17. Speculations about the alien species (Movies: Alien)
Description
This article is from the Alien Movies FAQ, by Darryll Hobsonand Eelko de Vos E.W.C.deVos@TWI.TUDelft.NL with numerous contributions by others.
17. Speculations about the alien species (Movies: Alien)
The following is a highly speculative theory regarding the evolutionary
history of the alien creatures and their natural hosts, as well as the nature
and conditions of the alien homeworld. These speculations are based on
the following assumptions; that the alien evolved on a planet and was not
created de novo by another species in its current form, that the alien and its
homeworld have been shaped by physical and evolutionary forces which
are similar to those in effect on our own world, that the alien is not the
dominant life form on its homeworld, existing instead as part of a complex
ecosystem, and that the homeworld is as diverse with life forms and
potential habitats as is our own. The information used as a basis for this
speculation comes solely from the Alien, Aliens and Alien^3 films.
Important common features of aliens taken from the 3 films:
Host dependent reproduction
Dual stage metamorphic life cycle
Metallo-silicate exoskeleton
Endoskeleton in juvenile form
Growth-stage mediated shedding of skin
Low pH blood
Increased speed & strength (relative to human standards)
Large curving crania of varying morphology
Internal mouthed tongue
Carnivorous external teeth
Air sac bellows in the juvenile form
Articulated limbs and tail in all life stages
Varying number of limbs and digits in different life stages
Predatory or greater intelligence
Copious production of "slime'
Presumed common features observed in some subset of the films:
Presumed sociality and communication
(i.e., the hive was not a fluke)
Internal pressure greater than 14 psi
Body temperature equals ambient temperature
Can "breathe" underwater
Nest built in hot area
Some or all of these features may be due to the adaptation/modification of
the organism to its current lifestyle as a space faring parasitic species. In
the case of modification, it would be most parsimonious to assume that the
aliens were intended for use as biological weapons. This theory assumes
that the creatures found in space are adapted or modified to living in this
habitat, and focuses on estimating their possible ancestral forms and the
state of the ancestral homeworld. It assumes that any modifications and
adaptations have been made using pre-existing characteristics, so that the
ancestral creatures posses similar characteristics. The creatures found in
space are referred to as "modern" in the following discussion.
To avoid confusion between discussions of various theorized species and
their respective life cycles, the life stages have been given specific
designations as follows:
Life cycle stages: Life stage designation [1] Egg is released from queen. EGG *maturation phase* [this period might occur in "utero"] [2] Egg matures. *dormant phase* [length of this phase is indefinite] Host signals are detected. = motion + sounds [3] Egg opens releasing crawler. . LARVA Larva follows host signals. Host's breathing orifice is secured by larva. *implantation phase* ~24 hours [4] Larva implants embryo in host breathing system. EMBRYO Larva dies. *gestation phase* ~1-10 days [5] Chestbuster emerges from host. NYMPH [6] Chestbuster stage undergoes a series of instar-like INSTAR transformations until the imago is achieved. IMAGO [7] Queen-imago creates egg. QUEEN
The life stages encompassing the egg and larva are referred to as
JUVENILE, and those encompassing the embryo, nymph, instars and
imagoes are referred to as ADULT.
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