Why big brains? A comparison of models for both primate and carnivore brain size evolution.

ABSTRACT: Despite decades of research, much uncertainty remains regarding the selection pressures responsible for brain size variation. Whilst the influential social brain hypothesis once garnered extensive support, more recent studies have failed to find support for a link between brain size and sociality. Instead, it appears there is now substantial evidence suggesting ecology better predicts brain size in both primates and carnivores. Here, different models of brain evolution were tested, and the relative importance of social, ecological, and life-history traits were assessed on both overall encephalisation and specific brain regions. In primates, evidence is found for consistent associations between brain size and ecological factors, particularly diet; however, evidence was also found advocating

SUBMITTER: Chambers HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8691615 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature