... I dunno, I get the strong feeling if I went on about it in this section of the forums the response would be rage and not much else.

Actually we did. Where were you?

...but because somebody asked, we obliged to answer.

It's the first time I've ever entered the "Story and Characters" section. What were your conclusions? If you guys are willing to hear me out, I want to see how well my ideas go down with a group with thoughts so different from my own. If you'll indulge me.

[Jonesybites]

Ugh, double post.

Yea, that's been happening to some of us, here and there.

It's the first time I've ever entered the "Story and Characters" section. What were your conclusions? If you guys are willing to hear me out, I want to see how well my ideas go down with a group with thoughts so different from my own. If you'll indulge me.

Granted we have numerous discussion threads about such topics; unfortunately they were kind of shuffled into obscurity in the massive S&C archive. So to entertain your suggestion, according to the canon, there is nothing that has suggested that the Locust were originally from the Hollows. It only suggested that they dwelled there for some time. Is it possible that they may have existed elsewhere and were not subjectively subterranean, sure it is. We just "assume" that, mostly because the ruins in the Hollows may have suggested that they originally came from there, but there is no substantial evidence otherwise.

Now the canon did "suggest" that they used the Berserkers for breeding. Beyond that, there is nothing that doesn't suggest that they were only limited to Berserkers, nor did they allude that the Berserkers (and Queen) were the only females amongst the Horde. So to entertain that the Locust do not breed may be struck down because of what the canon has stated.

[Joveus]

Granted we have numerous discussion threads about such topics; unfortunately they were kind of shuffled into obscurity in the massive S&C archive. So to entertain your suggestion, according to the canon, there is nothing that has suggested that the Locust were originally from the Hollows. It only suggested that they dwelled there for some time. Is it possible that they may have existed elsewhere and were not subjectively subterranean, sure it is. We just "assume" that, mostly because the ruins in the Hollows may have suggested that they originally came from there, but there is no substantial evidence otherwise.

Now the canon did "suggest" that they used the Berserkers for breeding. Beyond that, there is nothing that doesn't suggest that they were only limited to Berserkers, nor did they allude that the Berserkers (and Queen) were the only females amongst the Horde. So to entertain that the Locust do not breed may be struck down because of what the canon has stated.

Great , exactly the response I was hoping for. So as not to derail this thread, could I trouble you to read the Origins of the Locust thread in my sig? It's a long read, be forewarned, but if you have the patience for it give it a look and let me know what you think. The Kantus thread is sort of a "Part 2" if you're still interested by that point. Ideally I'd love feedback from anyone who believes the Locust have evolved naturally underground for centuries.

Thread derailing over.

[Croswynd]

You can delete them, you know.

[N1ssassa]

There's a word for third double posts. It's a triple post.

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

emmm correction ....They never specify if Myrrah gave Adam 20 years to fix the lambent problem Before E Day. By the logic of Myrrah's dialogue you could infer she means 20 years till the moment she said it.

[NFI]

Myrrah is too old to be human. She's probably a cross between human or locust or something. But she's not mortal, she's very VERY old.

You don't know this, not even remotely.