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star trek - What function do Xindi cheek holes serve?



All 5 of the extant sapient Xindi species have the same holes (and a line of bumps) on their cheeks, as can be seen below:


Xindi-Arboreal male, a hairy humanoid with somewhat monkey- or lemur-like features and characteristic vertical slits on either cheek.


Degra, a male Xindi-Primate, the most human-looking of the Xindi species, distinguishable only by the same vertical slits on either cheek and strange hair styling.


Commander Dolim, a male Xindi-Reptilian -- his cheek holes are harder to see due to his heavily textured (scaly and creased) skin.


An unnamed Xindi-Insectoid with what appears to be two slits on beneath its eyes lateral to its mandibles.


Two Xindi-Aquatics seen in their aquatic environment through a window. A similar vertical slit and line of bumps are seen on their cheeks.


Has it ever been explained what purpose they serve, or how such different species (which clearly diverged evolutionarily long ago) retain these cheek holes if they're purely cosmetic?



Answer



In-Universe, the common features shared by the 6 Xindi species; Xindi-Aquatics, Xindi-Arboreals, Xindi-Insectoids, Xindi-Primates, Xindi-Reptilians and Xindi-Avians are largely as a result of their shared genetic heritage. According to Wikipedia, they have over 99.5% of their DNA in common so it's hardly surprising that they'd have common physical features.


As you can see from the mask shots below, the ridges are sealed so there's little chance that they serve a physical purpose as glands or for breathing. It's more likely that the skin ridge is a function of supporting the bone ridge (and spines) below.



Xindia Mask


Out of universe, the decision to have the Xindis evolve from a common ancestor requires that they should look at least a little bit alike or fans would say "if they evolved from a common ancestor, how come they look completely different?"


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