Chitonits

Chitonits are a fictional species that feature in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. They are a sentient, multi-legged insectoid race hailing from the Tines' World. Chitonits are characterized by their tough, chitinous exoskeletons and their highly communal social structure, living in large, cooperative colonies. Individually, a Chitonit is not considered particularly intelligent. However, when multiple Chitonits gather together, their collective consciousness forms a superintelligence. This collective intelligence is capable of complex thought, planning, and problem-solving that far surpasses the capabilities of any single Chitonit. The size and power of their collective intelligence is directly proportional to the number of individuals present. This unique biological and social arrangement makes them formidable in their own right, despite the limited individual capacity. Their development and advancement are intrinsically tied to the size and coherence of their assembled groups.