Developmental constraints on behavioural flexibility

摘要: We suggest that variation in mammalian behavioural flexibility not accounted for by current socioecological models may be explained part developmental constraints. From our own work, we provide examples of constraints affecting flexibility, only among individuals, but also species and higher taxonomic units. first implicate organizational maternal effects androgens shaping individual differences aggressive behaviour emitted female spotted hyaenas throughout the lifespan. then compare carnivores primates with respect to their locomotor craniofacial adaptations. inquire whether antagonistic selection pressures on skull might impose differential functional evolvability skulls brains these two orders, thus ultimately each group. that, even when would theoretically benefit from same adaptations nevertheless exhibit less than because imposed past morphology limbs skull. Phylogenetic analysis consistent this idea suggests greater evolutionary lability relative brain size within families carnivores. Thus, consideration help elucidate flexibility.