Rigellian The Rigellians were a species of intelligent turtle s . ( ) Rigellians were believed to have four or five gender s , according to information obtained by Doctor Phlox . ( ) Also , the Rigellians were responsible for developing a unique gene therapy technique that was capable of curing medical conditions such as Taggart ' s Syndrome . ( ) Rigellian commerce was regulated by the Rigellian Trade Commission during the 22nd century . ( ) In 2154 , a Rigellian scoutship fell victim to an attack by a Romulan drone ship which disguised itself as Earth starship in order to destabilize the sector . Recognizing the vessel , the Trade Commission contacted Starfleet to demand compensation for the loss of their vessel and the arrest of " Enterprise " s commanding officer , Captain Jonathan Archer . ( ) In early 2155 , the Rigellians participated in talks discussing their wish to join as a possible member in the Coalition of Planets along with Human s , Tellarite s , Andorian s , Coridan s , and Vulcans . ( ) During the negotiations , six of the Earth universal translator s experienced a " glitch " and started confusing the Rigellian language with Andorian . ( ) Appendices . Background information . The name " Rigellian " was introduced to the world nearly a full six months before the release of " The Motion Picture " . During her visit to the set of " The Motion Picture " , Susan Sackett noted many " curious creatures " , including the " reptilian Rigellians " . ( " " # 23 , , p . 31 . ) The Rigellians were designed by Fred Phillips and Robert Fletcher for " The Motion Picture " . With the approval of Gene Roddenberry , the Rigellians , as well as numerous other new species in the film , were named by Fletcher and provided a backstory by him . The following is a brief description , in Fletcher ' s own words : " " RIGELLIANS – Descended from race of saber - toothed turtles , learned to walk upright . Range from five nine to seven feet and over . Unisex . Lay eggs . Real power is with attendants who serve , feed , and care for them . Costume of draped wool . Hands and feet of sculpted rubber . Wear ceremonial helmet and half - armor . Armor sculpted in studio craft shop , molded Fiberglas and chrome - plated . " " ( " " , p . 132 ) In an interview with Robert Fletcher – published as part one of " The " Star Trek " Costumes " , in the edition of " Fantastic Films " – the Rigellians were described thus ; In an interview appearing in the edition of " Fantastic Films " , part two of " The " Star Trek " Costumes " , Fletcher revealed more information about the Rigellians and the design of their costumes : " " This is the Rigellian Lord . They are a race of spacegoing turtles who no longer have shells to support their bodies . The material in his costume is a knit . The draping and coloration of the armor plating makes him a very elegant fellow . The armor plating was sculpted in the studio craft shop and is really fiberglass that has been chrome plated . " " The Rigellian Lord is a very tall creature and his attendant is a smaller creature but physically the same . His costume is very similar to the first Regellian but a little less regal in appearance . The he is carrying was done by Tom and Maggie Browne and it ' s a carving representing his master ' s household crest and position in the community . The first Rigellian is not really the master . You see , the large turtles are the egg carriers and the smaller ones are the real power in the community . I guess you would call the Lord a figurehead . " " When Mego produced a 3¾ " action figure for its second series in , the company inadvertently called it a " Rigellian " . In an article appearing in the edition of , entitled " Who is that Alien ? " , the following information about the Rigellians , which included information taken from Fletcher ' s original background notes , added : " " Believe it or not , the Rigellians were supposedly descended from a race of saber - toothed turtles . They only had one gender and reproduced by laying eggs . Their armor was principally ceremonial , and the real power lay with their attendants who gave them food . " " The costumes for the Rigellian Lord and Attendant were later sold in during the It ' s A Wrap ! sale and auction . Apocrypha . In the novel " Taking Wing " , these Rigellians were called " Chelon " , or " Rigellian Chelon " . The term is also used in " Tower of Babel " and the " " series for the species ' name . In the Last Unicorn Games and Decipher role - playing games , they are called " Chelarians " and hail from Rigel III ( Chelar ) .