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Taxonomic inconsistencies
Family inconsistencies
Blowhogs
Tusked Blowhog is in a different family than the Blowhogs (which belong to the Blowhog family), but has the same genus, Sus. This does not reflect real world taxonomy, because family is located above the genus on the classification tree, and as such every member of a genus must share the same family. Olimar notes that they are "similar to an ancestor species of the Fiery Blowhog" without marking any direct ancestral connection.[1]
Flint Beetle inconsistencies
Although the Iridescent Glint Beetle is in a different family (Glint beetle family) to the Iridescent Flint Beetle and Doodlebug (which belong to the Flint beetle family), it has the same genus, Pilli, as both. This is inaccurate to real world taxonomy because family is located above genus on the classification tree, so every member of a genus must share the same family.
In the English version of the Pikmin 2 Piklopedia, the Doodlebug belongs to the "flint bug family", however in other language versions it belongs to the flint beetle family. This was fixed in the Nintendo Switch port. In the Spanish localization, both Glint beetles and Flint beetles are called Escarabichuelos.
Grub-dogs and Breadbugs
The first members of the Breadbug family were seen in Pikmin, but the actual family was not mentioned or named until Pikmin 2. Notoriously, the smaller enemies in this family mimic the appearance of Bulborbs in the grub-dog family. Olimar's notes for the Dwarf Bulborb do mention a "vanilla breadbug", but this is simply referring to the basic Breadbug. Breadbugs share the two toed feet of grub-dogs, and in the first two games have similar vocalization.
Every member of the family is in the Pansarus genus aside from the Fiery Dwarf Bulblax, which is under Oculus. However, Oculus was a genus belonging to the grub-dog family prior to this enemy's first debut. Complicating the matter further, the Fireflap Bulborb, another member of this family, has the same species name as the Bulblax – volcanus. Adding even more to the confusion, the Fiery Young Yellow Wollywog, belonging to the very distant amphituber family, actually has a genus name of Volcanus. Because of these inconsistent and illogical taxonomic levels, it's safe to assume that these are all mistakes. Therefore, the Fiery Dwarf Bulblax should actually be in the Pansarus genus with all the other breadbugs. As for the amphituber in question, it can be decided that the genus Volcanus and the species volcanus are completely different levels and have the same names just by coincidence.
Spectralids inconsistencies
In Pikmin 2, all Spectralids (Yellow, Red or Purple) were referred to as one species: "Unmarked Spectralids". Scientifically, all were classified within the flitterbie family under Fenestari prismatus. With the release of Pikmin 3, Spectralids made a reappearance in three different colors (white, yellow, and red), all defined as different species by the lock-on display. This was further proven by the Piklopedia, which gives each their own species name. However, all were classified under the flutterbie family, one letter off from "flitterbie". The Yellow and White Spectralids also share the Fenestari genus, which is shared by all members of the flitterbie family. The Red Spectralids, however, have the Fenestrati genus, only two letters off from Fenestari. Adding even more confusion, Hey! Pikmin introduces the Electric Spectralid as part of the Floaterbie family. It also shares the Fenestari genus. Some localizations including Japanese do not distinguish between "flutterbies" and "floaterbies".
Additionally, all Spectralids share the suffix -prismatus, except for the Electric Spectralid which which has the scientific name Fenestari luminescens.
Genus inconsistencies
The Creeping Chrysanthemum shares a genus name Taraxacum with the Dandelion, even though they are in separate families; in real life, this is impossible, as different species cannot be in the same genus and different families. Additionally, the in-game Margaret plant is actually a yellow marguerite. Causing even more confusion, it's claimed to be in the chrysanthemum family, likely due to marguerites, dandelion and chrysanthemums belonging to the same family in real life.
In Pikmin 2, all mandiblards in that game are told to be in the himeagea genus. However, the Shearblug, Speargrub, and Queen Shearwig introduced in Hey! Pikmin are in a species with the same name as the genus. A genus can't also be labeled as a species, since the same level of classification can't change depending on creature. So, it can be argued that those enemies's species and genus names were swapped accidentally, and all mandiblards should be under the himeagea genus. The members of the wracknid family also have the genus name himeagea but are unlike the mandiblards spider-like. This is impossible, as members of different families cannot share the same genus.
Species inconsistencies
There are many cases where infant versions of a creature has a different name to the adult counterpart.
Oddly, despite the Smoky Progg (Magovum vaporus) being stated to be an offspring of Mamuta (Hortulanus asymmetria), they have completely different scientific names.
