Metabolic costs of brain size evolution.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Isler K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1834002 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Metabolic costs of brain size evolution.
Isler Karin K van Schaik Carel P CP
Biology letters 20061201 4
In the ongoing discussion about brain evolution in vertebrates, the main interest has shifted from theories focusing on energy balance to theories proposing social or ecological benefits of enhanced intellect. With the availability of a wealth of new data on basal metabolic rate (BMR) and brain size and with the aid of reliable techniques of comparative analysis, we are able to show that in fact energetics is an issue in the maintenance of a relatively large brain, and that brain size is positiv ...[more]
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