Results suggest brain co-evolved with manual dexterity, say scientists, with humans by no means the outlier
Big hands might mean big feet, but it seems long thumbs are linked to large brains – at least in primates.
Researchers say the results suggest the brain co-evolved with manual dexterity in such mammals.
“We imagine an evolutionary scenario in which a primate or human has become more intelligent, and with that comes the ability to think about action planning, think about what you are doing with your hands, and realise that actually you are more efficient at doing it one way or another,” said Dr Joanna Baker, lead author of the research from the University of Reading.
“And those that have longer thumbs or more ability to manipulate the objects in the way that the mind can see were likely to be more successful.”
