Tammerons

The Tammerons were a species of ursinoids originating on the planet Tammeron. The Tammeron society was generally advanced, peaceful, and equitable. However, it contained one significant feature that made its entry into the Federation controversial.

Early in Tammeron history, the planet was shared by multiple variations of the dominate ursinoid genus, similar to how early Earth was shared by populations of Homo Sapiens as well as Neanderthals and Devisonans. But while on Earth, the various subspecies both killed and interbred until only Homo Sapiens remained, on Tammeron events played out differently. The equivalent of Homo Sapiens, known as the Tammor, effected an outcome roughly equivalent to domesticating their Neanderthal equivalent, since known as the Tamral, turning the Tamral into both a beast of burden and servant class.

Unlike many other societies with a history of severe class distinction, the more brutal and violent aspects of the division died off early, at the very beginning of Tammeron's recorded history. However, the distinction lasted long enough that selective breeding had enough time to create substantial differences between the two subspecies. The Tammor developed increased intelligence and the capability of abstract thought, complex language, and eventually developed the foundations of organized civilization. Meanwhile the Tamral developed with larger size and muscle mass but never developed the capacity for language and abstract thought. The arrangement was stable enough over the course of several millennium to become a fundamental element of the Tammeron civilization.

Both Tammor and Tamral don't communicate with throat and mouth vocalizations as most other humanoids do. Instead, they have a large patch of white fur extending from the top of their neck down to the bottom of their chest, which changes color based on their mood, intent, and communication. The Tammor developed the ability to finely tune their colorations and their movement, using them to communicate complex thoughts and concepts by varying the color, shapes, and movement of their fur coloration. In contrast, the Tamral only ever developed a much more limited ability to communicate mood and intent with the same basic biological process.