Work Text:
Title
The Dietary Evolution of the Domesticated Sehlat
Keywords
Sehlat, domestication, digestion, diet
Abstract
While outwardly it may appear that there are only minor differences between the domesticated Sehlat ha'kel and their wild counterparts, Sehlat kwai, studies show greater differences in the digestive system that may have aided in domestication. This paper aims to highlight these differences, with a focus on the digestion and processing of food. We will then examine how these differences came to be and then address how domesticated Sehlats, as omnivores, have historically gotten their nutritional needs met in Vulcan society.
Introduction
Sehlats have been steadfast companions to Vulcans for approximately 11,000 years. In that time, they have seen a vast amount of change—Vulcans have turned from hunter gatherers to crude farmers to a technologically advanced and complex society. They have seen countless wars and the solidification of Surak’s teachings into Vulcan philosophy of life. But more than that, Sehlats have seen changes amongst themselves; while Sehlat kwai are strict carnivores, their domesticated counterparts are omnivores.
Throughout history, Sehlats have had their nutritional needs met in a variety of different ways. Examining their diets, as well as the way their bodies process food, is just as important to Vulcan history as it is to ecology. In studying the changes of Sehlats’ digestive systems, and in examining how we got there, we can see the common threads of domestication across the Federation and beyond.
Evolutionary Differences
At first appearance, wild and domesticated Sehlats seem very similar. They are both large, temperamental creatures with protruding fangs and long, thick brown hair. Unlike the canines of Terra, there is little variation in coat color among domesticated Sehlats. A closer look, however, does reveal morphicology differences. Even at face value, domesticated Sehlats are smaller, and their protruding fangs are shorter and more dulled. The smaller skull size of domesticated Sehlats means they have smaller brains and smaller, more crowded teeth (Axelsson et al., 2261). Further comparison of the teeth of domesticated Sehlats and their Sehlat kwai reveals that domesticated Sehlats have teeth that are smaller and more crowded. Sehlat kwai have more developed molars which are necessary for crushing bone and cartilage. This also implies wild Sehlats’ teeth are sharper and more appropriate for shearing, while domesticated Sehlats tend to be rounded and less complex. Additionally, Selhat ferus have bigger sagittal crests for more muscle attachment, allowing for a stronger jaw (T’Ratt, 2265).
On a behavioral level, domesticated Sehlats have reduced aggressiveness and altered social cognition capabilities (Axelsson et al., 2261).
Perhaps more interesting, however, are the dietary differences between domesticated and wild Sehlats. Domesticated Sehlats show an increased capacity to digest starch on a genetic level, as well as a parallel increase to glucose uptake (Axelsson et al., 2261). They have more copies of the protein amylase, which begins the breakdown of starch in the intestine. This makes them more capable of digesting starch-rich foods such as grains (Pennisi, 2261). Additionally, while domesticated and wild Sehlats have the same number of copies of the gene MGAM, which codes for maltase—another enzyme important in starch digestion—the maltase produced by domesticated Sehlats is longer. The longer form of the protein is present in herbivores, suggesting length is important to plant-eaters. This difference makes the maltase produced by domesticated Sehlats more efficient (Pennisi, 2261). This, paired with the longer intestinal tract of domesticated Sehlats, suggests that domesticated Sehlats have evolved to effectively and efficiently digest starch-rich foods such as grain and plants, and that they are now omnivores instead of strict carnivores (T’Ratt, 2265).
A Look at Evolution
In examining the evolution of Sehlats, it is important to study how they became domesticated. A vital piece of the puzzle is the knowledge that Vulcans are vegetarian by choice, not by biology. Before the Time of Awakening, ancient Vulcans did consume meat. One common theory of domestication is that Sehlats were originally drawn to the herds of livestock that ancient Vulcans kept, as well as the waste dumps of leftover food. Domestication was accompanied by selection of three genes with key roles in starch digestion: AMY2B, MGAM and SGLT1. Studies show modern domestic Sehlats having an increased glucose uptake is a structural mutation—which changes the shape of the genes—instead of a regulatory mutation, where the way the gene functions changes (Axelsson et al., 2261).
Results show that adaptations that allowed the early ancestors of modern domesticated Sehlats to thrive on a diet rich in starch, relative to the carnivorous diet ofSehlat kwai, constituted a crucial step in early domestication. This may suggest that a change of ecological niche could have been the driving force behind the domestication process, and that scavenging in waste dumps near the increasingly common human settlements during the dawn of the agricultural revolution may have constituted this new niche (Axelsson et al., 2261). In short, findings may suggest that the development of agriculture catalysed the domestication of Sehlats, and that the Sehlats that were better able to digest the starchy foods of early Vulcan diets alongside meat were able to thrive. This made them more likely to stay close to camps and villages. Waste dumps provided a ready source of food, albeit not meat, the usual diet. Thus early Sehlats that evolved more efficient starch digestion had an advantage (Pennisi, 2261).
Meeting a Sehlat’s Nutritional Needs
Vulcans were once able to accommodate the nutritional needs of the omnivorous Sehlat with ease, as they consumed meat as well. Sehlats could have their needs met simply by consuming the food scraps of their Vulcan masters. This all changed during the Time of Awakening. As Vulcans turned away from emotion and violence and towards pacifism and logic, they began to reject the consumption of meat. This meant alternative methods had to be found to feed Sehlats so that their nutritional needs could be met without the compromising of Vulcan morals (T’Ratt, 2265).
Historically, meats served as the main source of Vitamin B12, sodium chloride, copper, and calcium for Sehlats. As these are all essential vitamins and nutrients to Sehlats, non-meat alternatives had to be found to serve as the source of these nutrients instead.
First, we will examine Vitamin B12. It is essential in metabolizing fats and carbohydrates and converting food into energy. It is required in the formation of green blood cells. Additionally, it is needed to produce myelin, the fatty layer that covers nerves, and therefore is essential for nervous system function. Without Vitamin B12, many of a Sehlats enzymatic and metabolic processes cannot proceed normally, which can result in clinical signs such as poor growth in young animals, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, and neurological dysfunction (Coates, 2265).
In the modern age, Vitamin B12 can be synthesized in a lab or created from fermented bacteria. It is found in animal byproducts such as milk and eggs (Watanabe et al., 2262). It can also be found in t’induka, a Vulcan-specific fungus which grows on the trees in the oases in Vulcan’s forge. (T’Blissi, 2263). After Vulcans ceased keeping animals for meat and before advancements to science and technology that allowed Vitamin B12 to be produced artificially, this is historically how Vulcans met this nutritional need.
Second is sodium chloride, or salt. Due to advancements in managing the heat, Vulcans do not need high amounts of sodium chloride in their diet. Unlike Vulcans, however, Sehlats do sweat—through their noses and the pads of their feet. As such, it is vital for them to consume food with high amounts of sodium chloride (T’Blissi, 2263).
Sodium is essential for nerve and muscle function and is involved in the regulation of fluids in the body. Sodium also plays a role in the body’s control of blood pressure and volume. Chloride ions, on the other hand, serve as important electrolytes by regulating blood pH and pressure. Chloride is also a crucial component in the production of stomach acid. Sehlats excrete salt when sweating and must replenish these lost sodium and chloride ions through their diet (T'Ratt 2265).
Meat is a natural source of sodium chloride, and so in turning away from its consumption, Vulcans had to find another renewable source for Sehlats. This is easily found in the plomeek plant. The plomeek is a halophyte, a type of plant that has adapted to meet the harsh conditions of salt-rich environments. The plomeek filters sodium chloride up into the succulent-like leaves, which allows the hearty root of the plant to grow uninterrupted. This also serves a secondary benefit: Vulcans do not need high amounts of salt, so there is little nutritional benefit to eating the leaves themselves. This way, the byproduct of the plant is not wasted.
