Exploring How Substantially Larger Brains Have Evolved
In a recent study, researchers explored how much larger brains can be evolved over time. They found that, while the maximum size of mammal brains is limited, it can be substantially increased in size as long as the necessary metabolic energy is available.
The scientists used computer simulations to show that a theoretical mammal with a brain about three times the size of a human’s could exist, given that it was provided with enough food and energy to support it. This means that the size of mammal brains can be pushed much further than previously thought.
The researchers believe that this finding could have implications for our understanding of the evolution of large brains in mammals. It suggests that the size of mammal brains is not as limited as previously thought, and that larger brains could evolve if the necessary metabolic energy is available.
source: Phys.org