Critical Animals

If you could name one animal and one only as being the "most critical" to life on earth which would it be and why?

I nominate the humble bumble bees. Because? Bees are necessary in the polination of about one third of the food consumed directly by humans. No Bees, No Humans.

Let's not include microbes and virus, though there are arguments for all. Instead let's take the attitude that they are just regular little helpers in our guts. Kind of the "jelly fish" view of things.

The humble earwig.
Because everything begins with e & ends with g.

Originally posted by StarValleyWy
If you could name one animal and one only as being the "most critical" to life on earth which would it be and why?

I nominate the humble bumble bees. Because? Bees are necessary in the polination of about one third of the food consumed directly by humans. No Bees, No Humans.

Let's not include microbes and virus, though there are arguments for all. ...[text shortened]... they are just regular little helpers in our guts. Kind of the "jelly fish" view of things.

I nominate our ancestors - the humble, playful, and lovable monkey. Without them... where would be we?