Quantitative Biometry of Body and Brain in the Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) and African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus): Encephalization Quotient Implication
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Relationships between the brain and body weights were quantitatively examined in two important species African rodents to determine how accurate to estimate the former from the latter, and also the level of their intelligence using encephalization quotient (EQ). Twenty five animals, made up of 13 grasscutters (6 males and 7 females) and 12 African giant rats (6 males and 6 females) in each case were weighed and measured using a standard quantitative morphometric method. The results indicated that, for many of the behavioural repertoires of the grasscutter (GRC) and African giant rat (AGR), there were similarities in the gross features of their brains. The brain weight of the GRC was almost twice larger than that of the AGR (P < 0.0001), and significantly correlated positively with its body weight (r = 0.65, P < 0.01), whereas, the brain of the AGR correlated significantly with its EQ (r = 0.77, P < 0.003) and negatively with its body weight (r = -0.05). The mean EQ of the GRC (0.40) was significantly higher than that of AGR (0.19) (P < 0. 01). Also, the males mean EQ in the GRCs and females EQ in the AGRs were higher than their females or males counterparts, respectively. In conclusion, brain weight may be estimated accurately from body mass in the GRC. The GRC has a higher intelligence than the AGR, but both species have EQ values below average intelligence.
Source: Research in neuroscience
Authors: O. Byanet, T. Dzenda
Language: English
Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W163998915