Date: 22 Mar 2010 02:13 Title: A Crash Course in Cardassian Anatomy
Very interesting read, and well researched (never heard of therapsids before). They were like the Archaeopteryx, which had both avian and reptilian characteristics. I would guess that the "tinkering" of the ancient humanoids featured in "The Chase" made Cardassians biologically compatible with Bajorans, since, as a general rule, hybrids of two different animal species are sterile.
Author's Response:
The way I see the compatibility issue, there are certain genetic "analogues" to keep the species' genomes similar enough that with a bit of advanced medical help, the two species' codes can be meshed. The Cardassians are therapsids, but of a rather mammaliforme type which is why, with help, they are able to interbreed with mammalian species. (Which only works in the Trekiverse, obviously, but I assume there is some sort of medical intervention.)
And that is an interesting comparison, with the archaeopteryx--therapsids, of course, pre-dated the beginning of the avian families. Class Aves (to which birds belong) comes from a subset of the dinosaurs called the theropods.
Date: 23 Feb 2010 08:37 Title: A Crash Course in Cardassian Anatomy
How very interesting and informative! Biological and cultural differences among species in Star Trek is one of the reasons I've watched the show over so many years. Your treatise here is a great help in learning more about Cardassian origins... and for settling human curiosity.
(I'm not sure I understand the star system here...so I left your essay with none - but I'd give it five out of five!)
Author's Response:
No worries about not leaving stars...I actually don't like the star system, so that's fine with me! :-)
I'm glad you enjoyed my theories about Cardassian origins! Almost all of that was original information I gleaned from looking at the makeup, and one chance comment in Andrew J. Robinson's book A Stitch in Time that I chose to interpret as literal, not just figurative. (Garak in that book refers to Cardassians sensing each other's energy somehow...you can interpret it as something spiritual/metaphysical, but when I looked at everything about Cardassian makeup, and what we knew about their hearing, taking it literally actually made more sense.)
[Report This]Date: 21 Dec 2009 01:22 Title: Drawing a Cardassian--Front View
Simply amazing, Nerys!
Unfortunately, I'm not terribly far off from Berat in terms of the steadiness of my hands ... so the likelihood that I'll be able to put this into practice (well, at least in an effective manner) is slim. But it was a fascinating read, and the finished product ... let's just say I'm envious of your talent! (And your handwriting!)
This is such a great tutorial, and I hope those with better artistic skills than me will put it to much use!
Author's Response:
Thank you very much! :-)
Now be careful what you say, or Berat will march into your quarters with a drawing kit and dare you to prove that statement. ;-) Seriously, though, he'd be telling you not to put yourself down. If you ever do want to get started drawing, I'd recommend starting with Cedarseed's tutorials--they RULE.
Oh, and it's funny...teachers used to loathe my handwriting when I was in grade school. But now that I'm older, people seem to love it. Weird how that happened!!!
Date: 21 Dec 2009 01:15 Title: A Crash Course in Cardassian Anatomy
I'm completely picturing Cardassian skin as feeling like a cat's tongue. Do I have the right idea about the microscales?
This is incredibly well-researched and well-thought out, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Nerys.
On to part two of my educational reading for tonight!
Author's Response:
Hm...maybe not QUITE as rough as a cat's tongue (the papillae of a cat's tongue are a bit more raised than the microscales are)...something vaguely like sandpaper is what it felt like the time I dreamed I shook a Cardassian's hand. It's pretty hard to explain, though, so it's my fault for not getting it across.
Glad you're liking it! :-)