evolution

[Anomalocaris]

at the basic level, I think self-awareness requires the capacity to abstractly model oneself,  map direct sensory input onto the model,  use the model to simulate interaction between oneself and environment, and calculate outcome of interaction between environment and self as the affect upon the totality of self.

I think the idea self awareness leads to consciousness is not necessarily true, at least not in terms of how consciousness might be colloquially understood.    It seems to me consciousness is merely a layer of cognitive processing which includes self-awareness.    Evidence from such phenomenon as blind sight suggest that layer is not tightly integrated with other layers of cognitive processing, at least in the human brain.  It certainly seems possible there are parallel models of self integrated into other layers to which the layer we use to, for example engage in conversation on this forum, has little access or awareness.