Next, we will examine copper. Sehlats have copper-based blood. This means they need copper to produce hemocyanin, which carries oxygen through the bloodstream. Low levels of copper in the blood leads to anemia. In mild cases, anemic Sehlats may suffer from exhaustion, weakness, or low blood pressure .In more extreme cases, they may suffer from cardiac problems, gestational issues as well as underdevelopment and growth faltering in young Sehlats (Staaf 2265). There is, however, an easily-accessible natural source of copper in Vulcan deserts: The Vulcan cacti cer-cen, are naturally high in the mineral, and easily provide enough copper to meet the needs of even a full-grown male Sehlat (T’Blissi, 2263).
Calcium is essential for the development of strong bones in Sehlats. Calcium also aids in the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, and muscular systems. In the wild, a Sehlat would obtain this resource from bones and cartilage. If a Sehlat does not consume adequate amounts of calcium, bone resorption occurs. As a result, low levels of calcium can lead to bone fracture, muscle spasticity, tooth loss, and epilepsy (T’Ratt 2265).
Vulcans and Sehlats both have a highly dense skeletal system, which means calcium is an essential nutrient to them. This makes finding a source for Sehlats to get their needs met much simpler. Calcium is found in the root of the plomeek, which has historically been used in Vulcan society as a food staple because of its high nutritional value (T’Blissi, 2263).
Conclusion
The changes we have seen between wild and domesticated Sehlats suggests that modern-day Sehlats do not require a meat-only diet and have been coevolving along with Vulcans over the last 11,000 years. One cannot help but wonder how Sehlats will continue to evolve over the next several millennia. Will the domesticated Sehlat discard the need for protein derived sources entirely and become herbivores? Studies so far are inconclusive—some suggest their needs for meat-specific nutrients are slowly ebbing away (Sialk, et al 2263), while others show that Sehlats need the same vitamins and minerals as before (Stek 2262).
In the current era, these nutrients can also be produced synthetically in a lab, and modern Sehlat food often is a mixture of both natural and artificial sources. However, it is important to acknowledge the historical source of these nutrients in order to understand not only the scientific impact, but also the cultural influence. It shows the dedication of Vulcans to keep their loyal and steadfast companions around without compromising their own strong morals.
Regardless, there is an important element to consider: the fact that these nutritional needs can still be met on Vulcan is an unlikely phenomena, and may not be possible on other planets. Vulcans have found alternative sources for each essential nutrient Sehlats need, but the same may not be true for the canines of Terra or the targs of Kronos. More studies must be done on the differences in Sehlat, canine, and targ diets in order to compare them adequately before conclusions can be drawn about meeting the needs of these creatures with vegetarian diets. In acquiring a new animal companion, one must first assess if they can reasonably provide it with an appropriate diet.
References and Citations
Pennisi, E. (2261, January 23). Diet Shaped Dog Domestication. Science.
Axelsson, E., Ratnakumar, A., Arendt, M.-L., & Maqbool, K. (2261). The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature.
Coates, J., DVM. (2265, July 1). Vitamin B12 for dogs. PetMD.
Watanabe, F., Yabuta, Y., Bito, T., & Teng, F. (2262). Vitamin B12-Containing plant food sources for Vegetarians. Nutrients, 6(5), 1861–1873.
T’Ratt. (2265). The Ancient Vulcan’s Companion: A history of sehlat domestication. Vulcan Ecology Journal.
Staaf (2265, September 20). Iron deficiency anemia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic.
T’Blissi. (2263). A Nutritional Analysis of Vulcan Flora and Fungi. Vulcan Ecology Journal.
Sialk, T’Pon, & Selin. (2263). The Evolutionary Pathway of Wild to Domestic. Vulcan Ecology Journal.
Stek. (2262). Consistency through Evolution: The Dietary Needs of the Domestic Sehlat. Vulcan Ecology Journal.