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Neocortical development and social structure in primates

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Abstract

The relationships between the relative size of the neocortex and differences in social structures were examined in prosimians and anthropoids. The relative size of the neocortex (RSN) of a given congeneric group in each superfamily of primates was measured based on the allometric relationships between neocortical volume and brain weight for each superfamily, to control phylogenetic affinity and the effects of brain size. In prosimians, “troop-making” congeneric groups (N=3) revealed a significantly larger RSN than solitary groups (N=6), and there was a significant, positive correlation between RSN and troop size. In the case of anthropoids, polygynous/frugivorous groups (N=5) revealed a significantly larger RSN than monogynous/frugivorous groups (N=8). Furthermore, a significant, positive correlation between RSN and troop size was found for frugivorous congeneric groups of the Ceboidea. These results suggest that neocortical development is associated with differences in social structure among primates.

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Author notes

  1. Toshiyuki Sawaguchi

    Present address: Section of Neuroanatomy, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, 06510, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.

  2. Hiroko Kudo

    Present address: Japan Monkey Centre, 484, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kyoto University, Japan

    Toshiyuki Sawaguchi & Hiroko Kudo

Authors
  1. Toshiyuki Sawaguchi
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  2. Hiroko Kudo
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Sawaguchi, T., Kudo, H. Neocortical development and social structure in primates. Primates 31, 283–289 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02380949

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02380949

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