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]

Ecologically similar Pokémon tend to have similar, though not always identical, base stats.

In the core series 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.

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.

List of ecologically similar Pokémon

Ecologically Similar Pokémon
Ndex	Newer Pokémon	Ecology	Ndex	Original Counterpart	Ecology
#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	#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, has 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, has 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 and seas 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, Whac-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, but 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 and seas 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, Whac-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, but 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 Diet: Drains the energy of those who touch or ingest its powder Behavior: Nocturnal, tends to scatter matcha powder to fix broken objects, 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 Diet: Absorbs the life force of those who drink it Behavior: Patiently waits for its victims

Descriptions

The relationships between ecologically similar Pokémon have been described in Pokédex entries and other sources.

Pokémon	Description
Toedscool	Pokédex entry from Pokémon Violet: Though it looks like Tentacool, Toedscool is a completely different species. Its legs may be thin, but it can run at a speed of 30 mph.
Wiglett	Pokédex entry from Pokémon Violet: Though it looks like Diglett, Wiglett is an entirely different species. The resemblance seems to be a coincidental result of environmental adaptation. Jacq's memo from the World Pokémon Ecological Society conference: This Pokémon that lives on the beach or in the sea of the Paldea region would be Wiglett. Although they appeared to be the Paldean Form of Diglett, we've learned that they live and eat differently as if they are entirely different Pokémon. According to the research, it is said that it is a coincidence that they have similar bodies, as they both burrow in the ground and the sand. Official Pokémon Scarlet and Violet website: It’s said that Wiglett’s resemblance to Diglett might be a mere coincidence—a result of its adaptation to its environment.​ Though It May Closely Resemble Diglett, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon: It may look like Diglett, but it’s actually a completely different species of Pokémon.​ Wiglett pokes a part of its body out of the sand to feed in the ocean. It’s still unclear what the rest of its body hidden in the sand is like or how long it might be.
Wugtrio	Pokédex entry from Pokémon Violet: A variety of fish Pokémon, Wugtrio was once considered to be a regional form of Dugtrio.
Poltchageist	Official Pokémon Scarlet and Violet website: It may resemble Sinistea at a glance, but Poltchageist is actually an entirely different species of Pokémon.​ Though Ecologically Similar to Sinistea, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon: Poltchageist has a swirl pattern similar to the one that’s known to be Sinistea’s weak point. However, one thing that sets these species apart is that Poltchageist’s swirl is not its weak point. After a target is sprinkled with some of Poltchageist’s powdery body or eats food dusted with it, Poltchageist drains their life-force and absorbs it as energy.

Base stats comparison

Pokémon	Toedscool	Toedscruel	Wiglett	Wugtrio
HP	40	80	10	35
Attack	40	70	55	100
Defense	35	65	25	50
Sp. Attack	50	80	35	50
Sp. Defense	100	120	25	70
Speed	70	100	95	120
Total	335	515	245	425

Pokémon	Tentacool	Tentacruel	Diglett	Dugtrio
HP	40	80	10	35
Attack	40	70	55	100
Defense	35	65	25	50
Sp. Attack	50	80	35	50
Sp. Defense	100	120	45	70
Speed	70	100	95	120
Total	335	515	265	425

Trivia

• The concept of ecologically similar Pokémon was first introduced with the reveal of Wiglett before the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.^[3]
• 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 are 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.
• Wiglett and Diglett are the only ecologically similar Pokémon with different base stats.
• In the code of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Toedscool and Toedscruel are referred to as "OKAKINGU" (hill king, from Koiking) and "OKAGYARADOSU" (hill Gyarados), respectively, suggesting that they replaced a scrapped idea of an evolution line based on the Magikarp family.
• Toedscool and Toedscruel are the only ecologically similar Pokémon whose counterparts are unavailable in Scarlet and Violet.

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.

Language Title French Pokémon ayant une ressemblance trompeuse German Pokémon äußerlicher Ähnlichkeit Italian Pokémon ecologicamente simile Spanish Pokémon que se parece desde el punto de vista ecológico

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.