The sudden disappearance of humanity would make room for a Queen of the World. An Oxford scientist has a clear idea of what animal would take her place.
The possible extinction of humans raises many questions about the future of life on Earth. If our species were to cease to exist overnight, the planet would undergo a transformative process in which ecosystems would rebalance and other species could fill the void we would leave as masters of nature. This scenario provides an interesting field for scientific speculation about which species could adapt, thrive and eventually dominate the world.
Evolution, the ongoing process that shapes life, would decide which life forms could become the new protagonists. Without our influence, species with special abilities are likely to occupy the ecological niches left by humans. In this context, Professor Tim Coulson of the University of Oxford, in an interview with The European, pointed to the strongest candidate.
In Professor Tim Coulson’s opinion, octopuses could become the next rulers of the world thanks to their intelligence, adaptability and unique abilities. These fascinating sea creatures are distinguished by their decentralised nervous system and their amazing problem-solving abilities.
The scientist explains that octopuses have a neural network, mainly located in their tentacles, which allows them to manipulate objects with great precision and to make independent movements. In addition, their ability to camouflage themselves and adapt to different environments makes them a model of survival and versatility: “their problem-solving ability could evolve into a species capable of building a civilisation”, Coulson said in an interview.
The evolution of octopuses is an uncertain bet
Another important aspect is their ability to adapt to different habitats. Although they are aquatic, some octopuses can breathe for up to 30 minutes out of water, which gives them an evolutionary advantage in the face of environmental change. According to Coulson, it is not unreasonable to imagine that they may eventually develop devices that allow them to explore and settle on land, similar to the way humans use scuba diving equipment.
Despite these features, the professor stresses that evolution is an unpredictable process. Genetic mutations, ecological changes and unexpected extinction events can affect the trajectory of any species. However, octopuses have a level of intelligence that would allow them to take advantage of their unique opportunities in a post-human world.
In addition to their cognitive abilities, octopuses have shown remarkable skill in solving challenges. From opening jars to escaping from aquariums, these abilities testify to a potential that Coulson believes can be harnessed to create advanced forms of socio-cultural organisation. Although hypothetical, he believes they could create underwater communities and even interact with terrestrial environments.
