Ecologically similar Pokémon: Difference between revisions

The subject of this article has no official name. The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

Certain Pokémon are described as ecologically similar^[1] (Japanese: 生態は似ている^[2] ecologically similar) to previously discovered species, but are otherwise completely different Pokémon. This concept was first introduced in Generation IX.

They are often referred to by fans as convergent forms, convergent Pokémon, or convergent species, relating the concept to convergent evolution in biology. They have also been referred to as regional fakes, due to comparisons to the similar concept of regional forms, which are different forms of the same Pokémon. So far, five of these Pokémon have been introduced. Jacq is known for his research on these Pokémon in collaboration with the World Pokémon Ecological Society.^[3]

History

These Pokémon were first identified by the World Pokémon Ecological Society after the discovery of Wiglett during a survey.^[3] Wiglett was initially mistaken as a possible Paldean form of Diglett before it was decided that it was a different species entirely and the similarities were merely coincidental.

In the games

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the player can find Pokémon that are ecologically similar to other species across Paldea, as well as in Kitakami.

List of ecologically similar Pokémon

Ecologically Similar Pokémon
Ndex	Newer Pokémon	Description	Ndex	Original Counterpart	Description
#0948	Toedscool  Ground  Grass	Inspiration: Wood ear mushroom Habitat: Forests Body: Edible mushroom Diet: Clings to tree roots Behavior: Jumps around, can run at a speed of 30 mph, and dislikes strangers	#0072	Tentacool  Water  Poison	Inspiration: Jellyfish Habitat: Shallow seas Body: Virtually composed of water and can regenerate Diet: Constricts and poisons its prey Behavior: Drifts in sea currents and alerts others by flashing its orbs
#0949	Toedscruel  Ground  Grass	Inspiration: Wood ear mushroom Habitat: Forests Body: Edible mushroom and 10 tentacles Diet: Constricts its prey and sucks out their nutrients Behavior: Jumps around and dislikes strangers	#0073	Tentacruel  Water  Poison	Inspiration: Jellyfish Habitat: Complex rock formations on the ocean floor Body: Virtually composed of water, can regenerate, and 80 tentacles (most are hidden) Diet: Constricts and poisons its prey Behavior: Alerts and weakens others by flashing its orbs
#0960	Wiglett  Water	Inspiration: Garden eel Habitat: Coastlines Body: Stretchy, gooey feel, and it is unknown what it looks like under the sand Diet: Unknown Behavior: Hides in the sand when sensing danger	#0050	Diglett  Ground	Inspiration: Mole (specifically, Whack-a-Mole) Habitat: Tunnels and caves under the earth, also resides in forests Body: Thin skin, it is unknown what it looks like under the ground, and likely has clawed limbs Diet: Plant roots Behavior: Toils and manures the soil perfectly and dislikes the sunlight
#0961	Wugtrio  Water	Inspiration: Garden eel Habitat: Coastlines Body: Stretchy and gooey, triplets sharing one body, and is unknown what it looks like in the rock Diet: Wraps around its prey and drags it to its den Behavior: Vicious temperament and hides from humans.	#0051	Dugtrio  Ground	Inspiration: Mole (specifically, Whack-a-Mole) Habitat: Tunnels and caves under the earth, also forests Body: Triplets sharing one body, it is unknown what it looks like under the ground, and likely has clawed limbs Diet: Each head fights over who gets to eat first Behavior: Toils and manures the soil perfectly, burrows rapidly, causing earthquakes, and attacks unexpectedly on occasion
#???	Poltchageist  Grass  Ghost	Inspiration: Possessed matcha inhabiting a tea caddy Habitat: Old houses in towns and their outskirts Body: Its swirl pattern is not a weak point and lives in matcha. Diet: Drains the energy of those who touch or ingest its powder Behavior: Nocturnal, tends to scatter matcha powder to fix broken objects. It has a vicious temper and attacks anyone who breaks things.	#0854	Sinistea  Ghost	Inspiration: Possessed tea inhabiting a teacup Habitat: Hotels and houses Body: The swirl pattern is its weakness, tastes awfully, and lives in teacup Diet: Absorbs the life force of those who drink it Behavior: Patiently waits for its victims

Trivia

• These Pokémon are similar to the Paradox Pokémon in that they bear a striking resemblance to certain Pokémon but are nonetheless completely different species.
• Poltchageist and Sinistea are the only ecologically similar Pokémon that share a type.
  • Additionally, they're the only ones where the name of the newer Pokémon is not based on its original counterpart, but rather its evolved form; in this case, Polteageist.
• The concept of ecologically similar Pokémon was first introduced with the reveal of Wiglett before the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.^[3]

Origin

While these Pokémon are officially described as "ecologically similar"^[1], it may be more accurate to describe them as "morphologically similar", as while they have similar physical characteristics, many of them occupy very different ecological niches. The concept has been compared to convergent evolution and parallel evolution in evolutionary biology, both of which can lead to separate organisms independently developing similar or identical characteristics and body plans.

In other languages

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

See also

• Regional form
• Paradox Pokémon

References

This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.