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Phaniraj N, Brügger RK, Burkart JM. Marmosets mutually compensate for differences in rhythms when coordinating vigilance. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012104. [PMID: 38748738 PMCID: PMC11132515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Synchronization is widespread in animals, and studies have often emphasized how this seemingly complex phenomenon can emerge from very simple rules. However, the amount of flexibility and control that animals might have over synchronization properties, such as the strength of coupling, remains underexplored. Here, we studied how pairs of marmoset monkeys coordinated vigilance while feeding. By modeling them as coupled oscillators, we noted that (1) individual marmosets do not show perfect periodicity in vigilance behaviors, (2) nevertheless, marmoset pairs started to take turns being vigilant over time, a case of anti-phase synchrony, (3) marmosets could couple flexibly; the coupling strength varied with every new joint feeding bout, and (4) marmosets could control the coupling strength; dyads showed increased coupling if they began in a more desynchronized state. Such flexibility and control over synchronization require more than simple interaction rules. Minimally, animals must estimate the current degree of asynchrony and adjust their behavior accordingly. Moreover, the fact that each marmoset is inherently non-periodic adds to the cognitive demand. Overall, our study provides a mathematical framework to investigate the cognitive demands involved in coordinating behaviors in animals, regardless of whether individual behaviors are rhythmic or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Phaniraj
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel K. Brügger
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Judith M. Burkart
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Seki Y. Examining the capability for rhythmic synchronization and music production in vocal learning parrot species. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1271552. [PMID: 38023035 PMCID: PMC10646413 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1271552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vocal production learning and beat perception and synchronization (BPS) share some common characteristics, which makes the vocal learning and rhythmic synchronization hypothesis (VLH) a reasonable explanation for the evolution of the capability for rhythmic synchronization. However, even in vocal learners, it is rare to see non-human animals demonstrate BPS to human music. Therefore, the first objective of this article is to propose some possible reasons why we do not see BPS in budgerigars, an excellent vocal learning species, while presenting some of my own findings. The second objective of this article is to propose a seamless bridge to connect the capability for vocal learning and BPS in locomotion. For this purpose, I present my own findings, wherein cockatiels spontaneously sang in synchrony with a melody of human music. This behavior can be considered a vocal version of BPS. Therefore, it can establish a connection between these two capabilities. This article agrees with the possibility that some mechanisms other than the vocal learning system may enable BPS, contrary to the original idea of VLH. Nevertheless, it is still reasonable to connect the capability for vocal learning and that for BPS. At the very least, the capability for vocal learning may contribute to the evolution of BPS. From these arguments, this article also proposes a scenario which includes vocalizing in synchrony as a driving force for the evolution of BPS and the capability for music production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Seki
- Department of Psychology, Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan
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Kishimoto R, Seki Y. Response timing of budgerigars in a turn-taking task under operant conditioning. Behav Processes 2022; 198:104638. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Bouwer FL, Nityananda V, Rouse AA, ten Cate C. Rhythmic abilities in humans and non-human animals: a review and recommendations from a methodological perspective. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200335. [PMID: 34420380 PMCID: PMC8380979 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhythmic behaviour is ubiquitous in both human and non-human animals, but it is unclear whether the cognitive mechanisms underlying the specific rhythmic behaviours observed in different species are related. Laboratory experiments combined with highly controlled stimuli and tasks can be very effective in probing the cognitive architecture underlying rhythmic abilities. Rhythmic abilities have been examined in the laboratory with explicit and implicit perception tasks, and with production tasks, such as sensorimotor synchronization, with stimuli ranging from isochronous sequences of artificial sounds to human music. Here, we provide an overview of experimental findings on rhythmic abilities in human and non-human animals, while critically considering the wide variety of paradigms used. We identify several gaps in what is known about rhythmic abilities. Many bird species have been tested on rhythm perception, but research on rhythm production abilities in the same birds is lacking. By contrast, research in mammals has primarily focused on rhythm production rather than perception. Many experiments also do not differentiate between possible components of rhythmic abilities, such as processing of single temporal intervals, rhythmic patterns, a regular beat or hierarchical metrical structures. For future research, we suggest a careful choice of paradigm to aid cross-species comparisons, and a critical consideration of the multifaceted abilities that underlie rhythmic behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'Synchrony and rhythm interaction: from the brain to behavioural ecology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur L. Bouwer
