Re-evaluating the link between brain size and behavioural ecology in primates.

ABSTRACT: Comparative studies have identified a wide range of behavioural and ecological correlates of relative brain size, with results differing between taxonomic groups, and even within them. In primates for example, recent studies contradict one another over whether social or ecological factors are critical. A basic assumption of such studies is that with sufficiently large samples and appropriate analysis, robust correlations indicative of selection pressures on cognition will emerge. We carried out a comprehensive re-examination of correlates of primate brain size using two large comparative datasets and phylogenetic comparative methods. We found evidence in both datasets for associations between brain size and ecological variables (home range size, diet and activity period), but little eviden

SUBMITTER: Powell LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5666103 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature