title: Evolution of the base of the brain in highly encephalized human species.
abstract: The increase of brain size relative to body size-encephalization-is intimately linked with human evolution. However, two genetically different evolutionary lineages, Neanderthals and modern humans, have produced similarly large-brained human species. Thus, understanding human brain evolution should include research into specific cerebral reorganization, possibly reflected by brain shape changes. Here we exploit developmental integration between the brain and its underlying skeletal base to test hypotheses about brain evolution in Homo. Three-dimensional geometric morphometric analyses of endobasicranial shape reveal previously undocumented details of evolutionary changes in Homo sapiens. Larger olfactory bulbs, relatively wider orbitofrontal cortex, relatively increased and forward projecting temporal lobe poles appear unique to modern humans. Such brain reorganization, beside physical consequences for overall skull shape, might have contributed to the evolution of H. sapiens' learning and social capacities, in which higher olfactory functions and its cognitive, neurological behavioral implications could have been hitherto underestimated factors.
authors.affiliation: Paleoanthropology Group, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC. J. G. Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain. mbastir@mncn.csic.es
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bastir
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosas
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gunz
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peña-Melian
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harvati
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kruszynski
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stringer
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hublin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D002508:Cephalometry; D005580:Fossils; D059125:Neanderthals / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans