In:
PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 20, No. 9 ( 2022-9-20), p. e3001751-
Abstract:
Vocal learning is thought to have evolved in 3 orders of birds (songbirds, parrots, and hummingbirds), with each showing similar brain regions that have comparable gene expression specializations relative to the surrounding forebrain motor circuitry. Here, we searched for signatures of these same gene expression specializations in previously uncharacterized brains of 7 assumed vocal non-learning bird lineages across the early branches of the avian family tree. Our findings using a conserved marker for the song system found little evidence of specializations in these taxa, except for woodpeckers. Instead, woodpeckers possessed forebrain regions that were anatomically similar to the pallial song nuclei of vocal learning birds. Field studies of free-living downy woodpeckers revealed that these brain nuclei showed increased expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) when males produce their iconic drum displays, the elaborate bill-hammering behavior that individuals use to compete for territories, much like birdsong. However, these specialized areas did not show increased IEG expression with vocalization or flight. We further confirmed that other woodpecker species contain these brain nuclei, suggesting that these brain regions are a common feature of the woodpecker brain. We therefore hypothesize that ancient forebrain nuclei for refined motor control may have given rise to not only the song control systems of vocal learning birds, but also the drumming system of woodpeckers.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1545-7885
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.g008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pbio.3001751.s012
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2126773-X
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