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Behavioral and brain asymmetries in primates: a preliminary evaluation of two evolutionary hypotheses
Author(s) -
Hopkins William D.,
Misiura Maria,
Pope Sarah M.,
Latash Elitaveta M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.12936
Subject(s) - nonhuman primate , corpus callosum , primate , brain size , neuroscience , psychology , cognition , cognitive psychology , functional specialization , biology , evolutionary biology , medicine , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging
Contrary to many historical views, recent evidence suggests that species‐level behavioral and brain asymmetries are evident in nonhuman species. Here, we briefly present evidence of behavioral, perceptual, cognitive, functional, and neuroanatomical asymmetries in nonhuman primates. In addition, we describe two historical accounts of the evolutionary origins of hemispheric specialization and present data from nonhuman primates that address these specific theories. Specifically, we first discuss the evidence that genes play specific roles in determining left–right differences in anatomical and functional asymmetries in primates. We next consider and present data on the hypothesis that hemispheric specialization evolved as a by‐product of increasing brain size relative to the surface area of the corpus callosum in different primate species. Last, we discuss some of the challenges in the study of hemispheric specialization in primates and offer some suggestions on how to advance the field.