Takar, a Srivani
The Srivani are a warp-capable humanoid species from the Delta Quadrant.
The Srivani believe that experimentation on other species is an acceptable method of investigating their own physiology, and justify the inevitable harm caused by citing the number of Srivani lives saved as a result.
Their normal method of experimentation involves using an interphase cloaking device to render themselves, their ships and their devices both invisible and intangible. They then attach to the hull of a passing ship and spend several weeks carrying out experiments on the crew. These experiments range from changes in body chemistry to complex DNA manipulation carried out by cloaked tags, attached to a host's DNA.
In 2374, a group of Srivani used the USS Voyager as a testing ground. The experiments included adjusting the DNA of Chakotay to make him prematurely age and stimulating the dormant Mylean DNA in Neelix, causing him to change species. They also forced Captain Janeway to become increasingly erratic by increasing her dopamine levels.
They were discovered by Seven of Nine and The Doctor who revealed them to the rest of the crew. Since their technology could not be defeated, Janeway flew Voyager at a nearby binary pulsar, almost destroying the ship. The Srivani, realizing that they could be killed, retreated, losing one ship in the process. (VOY: "Scientific Method")
- The Srivani were not named in the episode as aired. Their species name comes from the shooting script.