Science fiction has often been reproached, and not without reason, for skewing a view of the universe towards a humanoid — that's not to say human — form. Star Trek doubled down on not tripling the special effects budget when it introduced (in The Chase ) its version of a great directed panspermia to explain any inter-species resemblances beyond the pointy ears and the odd antenna. If anthropomorphism predominates, then it's because it predates the anthropic by a few billion years, i.
e., they don't look human — humans don't look human — they look like a Progenitor! However, in spite of the outward preponderance of bipedalism and variations on a familiar visage, Trek has tried, and succeeded, over the decades, with the means at its disposal, to diversify the range of extra -terrestrials on offer. One such effort at difference and differentiation was the inclusion of all manner of things shapeshifting, beginning, in theory, in the first ever episode of Star Trek to be broadcast — The Man Trap .
A Salt Vampire might well be a shapeshifter on a technicality, but it's one you'd be wise not to argue whilst you're on the other end of those suckers. Most recently, we got the news that one species of shapeshifter in particular would soon be making a return to the franchise after an absence of more than 30 years. We couldn't help but wonder, therefore, about all the other changers-of-form out there in galactic Trek history.
This, you might say, is our bucket list. 11. Changel.