Daniel sol

Ever since Darwin, scientists have suspected that the intelligence of an animal has something to do with the size of its brain. The encephalisation theory, for example, argues that the "extra" brain tissue of a larger brain allows more neurons to be devoted to cognitive tasks. However, until now there was no scientific evidence to support this theory, partly owing to the difficulties of quantifying neuron numbers for a large number of species.

Humans, crocodiles and crows have something in common. They have all spread to every corner of the planet. If we travel from Barcelona to Australia, in spite of the enormous distance, we will find groups of animals that also live in our home, we will see for example owls, swallows, turkeys, crows and certainly humans, all these animals are so far away because they have been able to colonise the planet almost entirely. But what is it that they have been able to do so while other animal groups have been reduced to small areas of the planet?

Having a larger brain has a direct impact on bee learning, a theory already demonstrated in birds and primates, which is highlighted in a study published in the Royal Society Open Science, led by a scientific team from CREAF and the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC).