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Evolution of vocal patterns: tuning hindbrain circuits during species divergence
Charlotte L Barkan1, Erik Zornik2, Darcy B Kelley3,4
1Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|December 25, 2016
Summary
Neural circuits in frogs reveal how serotonin and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in the DTAM nucleus drive species-specific courtship calls, explaining evolutionary divergence in vocalizations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Bioacoustics
Background:
- Male frog advertisement calls are crucial for species recognition and mate choice.
- Closely related *Xenopus* species exhibit distinct courtship call patterns, suggesting underlying neural divergence.
- Previous research in *Xenopus laevis* identified fictive calling in response to serotonin using isolated brain preparations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms responsible for the evolution of divergent frog courtship calls.
- To compare the effects of serotonin on fictive calling across three related *Xenopus* species.
- To identify the role of the DTAM nucleus in generating species-specific call parameters.
Main Methods:
- Used isolated brain preparations from *Xenopus laevis*, *X. petersii*, and *X. victorianus*.
- Administered serotonin to evoke fictive calling and recorded neural activity.
- Utilized N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists to probe receptor involvement.
- Performed dissections to isolate the DTAM nucleus and assess its intrinsic properties.
Main Results:
- Serotonin successfully evoked fictive calling in *X. petersii* and *X. victorianus*, similar to *X. laevis*.
- A N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent local field potential wave in the DTAM nucleus accompanied fictive fast trills.
- DTAM wave duration and period strongly correlated with species-specific call duration and period.
- Isolation of the DTAM nucleus maintained species-typical wave durations and periods.
Conclusions:
- Intrinsic properties of the DTAM nucleus are likely responsible for the evolutionary divergence of fast trill call patterns in these *Xenopus* species.
- Serotonin and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor signaling within the DTAM play a critical role in generating species-specific vocalizations.
- This study provides a framework for understanding the neural basis of evolving motor patterns in closely related species.
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