Re: Predators prefer to hunt small brained prey

[Jura <pristichampsus@yahoo.com>]

http://www.liv.ac.uk/newsroom/press_releases/2006/08/predator_study.htm

"The study, carried out by Dr Susanne Shultz, from the
School of Biological Sciences, focused on predators
from Africa and South America such as the jaguar,
chimpanzee, leopard and puma. Dr Shultz found that
prey with a small brain such as small antelope,
mongooses and the red river hog were more susceptible
to attacks by predators compared with larger-brained
prey. The report showed a strong correlation between
the brain size of the prey and the predatory bias
towards it."
 
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I think what we have here is a prime example of a case
where correlation does not equal causation.

Given the examples cited in the report, I'd wager that
the degree of group living probably plays a larger
role in prey selection than brain size would. Chimps
might get attacked less often because there are
numerous members willing to flog the predator with
sticks and stones during the predation attempt.
Antelope (and red   river hogs) usually just run away
when faced with the same situation.

Jason

"I am impressed by the fact that we know less about many modern [reptile] types 
than we do of many fossil groups." - Alfred S. Romer

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