This could be an interesting challenge and planning component. For example the C,D,E evolution could be a more powerful Ark, but would always suffer from a grade disadvantage until after evolution, and you would then have the challenge of planning ahead on smart use of the grade boosters to get said Ark to A,S grade once it had evolved. It would bring a strategic element to how you spend your limited resources in the game. Is this ark worth using the grade boosters on to elevate it? If not is it viable at grade C? etc. etc. Even this though is similar to pokemon, one base monster that evolves in different ways based on conditions isnt a new concept, but it certainly is an interesting one.
Maybe you can make arks that are widespread (like… seaquill/seaspine and bitefish/biteschool) differently colored? Like, a seaquill on Ark Island is blue, but a seaquill in the desert (let’s face it, guys, they’re everywhere) is sandy-colored?
Or you can make some arkadions have alternative colors. Perhaps you add little bonuses, corresponding on how rare they are.
Or you can make it like the pokemon thing and how fast you level it affects its stats.