Big Cat Coalitions: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Brain Volumes in Felidae.

ABSTRACT: Broad-based species comparisons across mammalian orders suggest a number of factors that might influence the evolution of large brains. However, the relationship between these factors and total and regional brain size remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between relative brain size and regional brain volumes and sociality in 13 felid species in hopes of revealing relationships that are not detected in more inclusive comparative studies. In addition, a more detailed analysis was conducted of four focal species: lions (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus), cougars (Puma concolor), and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). These species differ markedly in sociality and behavioral flexibility, factors hypothesized to contribute to increased relative

SUBMITTER: Sakai ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5071314 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature