I've got the species pretty much finished, but I'm open to criticism or suggestions. I'm going to post the whole thing in three parts, one dealing with the creatures themselves, one with their history and one with their social structure and system of government. Read on, and let me know what you think.
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Message transmitted.
Stardate: 77049.13
Recipient: Admiral Jacob Nells, department of inter-species affairs
Author: Carl Remming, captain, USS Valdemar
Laithan xenobiology.
Admiral Nells, as requested in your previous message my crew have compiled all information we have been able to gather on the alien race known as the Laithan. With luck this will further help us to understand this race, and hopefully avoid further incidents such as the unfortunate event on Stardate 77021.85.
Description.
Laithans stand approximately 6'1 high, with a stooped posture. They are six limbed insectoids with a hard, chitinous exoskeleton. Their head is roughly the same size as a human's, in a shape that has been compared to a watermelon (see notation 72, foods) or a rugby ball (see notation 12, old Earth sports). The torso is similar in dimensions to that of most races, although the most noticeable difference is the hard, glistening shell. Attached to the torso are three pairs of limbs. The abdomen is clearly separate from the torso, similar to creatures such as kranas, ants and s'lor'es (see notation 981, other animals). The abdomen contains several organs, as shall be discussed later.
The head
As has already been stated, the head is similar in dimensions to a human's. As with the rest of the creature it is covered by a hard shell (see attached image 1) about a half a centimetre thick. On either side of the skull is a large compound eye, containing approx 28,000 facets. Set in the forehead are three ocelli, similar to the eyes of a cat (see notation 981, other animals). These eyes are thought to be used for focusing on a desired object or person, as the compound eyes seem unlikely to see in colour.
Situated on top of the Laithan's skull are two long, segmented antennae. Approximately 58 centimetres long, these antennae are thought to take the place of a nose, along with the more 'traditional' functions of inect antennae as Laithans have none.
The Laithan mouthparts are surprisingly similar to some Terran insects. Featuring a labrum, which performs the function of the upper lip, two mandibles, performing the function of teeth, the maxillae, a pair of modified limbs which work behind the mandibles and in front of the labium as a pair of accessory jaws, and the labium, serving as a lower lip.
The brain is roughly similar to that of a Romulan's (see notation 69, mental systems), both in size and shape, although it is believed that Laithans are more in control of bodily systems which other races would have working automatically.
The thorax
The thorax, like most other races, contains many of the creature's organs. It is covered by a half a centimetre thick exoskeleton on the chest, and an almost one centimetre thick shell on the back, giving significant protection to the Laithans internal organs.
The thorax is broken down into a series of concave upper and convex lower integumental plates, the whole thing being held together by a tough yet stretchable membrane, and can be easily be broken down into upper, middle and lower sections. Each of these sections contains a pair of limbs
The Laithan nervous system consists of a brain and a pair of slender connectives cords running side-by-side from the brain to the end of the Laithan's abdomen, known as the 'ventral nerve cord'. These connective cords meet at intervals along the insect's body at the ganglia.
Unlike other races the Laithans do not posses lungs, instead they 'breathe' through sets of spiracles located in pairs on either side of the body.
Like Klingons, the Laithan vascular system contains two hearts. The first, located in the upper body section, is roughly the same size of a human's, although in shape it is more similar to that of a Gorn's (see notation 9821, vascular systems). The second 'heart', if it can be termed that, is located on the lower section, just above where the thorax joins the abdomen. It is made up of a complex series of arteries and cardiac muscle, and is unusual in both shape and size (see attached image 2). Both of these hearts pump blood throughout the body, although the failure of one is not lethal to the creature as it can survive on the other one, provided it does not engage in strenuous activities.
The limbs
Laithans have six limbs, two which have developed into legs and four which have developed into arms.
The legs are roughly one metre long at full extension, and ends, unusually, in a hoof, similar to that of a horse or a vornas (see notation 981, other animals).
The arms, like the legs, are about one metre long at full extension, and contains four joints, a shoulder, two 'elbows' and a wrist. These arms end in three-clawed hands, capable of causing severe injury.
The abdomen
Like the thorax, the abdomen is broken down into a series of convex and concave plates, and contains the Laithans digestive and reproductive system. The abdomen is roughly egg-shaped and about two feet long and is usually held off the ground behind the Laithan. Although the creature can quickly swing its abdomen around in a stabbing motion to hit and object in front of it with a retractable barbed sting, about fifteen centimetres long, located about two thirds of the way down. This sting also produces potent venom (see notation 75, neurotoxins) that is reported to be incredibly lethal, killing its victim slowly and with great pain.
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Thoughts? (if you read this far!
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