Subglacial cetaceans and other mathematical mysteries: a Commentary on “A quantitative test of the thermogenesis hypothesis of cetacean brain evolution, using phylogenetic comparative methods” by C. Maximino

Abstract

A recent paper published in this Journal purported to provide a quantitative test of the thermogenetic hypothesis of cetacean brain evolution. While using appropriate statistical analyses that account for phylogenetic inertia, errors in the raw data and in interpretation of the thermogenetic hypothesis raise concerns about the validity of the statistical results and the conclusions of the paper. In this commentary the errors in raw data, mathematical approaches, the lack of inclusion of certain data points and misinterpretation of the thermogenetic hypothesis are detailed. The conclusion being that the thermogenetic hypothesis has not been correctly tested by the study.

Keywords:

• cetaceans
• thermogenesis
• brain
• evolution
• cognition
• intelligence