Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior

Perineuronal nets in motor circuitry regulate the performance of learned vocalizations in songbirds

This study shows that perineuronal nets (PNNs) in motor circuits of songbirds are causally linked to the performance of learned vocalizations, with PNN degradation impairing song consistency.

Vocal recognition of partners by female prairie voles

This study shows prairie voles can recognize individual vocalizations of their mates, with acoustic variation across individuals allowing identification above chance.

Familiarity of an environment prevents song suppression in isolated zebra finches

This study finds that social isolation in a familiar environment does not suppress singing in zebra finches, unlike isolation in an unfamiliar environment.

Canaries differentially modulate solo and overlapping singing during the transition to the breeding season

This study examines how solo and overlapping songs in canaries change during the transition to the breeding season, finding distinct patterns in their frequency and distribution.

Partially observable Markov models inferred using statistical tests reveal context-dependent syllable transitions in Bengalese finch songs

This study uses statistical tests to infer partially observable Markov models of syllable transitions in Bengalese finch songs, showing that auditory feedback is crucial for context-dependent transitions.

Early auditory and adult mating experiences interact with singer identity to shape neural responses to song in female zebra finches

The paper examines how early auditory and adult mating experiences influence neural responses to song in female zebra finches, revealing distinct patterns of neural activity based on rearing conditions.

A complex acoustical environment during development enhances auditory perception and coding efficiency in the zebra finch

This study shows that exposure to a complex acoustical environment during development improves auditory perception and coding efficiency in zebra finches.

An improved isochronous pulse after lentiviral knock-down of STEP in Area X of juvenile zebra finches

This study knocks down STEP in Area X of juvenile zebra finches during song learning and finds it does not impair song learning, unlike other genes, and improves song rhythmicity.

Male rats emit aversive 44-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations during prolonged Pavlovian fear conditioning

The paper identifies a new type of aversive ultrasonic vocalization in male rats during prolonged fear conditioning and describes its characteristics and behavioral associations.

From silence to song: Testosterone triggers extensive transcriptional changes in the female canary HVC

This study shows testosterone induces extensive transcriptional changes in the female canary's HVC, with 9,913 genes differentially expressed over two weeks, linked to neuronal and cellular processes.

Expression and regulation of SETBP1 in the song system of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) during singing

This study examines SETBP1 expression and regulation in zebra finch brain regions associated with singing, finding higher expression in solo singing and a regulatory role on FoxP2.

Female song elicits increased vocal display effort in both sexes of Alston's singing mouse

This study shows that female song in Alston's singing mice increases vocal display effort in both sexes, highlighting the social context of song in communication.

Unique cortical and subcortical activation patterns for different conspecific calls in marmosets

The paper shows different marmoset vocalizations activate distinct neural networks in the brain, suggesting specific processing for each call type.

Evolution of vocal production learning in parrots

This study surveys video footage to assess vocal production learning (VPL) across parrot species, finding evidence of VPL in 136 of 163 surveyed species and identifying socio-ecological factors associated with its evolution.

Weight Transfer in the Reinforcement Learning Model of Songbird Acquisition

This paper presents a computational model of songbird vocal learning that combines reinforcement learning and Hebbian plasticity to simulate song acquisition and weight transfer in neural circuits.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Blue Jay kent comparisons at spectrogram level reveal differences

The paper compares spectrograms of Blue Jay and Ivory-billed Woodpecker kent calls to show they are distinct.

Robust encoding of acoustic identity in alpaca hums - a basis for individual recognition

The paper examines if alpaca hums encode individual identity through acoustic features and finds spectro-temporal features provide more accurate classification than MFCC.

A Cortical Site that Encodes Vocal Expression and Reception

The paper identifies the posterior insula as a brain region encoding vocal expression and reception in socially interacting mice, showing context-dependent activity patterns.

Enhancing cortico-motoneuronal projections for vocalization in mice

This study shows that reducing PLXNA1 in mouse motor cortex layer 5 neurons increases projections to vocal motor neurons and expands vocal abilities.

Animal acoustic communication maintains a universal optimum rhythm

The paper analyzes acoustic communication rhythms across 98 species, finding that vocalization rhythms are conserved around a 3Hz optimum, suggesting a universal neural constraint.

Canary Mating Season Songs Move Between Order and Disorder

This study examines how canary songs change syntactically and acoustically during the mating season, revealing non-random trends in order and disorder across individuals.

Millisecond-scale motor coding precedes sensorimotor learning in songbirds

This study shows that millisecond-scale spike timing codes for vocal acoustics exist throughout songbird vocal development, contradicting the hypothesis that rate-based coding transitions to timing-based coding during learning.

Representing the dynamics of natural marmoset vocal behaviors in frontal cortex

The paper analyzes neural activity in marmoset frontal cortex during natural vocal behaviors using a GLM model, finding distributed functional organization rather than distinct subfield specialization.

Selective expansion of motor cortical projections in the evolution of vocal novelty

The paper identifies a 200% expansion of orofacial motor cortical projections to auditory and midbrain regions in singing mice, suggesting a mechanism for vocal behavior evolution.

Disinhibition enables vocal repertoire expansion after a critical period

This study shows that reducing inhibition in a premotor area of adult zebra finches can restore vocal plasticity and allow new syllables to be added to their song after the critical period.

Adult male Lar gibbon sings the female great-call: A case study of inter-sex song production in a non-human primate

This study reports an adult male gibbon producing female-specific great-calls, suggesting reduced testosterone levels may allow for cross-sex song production in gibbons.

Female Tungara Frogs Discriminate against the Call of Males Infected by Chytridiomycosis

The paper shows female tungara frogs avoid mating with males infected by chytridiomycosis by discriminating their less attractive mating calls.

The use of vocal coordination in male African elephant group departures: evidence of active leadership and consensus

The paper documents coordinated vocalizations in male African elephants during group departures, suggesting active leadership and consensus among closely bonded individuals.

Congruent timing in Human, Nightingale, Parotid Wasp and Hawaiian Planthopper vocalisations

The paper compares timing entropy in human speech and courtship songs of three species, finding similar entropy maximization patterns.

Emotional Vocalizations Alter Behaviors and Neurochemical Release into the Amygdala

The paper examines how emotional vocalizations affect neurochemical release and behavior in the amygdala of mice, showing sex- and estrus-state-dependent differences in acetylcholine and dopamine release.