The lower species, of course, can't interbreed, but as each species evolves more, this changes. After all, they're all animals, and at the most basic level are the same anyway.
In fact, even some plants have reached this level of evolution. There are many intelligent species of plant, although admittedly only one that is capable of interbreeding with the other highly evolved species. Which isn't surprising, considering the fundamental differences that have to be overcome. There is much more diffeernce between and elf and a fern than there is between an elf and a hummingbird.
Of course, at a purely cellular level, we are all compatible anyway.
They are, in fact, the only Biped plant species (Biped being used as the common nomenclature, and not necessarily referring all two-legged creatures). Although it is not based entirely on their ability to breed with other Bipeds. There are multiple qualifications to considered a Biped species, although these are purely a matter of scientific distinction. There is really only one qualifying factor, and that is the ability of the species to produce genius level intelligence in one of it's members.
Understanding that 'genius' is not used in the common nomenclature, which merely refers to one who is extremely intelligent, or in some cases, merely extremely learned. If this were the case, a highly intelligent cat could be considered a genius, because it is smarter than all the other cats. Advanced intelligence is more a symptom (if you'll excuse the medical connotations of the term) of genius than a defining quality.
Put simply, a genius is an intelligent being who posseses an unique thought pattern.
Most beings, from the lowest level to the highest, think in their own particular variation of five basic patterns. Studies conclude that it is rare for two beings ot think exactly alike, however, there are major similarities. A genius is one who thiks in a completely unique configuration, which explains both it's rarity, and why all true geniuses are also classified as insane. Insanity is also a result of genius.
This is not, of course, to be confused with savants. A savant is one who thinks in an offshoot of a common pattern, although there is such a thing as a genius savant, one who thinks in an offshoot of a unique pattern, but that is far more rare than even a genius.
This is also not to be confused with the mental affliction known as autism, which is not the result of having a unique thought pattern, but is the result of perceiving things in a unique way. In many cases, this mirrors genius or savantism, because unique perception coupled with common thought can easily bridge the same gaps as unique thought with common perception.
Of course, a number of geniuses, along with their unique thought patterns also possess unique perception.
There is also the phenomena of the so called super geniius, but this is such a rare occurrence that no conclusive tests or studies have been done to show whether there is any difference between a 'super' genius and a regular genius. Most probably, a super genius is merely a more intelligent version of a genius. Genius does not necessarily imply intelligence, although it is even rarer to find a genius whose intelligence is average or below average.
An IQ test, while of dubious usefulness measuring standard intelligence, is utterly useless as a means of determining genius.
Moving on, Kraken are indeed Biped, being able to interbreed, being highly intelligent creatures, having the use of tools, and being capable of producing genius level thought (the term genius level intelligence is misleading and should not be used). They are unique, however, in being the only recorded Bipeds of the Kingdom Plantae.
Because of this, there are other distinctions, such as the persistenct of chlorophyll in their cellular makeup. Also to be noted is the utter lack of homosexuality in the species, something that appears in all other intelligent species. This is most likely because Kraken are Hermaphroditic, and so they choose their own dominant gender, as such, there is never any question of identity. One of the more interesting sociological studies involves the children of a Kraken and a Biped of an Animal, Demon, Fairy or Silicate species.
The entire point of this, is that it must be postulated that there exists, or at least, exists in potentia, other Biped Plant species, and even Biped Fungus species. Protist and Moneran Bipeds are highly unlikely, given that they lack the necessary cellular complexity.
recent...
2001-10-29 - Special dissertation.
2001-10-28 - Yeah, it happens.
2001-10-25 - Things to do.
2001-10-25 - A few songs in my head.
2001-10-24 - Encouragement, dear.
Step Back ---/// Take a Step ///--- End of the Path