Brain size associated with longevity in mammals

Mammals with larger brains in relation to body size tend to live longer. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), affiliated to Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, after having analysed almost 500 mammal species and obtaining new data on the relation between brain size and lifespan.The brain size of some mammals is larger than expected for their body size. This is the case of large primates, such as chimpanzees and gorilla, and of whales, dolphins and elephants. Scientists have spent years investigating why sometimes nature favours the development of large brains given that they require much more time to reach functional maturity and use up so much energy. One of the classical explanations is the Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis (CBH). This hypothesis suggests that a larger brain provides more flexibility in behaviour when facing changes in the environment and makes learning easier, aspects which allow species to overcome ecological challenges successfully. ...

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