The idea of “intelligence evolving twice on Earth” refers to the concept of convergent evolution of intelligence, a widely discussed topic in evolutionary biology. While the dramatic title you quoted (“Intelligence Evolved Twice on Earth”: This Groundbreaking Discovery Redefines Life Itself and Shakes the Foundations of Evolutionary Science) might be a bit hyperbolic for a popular science piece, the underlying scientific concept is well-established and supported by significant research.
Here’s a breakdown of what it means and the evidence:
What is Convergent Evolution of Intelligence?
Convergent evolution is the process whereby unrelated species evolve similar traits independently, often as a result of adapting to similar environments or ecological niches. In the context of intelligence, it means that complex cognitive abilities have arisen in different lineages of animals that are not closely related, rather than being inherited from a single common intelligent ancestor.
The “Twice” Often Refers to:
While some articles might simplify it to “twice,” the reality is that complex intelligence has likely evolved multiple times in different animal groups. The most prominent examples often cited for significant convergent evolution of intelligence are:

• Mammals: Particularly primates (including humans), but also cetaceans (dolphins and whales) and elephants. These groups exhibit complex problem-solving, social learning, communication, and self-awareness.
• Birds: Especially corvids (crows, ravens, jays, magpies) and parrots. These birds demonstrate impressive cognitive abilities, including tool use, planning, self-recognition (in some cases), and complex social structures, despite having very different brain structures from mammals. Their forebrains, while smaller, contain a high density of neurons, allowing for advanced processing.
• Cephalopods: Octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish are invertebrates (no backbone) and are evolutionarily very distant from vertebrates. Yet, they possess remarkably advanced cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, camouflage mastery, tool use, and even personality. Their complex camera-like eyes are another classic example of convergent evolution with vertebrates.
  Why is this significant?
• Challenges Assumptions about Brain Structure: For a long time, the mammalian neocortex was thought to be the unique anatomical basis for higher intelligence. The discovery of complex intelligence in birds and cephalopods, which have very different brain architectures, challenges this view. It suggests that different neural pathways and brain organizations can lead to similar cognitive outcomes.
• Reveals General Principles of Intelligence: By studying how intelligence has evolved independently, scientists can identify the underlying selective pressures and neural mechanisms that favor the development of complex cognition. It helps to distinguish between traits that are unique to a specific lineage and those that are more universally beneficial for intelligence.
• Broader Definition of Intelligence: It encourages a more expansive view of what intelligence is and how it can manifest, moving beyond anthropocentric biases.
  Recent Research and Evidence:
  Recent studies, particularly in avian and mammalian brains, have used techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to compare neural circuits from embryonic development to adulthood. These studies suggest that while mature brain circuits in birds and mammals can be strikingly similar in function, they are constructed differently and arise from different developmental pathways. This provides strong evidence for independent evolution (convergent evolution) of these complex cognitive abilities.
  In summary, the idea that “intelligence evolved twice on Earth” (or more accurately, multiple times) is a key concept in understanding the diverse paths evolution can take to arrive at similar complex outcomes. It highlights the power of natural selection to shape remarkable cognitive abilities in vastly different organisms.

IN A NUTSHELL

• 🧠 Avian intelligence has redefined our understanding of cognition, showing advanced abilities with structurally different brains.
• 🔬 Recent studies support the theory that birds and mammals evolved intelligence independently, using different neural pathways.
• 📊 Convergent evolution is highlighted as similar cognitive traits independently arise in distinct species through diverse evolutionary paths.
• 🤖 Insights into these evolutionary mechanisms could inspire new approaches to artificial intelligencedesign beyond anthropocentric models.

the realm of intelligence, humans often view themselves as the peak of cognitive evolution. However, the world of avian intelligence challenges this notion. Birds, with their remarkable cognitive abilities, have long intrigued scientists. From ravens planning for the future to crows using tools, these feats are accomplished with brains structurally different from ours. This sparks a question: how did intelligence evolve in such distinct paths? Recent studies suggest that intelligence in vertebrates may have evolved independently in birds and mammals, unraveling a fascinating evolutionary mystery.

The Evolutionary Path of Avian Intelligence

For much of the early 20th century, birds were underestimated in terms of intelligence. Their brains, lacking a neocortex—an area associated with higher functions in mammals—were thought to house purely reflexive behaviors. The neocortex, with its six layers of neurons, processes sensory information and influences behavior. However, this view began to change in the 1960s when neuroanatomist Harvey Karten made groundbreaking discoveries. He found that despite the lack of a structured neocortex, birds possess neural circuits analogous to those in mammals, particularly in the dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) of their brains.

This revelation redefined perceptions of avian intelligence. Karten’s work suggested that birds and mammals might share a common ancestral neural architecture. Yet, as research evolved, anatomist Luis Puelles proposed a different perspective. By examining embryonic development, Puelles hypothesized that the avian DVR and mammalian neocortex evolved independently. This sparked a long-standing debate in the scientific community, highlighting the complexity of tracing evolutionary pathways.

Implications for Understanding Intelligence

The study of independent intelligence evolution offers profound insights into the nature of cognition. Understanding these diverse pathways could inform the development of artificial intelligence (AI), encouraging a move away from purely anthropocentric models. Considering alternative cognitive architectures, such as those of birds, could lead to innovative AI approaches inspired by varied biological intelligences.

Furthermore, examining how intelligence evolves across different species may shed light on the fundamental building blocks of cognition. This knowledge could have far-reaching implications, from enhancing our understanding of life on Earth to guiding the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Ultimately, these explorations prompt us to reconsider the paradigms of intelligence and the myriad ways it can manifest in the natural world.

The exploration of avian and mammalian intelligence evolution illustrates the complex tapestry of cognitive development. As researchers continue to unravel this mystery, they pave the way for new perspectives on intelligence, both natural and artificial. What other surprising forms of intelligence might await discovery in the vast diversity of life?

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