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Title
LB1's virtual endocast, microcephaly, and hominin brain evolution
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Falk, Dean
Hildebolt, Charles
Smith, Kirk
Sutikna, Thomas
Jatmiko,
Wayhu Saptomo, E
Prior, Fred
Publication Date
2009
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
Earlier observations of the virtual endocast of LB1, the type specimen for 'Homo floresiensis', are reviewed, extended, and interpreted. Seven derived features of LB1's cerebral cortex are detailed: a caudallypositioned occipital lobe, lack of a rostrally-located lunate sulcus, a caudally-expanded temporal lobe, advanced morphology of the lateral prefrontal cortex, shape of the rostral prefrontal cortex, enlarged gyri in the frontopolar region, and an expanded orbitofrontal cortex. These features indicate that LB1's brain was globally reorganized despite its ape-sized cranial capacity (417 cm³). Neurological reorganization may thus form the basis for the cognitive abilities attributed to 'H. floresiensis'. Because of its tiny cranial capacity, some workers think that LB1 represents a 'Homo sapiens' individual that was afflicted with microcephaly, or some other pathology, rather than a new species of hominin. We respond to concerns about our earlier study of microcephalics compared with normal individuals, and reaffirm that LB1 did not suffer from this pathology. The intense controversy about LB1 reflects an older continuing dispute about the relative evolutionary importance of brain size versus neurological reorganization. LB1 may help resolve this debate and illuminate constraints that governed hominin brain evolution.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Journal of Human Evolution, 57(5), p. 597-607
Publisher
Academic Press
Place of Publication
United Kingdom
ISSN
1095-8606
0047-2484
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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