Paleoclimatic Variation and Brain Expansion during Human Evolution

摘要: One of the major adaptations during evolution Homo sapiens was an increase in brain size. Here we present evidence that a significant and substantial proportion variation size may be related to changes temperature. Based on sample 109 fossilized hominid skulls, found cranial capacities were highly correlated with paleoclimatic temperature, as indexed by oxygen isotope data sea-surface Indeed, much 52% variance capacity these skulls could accounted for temperature at 100 ka intervals. As index more short-term seasonal fluctuations examined latitude sites from which crania originated. More than 22% equatorial distance.