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Article: Genome size is inversely correlated with relative brain size in parrots and cockatoos.(Report)
- Article from:
- Genome
- Article date:
- March 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 NRC Research Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
Recent research has revealed that the cognitive abilities of birds far exceed traditional expectations (e.g., Lefebvre et al. 2004; Sol and Price 2008). It has been shown, for instance, that some species of birds can use and even construct simple tools, are able to learn and recall detailed information, have long-term and episodic memories on par with those of some primates, and may be capable of self-recognition (e.g., Weir et al. 2002; Fagot and Cook 2006; Hunt et al. 2008; Prior et al. 2008). These behavioural discoveries have been paralleled by a new appreciation for the neural complexity displayed in the avian brain, which may surpass that of ...