Neural
Neural is an inhabited Class M planet.
This is the homeworld of a native, pre-warp species, as well as the Mugato.
Prior to 2268, Neural and its people were protected under the terms of the Prime Directive.
The surface of Neural is similar to that of Earth's, almost identical, but with notable differences in its native life. At the time of the first Starfleet investigations in 2255, the population was tribal in nature. The Hill People were led by female shamans, and were a peaceful, low-technology civilization, centuries or millennia from developing any advanced technology.
On a subsequent visit in 2268, it was found that the people were now divided and warring, with weapons that seemed to be centuries beyond their current technology. The Federation discovered that this was due to Klingon interference, and Captain Kirk broke the Prime Directive in order to fight back against the Klingons' subterfuge.
A major threat to all humanoids on the planet was the Mugato, an ape-like predator with a lethally poisonous bite.
The only known countermeasure was the native mahko root plant, which the leaders of the clans were skilled at administering, through a traditional healing ritual.
This world became a protectorate of the Federation in 2268, after Kirk uncovered and added to the interference.
Official first contact with this world was made in 2254, by the USS Farragut. As of 2378, there was an estimated 27.3 million people living on this planet.
Animal Life
- Anayla: a man-eating predator
- Carzapal: a squirrel-sized mammal
- Unnamed: dog-like mammal with tusks
- Elda: a four-legged carnivore
- Mugato: predatory primate
- Unnamed: rabbit-like mammal with pointed teeth and three ears
- Scorid: a man-eating predator
- Unnamed: sheep-like mammal with six legs
Plant Life
- Confolli: a spiny fruit with sweet pulp
- Fuferan: a bitter-tasting pod vegetable
- Mahko Root: only known cure for Mugato bite
- Regalu: a leafy red vegetable
