The Machiavellian intelligence hypothesis is based on the claim that large brains are linked to large social groups in primates 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. 
