Depiction of what is/isn't a clade
Cladotherianthropy is a subcategory of therianthropy in which a therian does not identify as a distinct species but instead feels a broader identity encompassing an entire clade (group of animals sharing a common ancestor), such as Canis or Canidae, or a larger grouping.
What separates the identity from identities such as genutherianthropy is that the common ancestor of a cladotherians theriotypes can branch over several genera (more than 1 genus). So while the animals they identify with can overlap, a cladotherian's theriotypes are not restricted to a genus but depend on the common ancestor.
Creation[]
The term was created sometime in 2003 by a therian known as Mokele, and the original idea of the term was first presented/suggested on the Awereness Forums. The creator of the term even used it themselves to explain their identity. [1]
"I’m a reptilian cladotherian, a type of therianthropy which has only recently been described and named (see the essay section for more details). It’s complicated, but the shortest explanation I can give is that while, like some other therians, my soul has two parts, human and non-human, in my case the non-human part is not species-specific, but rather the collective essence of the entire reptilian lineage. So, while the part of my soul that is not human is a single animal-side, it has elements of everything Reptilia is, was, and potentially can be. And if this sounds complicated from the reader’s perspective, imagine trying to figure it all out inside your head." [2]
The 'caldo' part of the term comes from the Greek words klados, meaning “branch”. The klados prefix was originally chosen by Mokele because in scientific terms, a clade is a group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants, according to the principles of cladistics.
Recommended Reading[]
"Cladotherianthropy", by Pantairin, House of Chimeras, July 20, 2011 - http://houseofchimeras.livejournal.com/80355.html
"Cladotherianthropy: History and Definition", House of Chimeras, August 16, 2014 - http://liongoatsnake.tumblr.com/post/94968222315/cladotherianthropy-history-and-definition
References[]
- ↑ "Cladotherianthropy: History and Definition" House of Chimeras, August 16, 2014 - https://liongoatsnake.tumblr.com/post/94968222315/cladotherianthropy-history-and-definition
- ↑ Mokele's about page on personal website, The Jungle, February 14, 2014 - https://web.archive.org/web/20040214041246/http://www.therianthropy.org/mokele/about.htm