Star Trek Guide for Newbies Part 2: Species Guide

For those of you who didn't read the first installment in this series, part one of my guide focused largely on the differences between the five series as well as gave you a few definitions of commonly used terms in the Star Trek Universe.

In this installment I'll be giving you a brief overview of the different species that appear in the shows.

So without further ado...

Andorian:

A species of blue humanoids with long antenna protruding from their heads. In the Enterprise series they are engaged in an on again off again war with the Vulcans. By the original series they are members of the Federation and only appear sporadically.

Vulcan:

A species that looks a lot like humans only with pointed ears and more noticeable eyebrows. Vulcan's suppress all of their emotions, relying heavily on logic. They also possess some degree of telepathic abilities including the ability to share memories through a process called a "mind meld." Vulcans appear in every series.

Jem'Hadar:

A race of genetically engineered soldiers created by a race of shape changing aliens. Due to an intentionally designed flaw in their biology, Jem'Hadar are completely loyal to the species that created them as they are the only ones capable of producing a substance their bodies need to survive. This group appears only in the Deep Space Nine series in which they and their creators are at war with the Federation, Klingons, and eventually the Romulans.

Cardasian:

A species of somewhat reptilian looking humanoids. They are best known in the Star Trek universe for invading and occupying Bajor, killing millions of Bajorians and forcing millions more of them to flee their homes. Cardasians are a highly militaristic culture that in the Deep Space Nine series allies themselves with the Dominion (a government run by the shape changers who created the Jem'Hadar). Cardasians appear in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager.

Bajoran:

A highly religious species recognizable by their ridged noses. This species plays an important part in the Star Trek universe because of their war with the Cardasians. Bajorans appear in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager.

Breen:

The final ally in the dominion. No one knows exactly what they look like due to the fact that all members of this species wear an environmental suit that completely prevents anyone from seeing any of their features. This species only appears in Deep Space Nine.

Romulan:

A secretive species that physically resemble Vulcans, although with no telepathic abilities. Romulans also do not suppress their emotions, another difference from Vulcans. In the original series and Next Generation the Romulans are the enemy of the federation but by about midway through Deep Space Nine they become a temporary ally.