Kig-Yar: Difference between revisions

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==Biology==
==Biology==
===Anatomy and physiology===
===Anatomy and physiology===
[[File:Jackal by Halsey.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ruuhtian physiology and skeletal structure as drawn by [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]] in [[2536]].]]
[[File:Jackal by Halsey.jpg|thumb|250px|Ruuhtian physiology and skeletal structure as drawn by [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]] in [[2536]].]]
[[File:H5G-Jackal Neural Network.png|thumb|left|250px|A diagram of an Ibie'shan's neural network.]]
[[File:H5G-Jackal Neural Network.png|thumb|left|250px|A diagram of an Ibie'shan's neural network.]]
Kig-Yar share many features with Earth avians as well as reptiles and exhibit several features that are common among species that have evolved in low-gravity environments, such as ''[[Lacerta erectus]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|bestiarum}} Their legs are sinewy and muscular, and are digitigrade in structure like those of birds. Though they have been mistaken for carnivores,{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} the Kig-Yar are apparently an omnivorous species.{{Ref/Reuse|md73}}<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 49''</ref> Kig-Yar possess very sharp teeth, and their jaws are tipped with a hooked, bird-like beak. Both their hands and feet are tridactyl, and are armed with sharp talons. Their hands in particular exhibit an unusual structure, with a single large middle finger surrounded by two opposable thumbs. Their eyes are protected by a nictitating membrane that sweeps across the eyes horizontally. Starved Kig-Yar have been known to eat the flesh of fallen enemies, as well as that of live prisoners. They are gifted with extraordinarily acute senses of sight, hearing, and smell, making them adept as scouts and snipers in the Covenant military. Kig-Yar are also very agile, and can execute swift jumps and rolls in combat; these abilities are most pronounced in the more muscular [[T'vaoan]] subspecies, members of which can leap great distances and cover ground at extremely high speeds. Kig-Yar possess a strong salty, occasionally acrid stench.{{Ref/Reuse|B.net}}<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 159''</ref>
Kig-Yar share many features with Earth avians as well as reptiles and exhibit several features that are common among species that have evolved in low-gravity environments, such as ''[[Lacerta erectus]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|bestiarum}} Their legs are sinewy and muscular, and are digitigrade in structure like those of birds. Though they have been mistaken for carnivores,{{Ref/Reuse|journal}} the Kig-Yar are apparently an omnivorous species.{{Ref/Reuse|md73}}<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 49''</ref> Kig-Yar possess very sharp teeth, and their jaws are tipped with a hooked, bird-like beak. Both their hands and feet are tridactyl, and are armed with sharp talons. Their hands in particular exhibit an unusual structure, with a single large middle finger surrounded by two opposable thumbs. Their eyes are protected by a nictitating membrane that sweeps across the eyes horizontally. Starved Kig-Yar have been known to eat the flesh of fallen enemies, as well as that of live prisoners. They are gifted with extraordinarily acute senses of sight, hearing, and smell, making them adept as scouts and snipers in the Covenant military. Kig-Yar are also very agile, and can execute swift jumps and rolls in combat; these abilities are most pronounced in the more muscular [[T'vaoan]] subspecies, members of which can leap great distances and cover ground at extremely high speeds. Kig-Yar possess a strong salty, occasionally acrid stench.{{Ref/Reuse|B.net}}<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 159''</ref>
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===Genetic variety===
===Genetic variety===
[[File:JackalCloseup.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A closeup of a Ruuhtian Kig-Yar's face. Notice the razor-sharp teeth and scaly skin.]]
[[File:JackalCloseup.jpg|thumb|250px|A closeup of a Ruuhtian Kig-Yar's face. Notice the razor-sharp teeth and scaly skin.]]
Unique even among the diverse assortment of the other client species of the Covenant, the Kig-Yar species has vast genetic variation within their race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointuniverse}} The Kig-Yar species is represented by at least three morphologically distinct subtypes. These include the mainstream "Jackals" of [[Ruuht]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141013192606/https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2988575_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2988575 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 37'']</ref> the notably reptilian Jackals of [[Ibie'sh]], and the more physically robust and more avian natives of [[T'vao]]. Many [[xenobiology|xenobiologists]] believe the morphological variation among the Kig-Yar likely represents diverging evolutionary pressures in response to varied environments and ecosystems on prehistoric Eayn and, subsequently, their various interplanetary colony worlds. However, all of the known variations of the species have the ability to effectively breed with all other subtypes of the Kig-Yar species and exhibit no marked cognitive differences.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointuniverse}}<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''' (2011), ''pages 56-57''</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/characters/video/the-jackals/24dc0ecc-8cf0-473a-aae3-266fe6019d61?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Jackals'']</ref>
Unique even among the diverse assortment of the other client species of the Covenant, the Kig-Yar species has vast genetic variation within their race.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointuniverse}} The Kig-Yar species is represented by at least three morphologically distinct subtypes. These include the mainstream "Jackals" of [[Ruuht]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141013192606/https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2988575_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2988575 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 37'']</ref> the notably reptilian Jackals of [[Ibie'sh]], and the more physically robust and more avian natives of [[T'vao]]. Many [[xenobiology|xenobiologists]] believe the morphological variation among the Kig-Yar likely represents diverging evolutionary pressures in response to varied environments and ecosystems on prehistoric Eayn and, subsequently, their various interplanetary colony worlds. However, all of the known variations of the species have the ability to effectively breed with all other subtypes of the Kig-Yar species and exhibit no marked cognitive differences.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointuniverse}}<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''' (2011), ''pages 56-57''</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/characters/video/the-jackals/24dc0ecc-8cf0-473a-aae3-266fe6019d61?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Jackals'']</ref>