Encephalization and quantitative brain composition in bats in relation to their life-habits.

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of the brains of 43 bat species is presented. Eleven brain components were studied. The species were arranged according to seven distinct dietary groups and it was found that the relative development of the principal components is related to those groups. The importance of neocorticalization as a reflection of evolution of all the bats in contrast to specialization in some species is stressed. This work gives a clearer view of Chiropteran progressiveness or primitiveness: the insectivorous forms occupy the least advanced, although most specialized, level; the vampires, the carnivorous species and the flying foxes are at the top of the scale. The importance of behaviour and the relative development of the central nervous system in the hierarchial classification of mammals is stressed.