Larry Niven's kzinti resemble Poul Anderson's Merseians in some respects but Anderson's Ythrians in others. Ythrians were introduced merely as aliens whereas kzinti and Merseians were introduced more specifically as alien villains although both species have been developed more fully since their introductory appearances. We see Merseians coexisting peacefully with human beings on Dennitza and kzinti working for a living on Wunderland.
Another Andersonian species comparable to the kzinti is the
Ardazirho (scroll down):
kzinti are feline whereas Ardazirho are lupine;
both receive space technology from someone else and become interstellar conquerors;
but the Ardazhiro do not become series characters.
Each species is unique. There are no Central Casting "aliens."
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I suggested before that the Ardazirho were, in some ways, more convincing than the Kzinti. Because an intelligent race descended from pack animals would find it more natural to work cooperatively together. A pity we see the Ardazirho in only one of
Anderson's stories!
Ad astra! Sean
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