Metabolic acceleration and the evolution of human brain size and life history Journal Article


Authors: Pontzer, H; Brown, M. H.; Raichlen, D. A.; Dunsworth, H; Hare, B; Walker, K; Luke, A; Dugas, L. R.; Durazo-Arvizu, R; Schoeller, D; Plange-Rhule, J; Bovet, P; Forrester, T. E.; Lambert, E. V.; Thompson, M. E.; Shumaker, R. W.; Ross, S. R.
Article Title: Metabolic acceleration and the evolution of human brain size and life history
Abstract: Humans are distinguished from the other living apes in having larger brains and an unusual life history that combines high reproductive output with slow childhood growth and exceptional longevity. This suite of derived traits suggests major changes in energy expenditure and allocation in the human lineage, but direct measures of human and ape metabolism are needed to compare evolved energy strategies among hominoids. Here we used doubly labelled water measurements of total energy expenditure (TEE; kcal day(-1)) in humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans to test the hypothesis that the human lineage has experienced an acceleration in metabolic rate, providing energy for larger brains and faster reproduction without sacrificing maintenance and longevity. In multivariate regressions including body size and physical activity, human TEE exceeded that of chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas and orangutans by approximately 400, 635 and 820 kcal day(-1), respectively, readily accommodating the cost of humans' greater brain size and reproductive output. Much of the increase in TEE is attributable to humans' greater basal metabolic rate (kcal day(-1)), indicating increased organ metabolic activity. Humans also had the greatest body fat percentage. An increased metabolic rate, along with changes in energy allocation, was crucial in the evolution of human brain size and life history.
Journal Title: Nature
Volume: 533
Issue: 7603
ISSN: 1476-4687; 0028-0836
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: England
Date Published: 2016
Start Page: 390
End Page: 392
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20160714; GR: R01 DK080763/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01DK080763/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States; JID: 0410462; NIHMS768272; OID: NLM: NIHMS768272 [Available on 11/19/16]; OID: NLM: PMC4942851 [Available on 11/19/16]; PMCR: 2016/11/19 00:00; 2016/01/04 [received]; 2016/03/11 [accepted]; 2016/05/04 [aheadofprint]; epublish