Brain growth in chimpanzees: wild vs.captive, mass vs. volume

Abstract

This study compares postnatal brain size change in two important samples of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): brain masses of captive apes from the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and endocranial volumes (ECVs) of wild-collected individuals from the Ta'i Forest, Cote d'Ivoire. Unlike for other skeletal collections, age at death is known for every individual in these samples. These cross-sectional datasets therefore allow inferences of patterns and rates of brain growth in these populations. Previous studies have revealed differences in growth, development and health between wild and captive animals, but such habitat effects have yet to be investigated for brain growth. It has also been hypothesized that brain mass and endocranial volume follow different growth curves.