Why So Big? Understanding the Early Evolution of the Brain in Primates

Explore the early evolution of primate brains in this Royal Tyrrell Museum Speaker Series lecture by Dr. Mary Silcox from the University of Toronto. Delve into the fascinating question of why primates developed large brains, examining the relationship between brain size and body weight. Learn about the use of micro CT scanners to study fossils and create virtual endocasts, allowing for detailed analysis of ancient primate brain structures. Discover key species like Ignacius and Carpolestes simpsoni, and understand how they fit into the evolutionary tree. Compare brain sizes across living primates and examine the development of the neocortex. Investigate modern models and theories explaining primate brain evolution, including the expansion of cortical areas. Gain insights into the three main questions driving this research and the significance of the midbrain in primate evolution.