Gene losses did not stop the evolution of big brains

Elife. 2018 Oct 16:7:e41912. doi: 10.7554/eLife.41912.

Abstract

Elephants and fruit bats have evolved large brains even though they have lost a gene that is fundamental to the supply of energy to the brain when glucose is not available.

Keywords: brain size; cetaceans; elephants; evolutionary biology; fruit bats; genetics; genomics; mammals.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Brain / anatomy & histology*
  • Genes*
  • Humans
  • Organ Size / genetics