The brain of LB1, Homo floresiensis.
The brain of Homo floresiensis was assessed by comparing a virtual endocast from the type specimen (LB1) with endocasts from great apes, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, a human pygmy, a human microcephalic, specimen number Sts 5 (Australopithecus africanus), and specimen number WT 17000 (Paranthropus aethiopicus). Morphometric, allometric, and shape data indicate that LB1 is not a microcephalic or pygmy. LB1's brain/body size ratio scales like that of an australopithecine, but its endocast shape resembles that of Homo erectus. LB1 has derived frontal and temporal lobes and a lunate sulcus in a derived position, which are consistent with capabilities for higher cognitive processing.
Falk
Dean
D
Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA dfalk@fsu.edu
Hildebolt
Charles
C
Smith
Kirk
K
Morwood
M J
MJ
Sutikna
Thomas
T
Brown
Peter
P
Jatmiko
Saptomo
E Wayhu
EW
Brunsden
Barry
B
Prior
Fred
F
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002508:Cephalometry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed