Volus (Earth-5211)

Volus (Latin, Turpis rex, meaning "dishonorable kings"), also historically known as Skitters to humans, are a sapient species of squad bipedal xeno-arthropodal vertobroids native to Irune. They became the third species to be annexed into the Covenant, in 1142. During their enslavement in the hegemony, volus were the lowest-ranking, and were constantly abused and mistreated by its other member-species, such as the kig-yar, sangheili and yautja, being primarily used in combat as cannon fodder and laborers.

Anatomy and physiology
The taxonomic classification to the volus by humans is still a huge source of confusion to the UNSC: they possess exoskeletons, and thus are studied as analogous to Earth arthropods, but despite the confusion, volus are in fact, vertebrate. The UNSC misclassified volus as such duo to their vaguely pseudo-reptilian and insect-like features, such as the presence of six limbs, a carapace, and insectoid mandibles, all physiologically similar to terrestrial arthropods. However, differences include a closed circulatory system. The species is currently classified by the Office of Naval Intelligence as xeno-arthropodal vertebrates, from features which seem to originate from lizard-like amphibians that lived on Irune's oceans. The incorrect nomenclature is still used as an ad hoc identifier out of convenience.

Volus walk on six legs, having a roughly humanoid torso, which possess two clawed arms and a total of eight limbs. Unlike observed on insects, volus have composite eyes with slit pupils, which are not dissimilar from Earth's insects. They can breathe oxygen without aid, with the temperature of human colonies being compatible to their requirements to live. They have a much larger tolerance to cold and heat compared to humans and even most Covenant species. Volus have thick, bio-luminescent blue blood. Skitters need to sleep, preferring to do so by hanging upside-down from trees and ceilings clustered together, much like bats.