Correct option is C
Correct Answer:
(c) Brain regions can evolve independently in response to specific ecological or behavioural demands, rather than all regions scaling uniformly with overall brain size.
Explanation::
The most accurate statement is (c) because vertebrate brain evolution follows the principle of mosaic evolution. This means that different brain regions can change in size and complexity independently depending on specific ecological challenges or behavioural requirements (such as sensory specialization, social complexity, or motor demands), rather than all regions enlarging proportionally with total brain size.
Information Booster:
· Mosaic brain evolution contrasts with concerted evolution, where all regions scale uniformly.
· Ecological pressures like foraging strategy, navigation, and sensory reliance strongly influence specific brain regions.
· Social complexity has been linked to enlargement of certain forebrain areas, especially in primates and birds.
· Comparative neuroanatomy shows large variation in relative brain-region sizes across vertebrate taxa.
Additional Knowledge:
(a) Incorrect because neocortex size in primates is strongly influenced by social and ecological pressures, not just absolute brain size (e.g., social brain hypothesis).
(b) Incorrect because although larger brains are often associated with slower life histories, there are notable exceptions, especially in birds.
(d) Incorrect because the cerebellum has shown significant evolutionary changes, particularly in birds and mammals, reflecting advances in motor control, cognition, and learning.