The scientific names for the Empress Bulblax (Oculus matriarcha) and the Bulborb Larva (Oculus bambinii) indicate they are different species, even though the latter is offspring of the former and should have the same scientific name. However, creatures on PNF-404 are often very different from real-world creatures, so it giving birth to a different species wouldn't be too implausible in contrast to some other creatures. In the Japanese version, however, there are no scientific names; instead, the game features Japanese names. In these names, the Empress Bulblax and the Bulborb Larva don't specify what type of Bulborb they are speaking of; the game simply refers to them as "Dememadara" (specimen with an expanded egg sac) and "Dememadara", where Dememadara is the Japanese name for the Bulborb species. One can identify that the specimens we see in the game are Red Bulborbs, however the Piklopedia entry doesn't specify it since it's not something specific to the Red Bulborbs. In a very similar case, the Spotty Bulbear is claimed to have the subspecies dotticum, differing it from the Dwarf Bulbear. Not only does this not match since the dwarf variant lacks a subspecies, but it also is claimed to be a younger version of the Bulbear.[2] An early English script shows the Bulbear's scientific name was originally just Oculus terribilis, like its younger counterpart.[3]
The Fiery Blowlet, described as the infant stage of the Fiery Blowhog, has the subspecies infanta, while the adult Fiery Blowhog doesn't even have one.
In the English version of the Creature Log the Centipare belongs to the centipare family while its adult form, the Adult Centipare belongs in the centifly family. In the Japanese, Dutch, German, Korean, and Spanish versions, both belong to the same family.
Behavior-altering parasite
Creatures which get possessed by parasites are listed among the family which controls them.
Moldy Dwarf Bulborbs and Moldy Sloochs are classified as members of the Sporovid family rather than grub-dog and slooch families because they are controlled by the spores of the Toxstool. Similarly, Bulbmin belongs to the Pikmin family. It can be argued that Mushroom Pikmin, which has no official classification yet, belongs to the Sporovid family for being controlled by a Puffstool. The Japanese website stated that they may no longer count as Pikmin.[4]
Another example is the Startle Spore which belongs Chrysanthemum family and the taraxacum genus has nested inside a group of mushrooms.[5] On the other hand, the Creeping Chrysanthemum is also stated to be parasitic[6] but still shares the family with the margaret despite being likely its host.
Confusingly, the bulbmins has the genus parasiticus (while all other pikmins have the genus pikminidae) while the Toxstool and their minions has the genus parasitus.
Other implied relations
Additionally, in Pikmin 2 Olimar states that Pikmin are not tricked by the Creeping Chrysanthemum appearance and he concludes that they might share a common ancestor.[7] For some unknown reason it was changed in Pikmin 4, where Olimar now states that Pikmin are fooled "despite being members of the same class of organisms."[8]
The Pellet Posy is said to be related to the pikmin and candypop families.[9] The Candypop Bud is even speculated to be the "next step in Pikmin evolution".[10]
References
- ^ “Similar to an ancestor species of the Fiery Blowhog, this creature has a pair of sharp tusks that it uses to charge enemies with vigorous violence.” – Olimar in Olimar's notes
- ^ “A grub-dog larva in its third stage of development, this creature's body structure is nearing maturation. However, unlike mature bulbears, it has yet to claim its own patrol route, and thus is dependent upon its parent for guarding direction.” – Captain Olimar in his notes on the Dwarf Bulbear.
- ^ Bulbear Pikmin 2/Early English Script on The Cutting Room Floor
- ^ “もはやピクミンとは思えないような姿の種類もいるようだ……。”, 調査レポート on Pikmin Garden, retrieved on 21 July 2023
- ^ “The defining characteristics of the fungi that grow from its head differ from that of the Chrysanthemum family's Creeping Chrysanthemum, but the makeup of the body out of which they grow is mostly the same. As a result, we can theorize that like fellow Ambuloradicis the Bulbmin, this species is not an evolutionary variation, but that the body is a parasite that has nestled inside a group of mushrooms. Because the hosts are mushrooms, the Startle Spore cannot photosynthesize. Instead it gains nutrients by catching its prey with highly poisonous fluids, or by absorbing the nectar in the ground left behind as creatures killed by its poison decompose.” – Olimar in Olimar's notes
- ^ “Similar to the Bulbmin, the plant part parasitizes another organism.” – in English Translation of Pikmin Garden
- ^ “Like Pikmin, the creeping chrysanthemum is a member of a group of creatures with ambulatory root structures. This creature is known as a "mimic," but because it is actually a form of plant, this label is not entirely accurate. For unknown reasons, the creeping chrysanthemum's mimicry does not fool Pikmin, perhaps because they share a similar heritage.” – Olimar in Olimar's notes
- ^ “It uses its mimicry to lie in wait and ambush prey, unrecognized even by Pikmin despite being members of the same class of organisms.” – Olimar in Olimar's notes
- ^ “In the stem of the pellet posy, one can observe the muscle fiber unique to half-plant, half-animal species such as the Pikmin and candypop flowers, so the pellet posy is a species that can be considered a close relative.” – Olimar in Olimar's notes
- ^ “Could this be the next step in Pikmin evolution? Like the Pikmin themselves, it has many mysteries.” – in Enemy reel