#irken specbio

[invadergrabass]

gals being pals

[invadergrabass]

I love the chest detail on Zim :0

Is that his ribs, like how you can see people's ribs thru the skin, or tatts or just a natural feature??

As in the zig-zags on his torso 🤭

Ah, thanks!! Its a natural feature, actually! Part of his respiratory system.

Here's a little diagram (and some explanations below the cut.)

Spiracles

The symmetrical breathe-y holes connected directly to the irken respiratory system and mouth through the tymbal. There are three on each side, located around where the lower ribs/coastal margin would be on a human.

Tymbal

A specialized sound making organ/resonating chamber located in the center of the chest, capable of producing a wide range of sounds. It is only visible from the outside as a little "plate" embedded over the sternum area. The visible portion varies only slightly between individuals. It vibrates when in use and can even be seen thrumming in some cases.

Additional Notes:

The modern irken is deisgned to be much more neotenic and therefore has a small tymbal with unrefined chambers that are meant only to be capable of the most simple chirps. It can make a few noises, though all are systemically discouraged. As the tymbal becomes less responsive and atrophies with disuse, stillness of the tymbal may sometimes be regarded as a sign of maturity.