The allometric approach to species differences in brain size |
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Authors: | P H Harvey M D Pagel |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3PS Oxford, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Allometric methods can be used to test quantitative theories of the relationship between brain size and body size across species,
and to search for ecological, behavioural, life history, and ontogenetic correlates of brain size. Brain size scales with
an allometric exponent of around 0.75 against body size across mammals, but is closer to 0.56 for birds and for reptiles.
The slope of the allometric line often varies depending upon the taxonomic level of analysis. However, this phenomenon, at
least in mammals, may be a statistical artifact. Brain size for a given body size (relative brain size) varies among orders
in birds and mammals, and some dietary associations with relative brain size have been found in particular taxa. Developmental
status at birth is the most consistent correlate of relative brain size: precocial neonates have larger brains for a given
maternal size than altricial neonates in both birds and mammals. Altricial neonates, however, have more brain growth following
birth, and in birds also have larger relative adult brain sizes. Energetic explanations for differences in neonatal brain
growth, although attractive on theoretical grounds, have largely failed to stand up to empirical tests. |
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Keywords: | allometry brain size comparative methods metabolic rate ontogeny |
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