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?"

Comments

futurama - How much time is lost in 'Time Keeps on Slippin''

In time Keeps on Slippin' , Farnsworth creates a basketball team which he matures by abusing Chronitons. This leads to time skipping forward by random, but ever increasing amounts. How much time was skipped in this way? Answer Unfortunately, I don't think a good estimate can be made for this, for two reasons: Many of the time skips move forward by an indeterminate amount of time. At one point, the Professor mentions localized regions of space skipping forward much more than others. We then see two young boys on the street below complaining about having to pay social security, only to suddenly become senior citizens and start complaining about wanting their money. Thus, each individual could have experienced a different amount of time skippage.

harry potter - How could Expelliarmus beat Avada Kedavra?

I want to be very careful about how I ask this question – I am not asking How did Voldemort die? [CLOSED] Below the text is the relevant passages from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows if anyone wants to review them (I'm sorry for the amount of text). How did Expelliarmus beat Avada Kedavra and kill Voldemort? I feel the reason Harry's Expelliarmus overpowered Voldemort's Avada Kedavra curse has to do with who was master of the Elder Wand and how the Elder Wand works. I've always had trouble understanding fully how the Elder Wand works, though. How much did the fact that Voldemort never truly won or mastered the Elder Wand factor into how Expelliarmus reacted to Avada Kedavra and caused Avada Kedavra to rebound and kill Voldemort? An answer based in book canon would be especially welcome, but any canon source really is fine. Harry heard the high voice shriek as he, too, yelled his best hope to the heavens, pointing Draco’s wand: ‘ Avada Kedavra !’ ‘ Expelliarmus !...

game of thrones - Is Syrio Forel dead?

In the episode 'The Pointy End' (Season 1 Episode 8) when Arya runs from the Lannister guards you hear the sound of a sword being dropped (around 4:56): [embedded content] After that neither Syrio or Ser Meryn Trant is never mentioned or seen in the show again, except when Arya mentions to the Hound that Ser Meryn Trant killed Syrio. Is there any mention in the books that Syrio actually dies?

tolkiens legendarium - Difference between elves and dwarves blacksmithing in the Lord of the Rings

Both the elves and the dwarves were famous for their metal work in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but what is the difference between what they made, and which one had the better skill of making amours and swords? Answer James Christopher's answer sums up the second part of your question well, but as to the difference in what they made, a little more detail is needed. Once the Elves learned to forge with steel, the shape of the sword changed, now being able to take on the form of a great broadsword or a light and agile curved sword. Additionally, they took great pride in decorating their swords. As we see in the Lord of the Rings , some swords like Sting had magical properties such as glowing blue when orcs are near. As far as the use of Mithril, lotr.wikia has two contradictory passages: Thus, Elven blades became renowned as great weapons, capable of performing deeds beyond the skill of their handlers and were even more glorious when the use of Mithril was allowed to the Elves. ...

Blog

Search This Blog