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Functional and evolutionary parallels between birdsong and human musicality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2021

Kate T. Snyder Open the ORCID record for Kate T. Snyder [Opens in a new window]  and
Nicole Creanza Open the ORCID record for Nicole Creanza [Opens in a new window]
Kate T. Snyder
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37240, USA. [email protected]@vanderbilt.educreanzalab.com
Nicole Creanza
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37240, USA. [email protected]@vanderbilt.educreanzalab.com
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Abstract

Here, we compare birdsong and human musicality using insights from songbird neuroethology and evolution. For example, neural recordings during songbird duetting and other coordinated vocal behaviors could inform mechanistic hypotheses regarding human brain function during music-making. Furthermore, considering songbird evolution as a model system suggests that selection favoring certain culturally transmitted behaviors can indirectly select for associated underlying neural functions.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 44 , 2021 , e112
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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