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Primate encephalization.

Louis Lefebvre1

  • 1Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. louis.lefebvre@mcgill.ca

Progress in Brain Research
|January 11, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Encephalization, the increase in brain size relative to body size, is linked to complex lifestyles and cognitive abilities. This review synthesizes evidence on its correlates and evolutionary trade-offs.

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative psychology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Encephalization, defined as increased brain or neocortex size relative to body size, is a key evolutionary trend.
  • Understanding the factors driving and resulting from encephalization is crucial for comprehending cognitive evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review large-scale comparative studies on the correlates and trade-offs of encephalization.
  • To identify commonly used measures of encephalization and their associations with functional variables.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive review of 26 large-scale comparative studies on encephalization.
  • Analysis of lifestyle, cognitive, life history, and evolutionary correlates.
  • Examination of associated trade-offs and methodological controversies.

Main Results:

  • Lifestyle correlates include group living, large home range, high-quality diet, reliance on vision, and arboreal/forest dwelling.
  • Cognitive correlates encompass better captive test performance, tactical deception, innovation, tool use, social learning, and general intelligence.
  • Life history shows a longer lifespan, while evolutionary correlates include rapid microcephaly gene change and increased brain size over macroevolutionary time.
  • Trade-offs involve slower juvenile development, higher metabolic rate, and sexually selected dimorphism.
  • Corrected neocortex size and residual brain size are popular measures, though controversies exist regarding measurement and brain evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Encephalization is associated with a suite of complex lifestyle, cognitive, and life history traits.
  • Evolutionary trade-offs accompany increased brain size, impacting development and metabolism.
  • Methodological debates persist regarding the measurement and interpretation of encephalization patterns.