Phylogenetic tree: brains of Sus scrofa domesticus (a), Felis silvestris catus (b), Homo sapiens (c), Pan troglodytes (d), Macaca mulatta (e), Rattus norvegicus (f), Loxodontia africana (g), and Ornithorhynchus anatinus (h), cerebrum represented in red.
Numbers refer to the time elapsed since divergence in millions of years: 230 (1), 105 (2), 90 (3), 85 (4), 65 (5), 40 (6), between 4 and 12, although it's still under discussion (7).
The cerebrum is the result of what we call mosaic evolution: each species has adapted to its environment by developing some areas at the cost of others. In the class Mammalia, the telencephalon or cerebral cortex (colored in red) has a priority development. Although we associate its size with intelligence, many factors are involved: density of neurons and synapses, gyri and sulci, or the number of glial cells.
I took part in Illustraciencia's illustration contest and my piece is among the 40 selected pieces! If you like it, you can vote on the following link:
➡️ La obra que más votos consiga recibirá un certificado acreditativo ➡️ Entre todos los votantes se sortearán 5 plazas en el curso onlin
