Screen shot from the video game Doom

Were the creative team of Star Trek Discovery influenced by previous works of fantasy and science fiction?

The creature that appeared in a recent Star Trek Discovery episode brought back memories of Frank Herbert's Dune series of novels in which an alien "Navigator" was needed to fly their space ships and the Navigator feed on Spice from the planet Dune. In Star Trek Discovery we are introduced to an alien that is essential for navigating their ship and feeds on spores. 

There is also an uncanny resemblance to the Star Trek creature (the Ripper) found in the video game Doom. 

Regardless, I am thoroughly enjoying the new Star Trek series. After all, all creative endeavors build on those that came before, to some extent.