The Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis is based on the claim that large brains are linked to large social groups in primates (with 190-448 species, depending on the classification) and lizards, however, critics argue that food availability is a limiting factor for brain size and social group size, and that there are small-brained primates in large groups.
The claim that large brains are linked to large social groups in primates and cetaceans, on which the Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis is based, is criticized by a number of researchers for overlooking the availability of food as a common limiting factor for brain size and social group size. Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 6,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. Class: Mammalia Class: Reptilia 
