The end of humanity has on numerous occasions been the starting point of numerous works of fiction, but, if we disappeared from the face of the Earth, who would fill our role as the dominant species?
That question has been answered by the Zoology professor Tim Coulsonfrom the University of Oxford, who in statements collected by the Daily Mailreveals that this new dominant species would be the octopus.
Coulson explains that these cephalopods have the “necessary physical and mental attributes” to evolve into the next civilization-building species.
The expert says that their “dexterity, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other and supreme intelligence” could make them capable of create complex tools to build an underwater civilization.
And while it’s “unlikely” the octopus will become a full land animal, Coulson says it’s smart enough to “prolong” your time out of the water to develop new hunting methods.
Professor Coulson, one of the world’s leading zoologists and biologists who has advised governments, says cephalopods were now in “top” to colonize the world in case humanity disappeared.
The primateslong considered the successors of humans, would face the same challenges as us and also become extinct, he said.
Professor Coulson says that predators, who can breathe for 30 minutes out of waterthey could, over millions of years, develop their own hunting methods on land in the same way that humans have done in the sea.
Coulson, who was previously Professor of Population Biology at Imperial College London and held positions at the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Zoology, London, says: Octopuses are among the most more intelligent, adaptable and resourceful of the Earth.”
“His ability to solve complex problems, “Manipulating objects and even camouflaging themselves with astonishing precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilization-building species after the extinction of humans,” he adds.
“Its advanced neural structure, your decentralized nervous system and their remarkable problem-solving abilities make octopuses uniquely suited to an unpredictable world,” he continues.
“These qualities could allow them to exploit new niches and adapt to a changing planet, especially in the absence of human influence,” adds the expert zoologist.
“In a world dominated by mammals, octopuses remain an underappreciated contender. Your advanced cognition, “Their use of tools and their ability to adapt to changing environments provide a model for what could emerge as the next intelligent species on the planet after humans,” insists the author.
“Of course, the rise of octopuses is entirely speculative: evolution is unpredictable and we cannot say with certainty which path it will take in case of human extinction,” the professor clarifies.
Although they have a relatively short life, between 1.5 and five yearsoctopuses reproduce and reach physical and intellectual maturity very quickly. While they can be sociable creatures, octopuses largely fend for themselves and do not rely on strict, coordinated social behaviors like primates.
Professor Coulson says invertebrates are unlikely to evolve into land animals because of their lack of a skeleton, meaning they have difficulty moving quickly and easily when out of the water.
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