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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Published on: March 18, 2013

Vocal learning-associated convergent evolution in mammalian proteins and regulatory elements.

Morgan E Wirthlin^1,2, Tobias A Schmid³, Julie E Elie^3,4

¹Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|February 29, 2024

Summary

Convergent evolution of vocal learning in mammals may involve the loss of regulatory elements in the motor cortex. This study identified specific enhancers linked to vocal learning, with lower activity in learners.

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2025

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Published on: March 18, 2013

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Neuroscience
Genomics

Background:

Vocal learning, the ability to learn and produce novel sounds, has evolved independently multiple times in vertebrates.
Understanding the genetic underpinnings of vocal learning in mammals is crucial for insights into its evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify brain genomic elements associated with mammalian vocal learning.
To investigate the role of cis-regulatory elements in the evolution of vocal learning.

Main Methods:

Integrated genomic, anatomical, and neurophysiological data from the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).
Analyzed genomes of 215 placental mammals.
Used machine learning on motor cortex open chromatin data to identify enhancers.

Main Results:

Identified proteins evolving more slowly in vocal learners.
Discovered a vocal motor cortical region in the Egyptian fruit bat.
Found 50 enhancers robustly associated with vocal learning, showing lower activity in vocal learners.

Conclusions:

Convergent losses of motor cortex regulatory elements are implicated in mammalian vocal learning evolution.
Specific enhancers in the motor cortex are key genomic elements associated with vocal learning.