The main function of a large brain is to buffer
individuals against environmental challenges by
facilitating a behavioural response
Basically = provides flexibility in behaviour when facing changes in
the environment =easier learning allowing species to overcome
ecological challenges
buffer should favour increase survival rates, longer
reproductive life compensating for the delayed
reproduction associated with growing a large brain
large brains store, process and integrate more info about social and physical environment
increased liklihood that modification of behaviours or invent new ones in adaptive ways
Sol et al, 2005
relocated bird species from native range
establishment success higher for species with bigger brains relative
to body size
so brain size is associated with establishment success
inferring species with bigger brains are able to invade
novel locations better than conterparts
supports the hypothesis that large brain
function may have evolved to deal with changes
in the environment
enlarged brains enhance cognitive skills to respond to environmental change
Gonzalez-Lagos et al 2010
analsed data from 493 mammal species
larger brain = longer lifespan = new advantage
more oppertunities to adapt allows to live longer, more chances for
reproduction = beneficial for species
compensation for longer embryonic development needed to
generate larger brains
larger brains = longer to sexual maturirty = compensated for longer
reproductive life
hyenas have larger brain than giraffes relative to body size = on av., live longer
CBH = larger encephalization = larger life span but equally possible
long life favours large brains
thus - possible longer life works on favour of delay of repro cycles allowing
progenitors to invest more resources and time in offspring
leads to formation of stable social groups whose members according to SIH
deal with more cognitive demands than lone animals and goes hand in hand
with large brains