Sphenodontia
In both our world and the Different World, Sphenodonts are an enigma, incredibly rare, and incredibly intriguing. Notable for there once-wide history and range, and for the bizarre possession of a brelatively well-developed parietal eye mounted on the top of their heads, seemingly used as a basal light-detection organ. In our world, they are reduced to only two species, the famous Tuataras. Already rare, human introduction of dogs, pigs, cats and rats to their native lands hurt them greatly. In Different World, they are somewhat more common, but can only be found in two places. They are, however, far more diverse, taking a wider range of niches, and taking forms that seem almost unrecognizable to the smaller lizard-like animals of our New Zealand.
DW Sphenodonts can only be found in New Zealand, as in our world, but also in Scotland. The Scottish forms, Haggises, are relatively uniform, and could be mistaken for Tuataras of our timeline. The New Zealand genuses count climbers, swimmers, medium-sized predators, and even one flyer amongst their ranks, undoubtedly capitalizing on the lack of Prolacertiformes and Rauisuchids from their island.
DW Sphenodonts can only be found in New Zealand, as in our world, but also in Scotland. The Scottish forms, Haggises, are relatively uniform, and could be mistaken for Tuataras of our timeline. The New Zealand genuses count climbers, swimmers, medium-sized predators, and even one flyer amongst their ranks, undoubtedly capitalizing on the lack of Prolacertiformes and Rauisuchids from their island.