Anthropogenic environments exert variable selection on cranial capacity in mammals.

ABSTRACT: It is thought that behaviourally flexible species will be able to cope with novel and rapidly changing environments associated with human activity. However, it is unclear whether such environments are selecting for increases in behavioural plasticity, and whether some species show more pronounced evolutionary changes in plasticity. To test whether anthropogenic environments are selecting for increased behavioural plasticity within species, we measured variation in relative cranial capacity over time and space in 10 species of mammals. We predicted that urban populations would show greater cranial capacity than rural populations and that cranial capacity would increase over time in urban populations. Based on relevant theory, we also predicted that species capable of rapid population growth

SUBMITTER: Snell-Rood EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3768300 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature