Could two intelligent species evolve on the same world?

[Amerissis]

Sure, why not? There could be a world so much bigger than ours, that two intelligent species would've evolved before they even met. There could be a planet with so many resources that there is no need for strive and both species could evolve together peacefully. Planets where species never evolved the selfish gene. Planets where one species evolved deep in the ocean and the other on mountain tops high in the sky, so they never met until they both launched spaceships. Planets where one intelligent species was way, way ahead and just observed as other species evolved intelligence. So many possibilities.

[Shadowferal]

Seems to me we're a perfect example.

[Lochton]

They most likely could if they were of the right levels of intelligence but we have no examples to research and compare with.

[Shadowferal]

They most likely could if they were of the right levels of intelligence but we have no examples to research and compare with.

Except our own inability to live with each other.

[Lochton]

Except our own inability to live with each other.

Correct, which means, we aren't on the right level to be compared to anyone yet or even matched up.

[Queen of Hamsters]

We're already making not-as-intelligent species extinct. So no, I'd say that one group would always compete with and sooner or later extinct the other.

[StillMcfuu]

Define "intelligent species".

I haven't watched the video, but I can already imagine multiple issues with this question vs sci-fi worlds the question is likely based on.

First problem: As I said, define "intelligent" species.
Second problem: There are multiple intelligent species on Earth already, just they aren't tool using primates.
Third problem: At this point in history, it's not unreasonable to say that Human development of technology is completely unique in the universe. We have zero proof that there has ever been any other kind of Race in the stars that are as advanced as we are.

Even if we restrict this to intelligence creating technology; yes it's possible as it's essentially happened here. Might as well considering multiple races developing in different parts of the planet as evidence of this. If for some reason there was an alligator people that came to prominence the same time humans did, there is no reason to believe they wouldn't continue to develop. Even after a contact period, seeing as China wasn't taken over by the Middle Easterns or Rome didn't kill everyone not Roman, there is no reason to believe if the Chinese just so happened to be alligator people that they still wouldn't have held fast as their own civilization.

And before anyone mentions Neanderthals or other sub-human species, they were more or less integrated. They were an inferior evolutionary branch, 2 completely separate species that are the prime evolutionary branch is a different situation.

[Ripster42]

And before anyone mentions Neanderthals or other sub-human species, they were more or less integrated. They were an inferior evolutionary branch, 2 completely separate species that are the prime evolutionary branch is a different situation.

They were possibly more intelligent. The most common theory for their extinction is quite literally oversized heads. The large heads meant more problems during birth, selecting for even wider/larger hips, especially in women. This is a major problem for locomotion. The increased calorie need for the larger brain mass coupled with less economical motion due to hips was a major drain on resources, which, in conjunction with higher infant mortality rates, was essentially the end for them.

[StillMcfuu]

They were possibly more intelligent. The most common theory for their extinction is quite literally oversized heads. The large heads meant more problems during birth, selecting for even wider/larger hips, especially in women. This is a major problem for locomotion. The increased calorie need for the larger brain mass coupled with less economical motion due to hips was a major drain on resources, which, in conjunction with higher infant mortality rates, was essentially the end for them.

Modern humans do have a good chunk of Neanderthal DNA as well (at least those outside of Africa), meaning that they didn't only die off.

Not refuting what you say, but the biggest theories I've seen is integration/being left behind (not adapting). While they may have had bigger heads, that doesn't necessarily mean more intelligent. I'd say the bigger driver in the calorie needs would be their size, and not specifically their head size. Less efficient locomotion would also be a massive factor in caloric needs.

I just think saying "their heads were too big, they died more in child birth" is a poor theory considering they got there through evolution. The factors of not being able to adapt to changing environments, with their lower birth rate, and intermingling with non-Neanderthals all lead to them functionally not existing anymore is a more accurate statement/likely theory.

[Shadowferal]

Define "intelligent species".

First problem: As I said, define "intelligent" species.

Yeah...we've a ways to go.

[PC2]

Define "intelligent species".

A species is intelligent if its members are general problem solvers and universal explainers. Currently only humans can create explanations of the world and that's what separates us from all other living creatures. It's possible for a non-human to be intelligent but they haven't evolved anywhere separately from hominids as far as we know and AI isn't intelligent yet either, but it can be in the future.

[Ripster42]

Modern humans do have a good chunk of Neanderthal DNA as well (at least those outside of Africa), meaning that they didn't only die off.

Not refuting what you say, but the biggest theories I've seen is integration/being left behind (not adapting). While they may have had bigger heads, that doesn't necessarily mean more intelligent. I'd say the bigger driver in the calorie needs would be their size, and not specifically their head size. Less efficient locomotion would also be a massive factor in caloric needs.

I just think saying "their heads were too big, they died more in child birth" is a poor theory considering they got there through evolution. The factors of not being able to adapt to changing environments, with their lower birth rate, and intermingling with non-Neanderthals all lead to them functionally not existing anymore is a more accurate statement/likely theory.

It was the increased infant mortality selecting for larger hips, not just the increased infant mortality alone (more successful pregnancies to wider hipped mothers). As far as caloric needs go, an increase of 10% in brain size is a larger hit than a corresponding increase to body size. Brains, per gram, consume more energy than any other type of tissue. Their brains were a bit less than 10% larger than ours (IIRC somewhere around 1400ccs compares to around 1300ccs for us). While this isn't a 10% increase in caloric needs or anything, it doesn't need to be. When advantages as low as fractions of a % leading to successful propagation of a genotype in a population within several generations, even small advantages (or disadvantages) can have massive effects.

[Athorha]

Did we ever all have blue eyes?

[Shadowferal]

Did we ever all have blue eyes?

Yes. When we're born.

[PhaelixWW]

Yes. When we're born.

No, actually, that's a myth. Blue-eyed babies are actually a minority.

[Master Guns]

No such distinction. Race =/= Species

To give more specifics Klingon and Humans are the same race they can breed because they are the same species human.

Jaguars and Tigers can breed because they are the same species.


Dolphins and Human are different species both evolved certain intelligence


Could two different species coexist? Probably. That would all depend on the needs of one vs the needs of another.

Dolphins might have a completely different idea on how to develop and progress in this environment.


If said ambition is similar in other words Dolphins are as intelligent as humans and have the same desires.

Then NO. We’d have a pretty big problem.

The example every other variable of human that seem to be intent on destroying each other.

No way is that going to then mesh well with another similar species.

I..what? No, dude. Just no. Klingons are not humans. The fuck?