View in EDS

Evolution of brain size and juvenile periods in primates

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Evolution of brain size and juvenile periods in primates
Authors: Walker, Robert1 http://www.unm.edu/&#x223c, Burger, Oskar1 oskar@unm.edu, Wagner, John1 wagner@unm.edu, Von Rueden, Christopher R.2 vonrueden@umail.ucsb.edu
Source: Journal of Human Evolution. Nov2006, Vol. 51 Issue 5, p480-489. 10p.
Subjects: Cerebral cortex, Mammals, Animal populations, Population density
Abstract: Abstract: This paper assesses selective pressures that shaped primate life histories, with particular attention to the evolution of longer juvenile periods and increased brain sizes. We evaluate the effects of social complexity (as indexed by group size) and foraging complexity (as indexed by percent fruit and seeds in the diet) on the length of the juvenile period, brain size, and brain ratios (neocortex and executive brain ratios) while controlling for positive covariance among body size, life span, and home range. Results support strong components of diet, life span, and population density acting on juvenile periods and of home range acting on relative brain sizes. Social-complexity arguments for the evolution of primate intelligence are compelling given strong positive correlations between brain ratios and group size while controlling for potential confounding variables. We conclude that both social and ecological components acting at variable intensities in different primate clades are important for understanding variation in primate life histories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Copyright of Journal of Human Evolution is the property of Academic Press Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Abstract: This paper assesses selective pressures that shaped primate life histories, with particular attention to the evolution of longer juvenile periods and increased brain sizes. We evaluate the effects of social complexity (as indexed by group size) and foraging complexity (as indexed by percent fruit and seeds in the diet) on the length of the juvenile period, brain size, and brain ratios (neocortex and executive brain ratios) while controlling for positive covariance among body size, life span, and home range. Results support strong components of diet, life span, and population density acting on juvenile periods and of home range acting on relative brain sizes. Social-complexity arguments for the evolution of primate intelligence are compelling given strong positive correlations between brain ratios and group size while controlling for potential confounding variables. We conclude that both social and ecological components acting at variable intensities in different primate clades are important for understanding variation in primate life histories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:00472484
DOI:10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.06.002