Lyran

The Lyrans were a felinoid species from the planet Lyrus in the Beta Quadrant. They formed a spacefaring government known as the Lyran Star Empire although many Lyran worlds would eventually join with the United Federation of Planets after the collapse of the imperial government in the early 24th century.

History
In the  Ktarn timeline, the Lyrans were descended from the  Ilbir , a species genetically modified by the  Dinasians  as they attempted to replicate  Iconian  methods. Ilbir were transported to a few colonies as servants and laborers. The three main colonies being  Kzin ,  Ferasa Prime, and  Lyrus. After the fall of the Dinasians, these three groups formed their own governments, achieved faster-than-light travel, and became known as the Kzinti,  Ferasans, and  Lyrans. Though all three species shared this history, each group vehemently denied any connection.