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC), University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94242, 1090 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 15900, 1001 NK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivek Nityananda
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Andrew A. Rouse
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Carel ten Cate
- Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, PO Box 9505, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Seki Y. Cockatiels sing human music in synchrony with a playback of the melody. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256613. [PMID: 34478436 PMCID: PMC8415583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known among aviculturists that cockatiels imitate human music with their whistle-like vocal sounds. The present study examined whether cockatiels are also able to sing “in unison”, or, line up their vocalizations with a musical melody so that they occur at the same time. Three hand-raised cockatiels were exposed to a musical melody of human whistling produced by an experimenter. All the birds learned to sing the melody. Then, two out of these three birds spontaneously joined in singing during an ongoing melody, so that the singing by the bird and the whistling by the human were nearly perfectly synchronous. Further experiments revealed that the birds actively adjusted their vocal timing to playback of a recording of the same melody. This means cockatiels have a remarkable ability for flexible vocal control similar to what is seen in human singing. The proximate/ultimate factors for this behavior and implications for musicality in humans are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Seki
- Department of Psychology, Aichi University, Toyohashi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Tomyta K, Seki Y. Effects of motor style on timing control and EEG waveforms in self-paced and synchronization tapping tasks. Neurosci Lett 2020; 739:135410. [PMID: 33091439 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of tapping style on motor performance and neural activity in self-paced and synchronization tapping tasks in three conditions (drum sticking [DS], one-finger tapping [1FT], and four-finger tapping [4FT]). In the synchronization task, participants tapped in synchrony with a metronomic sound. No significant differences were detected in the accuracy of timing control among the tapping styles, whereas larger potentials on EEG waveforms before tap onset were found in 4FT than in DS or 1FT; these may be readiness potentials for the motor commands required to control multiple fingers. As expected, tap intervals were more stable under the synchronization condition than under the selfpaced condition, but no difference was detected in the neural activity evoked before tap onset. Larger neural potentials observed in the early stage after tap onset in DS might be involved in the sensory feedback associated with tool use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Tomyta
- Department of Psychology, Aichi University, 1-1 Machihata-cho, Toyohashi, 4418522, Japan; Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 4648601, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Seki
- Department of Psychology, Aichi University, 1-1 Machihata-cho, Toyohashi, 4418522, Japan.
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The Firing of Theta State-Related Septal Cholinergic Neurons Disrupt Hippocampal Ripple Oscillations via Muscarinic Receptors. J Neurosci 2020; 40:3591-3603. [PMID: 32265261 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1568-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The septo-hippocampal cholinergic system is critical for hippocampal learning and memory. However, a quantitative description of the in vivo firing patterns and physiological function of medial septal (MS) cholinergic neurons is still missing. In this study, we combined optogenetics with multichannel in vivo recording and recorded MS cholinergic neuron firings in freely behaving male mice for 5.5-72 h. We found that their firing activities were highly correlated with hippocampal theta states. MS cholinergic neurons were highly active during theta-dominant epochs, such as active exploration and rapid eye movement sleep, but almost silent during non-theta epochs, such as slow-wave sleep (SWS). Interestingly, optogenetic activation of these MS cholinergic neurons during SWS suppressed CA1 ripple oscillations. This suppression could be rescued by muscarinic M2 or M4 receptor antagonists. These results suggest the following important physiological function of MS cholinergic neurons: maintaining high hippocampal acetylcholine level by persistent firing during theta epochs, consequently suppressing ripples and allowing theta oscillations to dominate.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The major source of acetylcholine in the hippocampus comes from the medial septum. Early experiments found that lesions to the MS result in the disappearance of hippocampal theta oscillation, which leads to speculation that the septo-hippocampal cholinergic projection contributing to theta oscillation. In this article, by long-term recording of MS cholinergic neurons, we found that they show a theta state-related firing pattern. However, optogenetically activating these neurons shows little effect on theta rhythm in the hippocampus. Instead, we found that activating MS cholinergic neurons during slow-wave sleep could suppress hippocampal ripple oscillations. This suppression is mediated by muscarinic M2 and M4 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ravignani
- Artificial Intelligence Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Department, Sealcentre Pieterburen, Pieterburen, The Netherlands
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