Vocal learning: Beyond the continuum

by Pedro Tiago Martins, Cedric Boeckx Vocal learning is the ability to modify vocal output on the basis of experience. Traditionally, species have been classified as either displaying or lacking this ability. A recent proposal, the vocal learning continuum, recognizes the need to have a more nuanced view of this phenotype and abandon the yes–no dichotomy. However, it also limits vocal learning to production of novel calls through imitation, moreover subserved by a forebrain-to-phonatory-muscles circuit. We discuss its limitations regarding the characterization of vocal learning across species and argue for a more permissive vi ew.
Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: research