54-million-year-old skull reveals early evolution of primate brains
source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/23/content_11584107.htm
-
-
- Bigdog_mike
- added this
Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) and the University of Winnipeg have developed the first detailed images of a primitive primate brain, unexpectedly revealing that cousins of our earliest ancestors relied on smell more than sight
The analysis of a well-preserved skull from 54 million years ago contradicts some common assumptions about brain structure and evolution in the first primates, also, narrows the possibilities for what caused primates to evolve larger brain sizes.
Researchers used CT scans to take more than 1,200 cross-sectional X-ray images of the skull, which were combined into a 3-D model of the brain.
Changes in brain size and brain structure in the early stages of primate evolution have generated enormous debates for decades. But until now, fossil evidence has been lacking.
The analysis of a well-preserved skull from 54 million years ago contradicts some common assumptions about brain structure and evolution in the first primates, also, narrows the possibilities for what caused primates to evolve larger brain sizes.
Researchers used CT scans to take more than 1,200 cross-sectional X-ray images of the skull, which were combined into a 3-D model of the brain.
Changes in brain size and brain structure in the early stages of primate evolution have generated enormous debates for decades. But until now, fossil evidence has been lacking.
-
- groups:
- Earth and Science, Science
-
- tags:
- Earth and Science, Science, Animals, Evolution, 2 more
