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Cited by 217Primate Behavior and EcologyAnimal Behavior and ReproductionPhysiological and biochemical adaptations

Costs of encephalization: the energy trade-off hypothesis tested on birds

Isler, Karin, van Schaik, Carel·2006·Journal of Human Evolution
DOI 10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.03.006
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Abstract

Costs and benefits of encephalization are a major topic of debate in the study of primate and human evolution. Comparative studies provide an opportunity to test the validity of a hypothesis as a general principle, rather than it being a special case in primate or hominid evolution. If a population evolves a larger brain, the metabolic costs of doing so must be paid for by either an increased energy turnover (direct metabolic constraint) or by a trade-off with other energetically expensive costs of body maintenance, locomotion, or reproduction, here referred to as the energy trade-off hypothesis, an extension of the influential Expensive Tissue Hypothesis of Aiello and Wheeler (1995, Curr. Anthropol. 36, 199-221). In the present paper, we tested these hypotheses on birds using raw species values, family means, and independent contrasts analysis to account for phylogenetic influences. First, we tested whether basal metabolic rates are correlated with brain mass or any other variable of interest. This not being the case, we examined various trade-offs between brain mass and the mass of other expensive tissues such as gut mass, which is approximated by gut length or diet quality. Only weak support was found for this original Expensive Tissue Hypothesis in birds. However, other energy allocations such as locomotor mode and reproductive strategy may also be reduced to shunt energy to an enlarged brain. We found a significantly negative correlation between brain mass and pectoral m…

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  • In a sample of 245 bird species, no correlation between BMR residuals and brain mass residuals could be detected.

    “On the other hand, in a sample of 245 bird species, we could not detect a correlation between BMR residuals and brain mass residuals (Isler & van Schaik 2006).”

    From Metabolic costs of brain size evolution (2006) · cites this paper as Isler & van Schaik 2006

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Authors
Isler, K., & van Schaik, C.
Affiliations
University of Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Isler, Karin
ORCID
Isler, Karin
Venue
Journal of Human Evolution
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-09
Volume
51
Issue
3
Pages
228-243
ISSN
0047-2484 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.03.006
OpenAlex
W2007220091
Cited by
217
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
6.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Human Evolution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Keywords
encephalization, expensive tissue hypothesis, brain mass, birds, basal metabolic rate, flight costs, reproductive costs, locomotor mode, brain evolution, human evolution
MeSH terms
Animals, Basal Metabolism, Birds, Brain, Energy Metabolism, Biological Evolution, Locomotion, Organ Size, Gastrointestinal Tract

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