Predictable evolution towards larger brains in birds colonizing oceanic islands

Islands may impose a distinct set of selective pressures, leading to the repeated evolution of certain traits. Here, Sayol et al. compare brain sizes of more than 1900 bird species in a phylogenetic context, finding a consistent trend for in situ evolution of increased brain size in island birds.

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ferran Sayol, Philip A. Downing, Andrew N. Iwaniuk, Joan Maspons, Daniel Sol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2018-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05280-8
Description
Summary:Islands may impose a distinct set of selective pressures, leading to the repeated evolution of certain traits. Here, Sayol et al. compare brain sizes of more than 1900 bird species in a phylogenetic context, finding a consistent trend for in situ evolution of increased brain size in island birds.
ISSN:2041-1723