OK, stand down folks, I found what I was looking for.
If you're interested, the Bright Nova form is based on a life form called a 'Mefnanim', a Dark Nova is based on a 'Hulnanim', and either Dwarf form appears to be based on an alien form called a 'Kurukt'.
I can go and do some work again now.. my boss will be pleased when I tell him 
Can anyone recall the name of the actual alien lifeforms that the nova and dwarf forms are taken from?
I read the bright nova one in the enemy 'info' box this morning as my Peacebringer obliterated an enemy squid. The name began with an 'M' I think. (I've done a bit of searching but drawn a blank and it's niggling me now.)