High Encephalization in a Fossil Rorqual Illuminates Baleen Whale Brain Evolution

• Published in: Brain, Behavior and Evolution
• Main Authors: Bisconti, Michelangelo, Daniello, Riccardo, Damarco, Piero, Tartarelli, Giandonato, Pavia, Marco, Carnevale, Giorgio
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: S. Karger AG 2021
• Subjects: baleen whale; baleen whales
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000519852; https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/519852

Baleen whales are considered underencephalized mammals due to their reduced brain size with respect to their body size (encephalization quotient [EQ] << 1). Despite their low EQ, mysticetes exhibit complex behavioral patterns in terms of motor abilities, vocal repertoire, and cultu...