1
|
Peterson RE, Choudhri A, Mitelut C, Tanelus A, Capo-Battaglia A, Williams AH, Schneider DM, Sanes DH. Unsupervised discovery of family specific vocal usage in the Mongolian gerbil. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.11.532197. [PMID: 39282260 PMCID: PMC11398318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.11.532197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
In nature, animal vocalizations can provide crucial information about identity, including kinship and hierarchy. However, lab-based vocal behavior is typically studied during brief interactions between animals with no prior social relationship, and under environmental conditions with limited ethological relevance. Here, we address this gap by establishing long-term acoustic recordings from Mongolian gerbil families, a core social group that uses an array of sonic and ultrasonic vocalizations. Three separate gerbil families were transferred to an enlarged environment and continuous 20-day audio recordings were obtained. Using a variational autoencoder (VAE) to quantify 583,237 vocalizations, we show that gerbils exhibit a more elaborate vocal repertoire than has been previously reported and that vocal repertoire usage differs significantly by family. By performing gaussian mixture model clustering on the VAE latent space, we show that families preferentially use characteristic sets of vocal clusters and that these usage preferences remain stable over weeks. Furthermore, gerbils displayed family-specific transitions between vocal clusters. Since gerbils live naturally as extended families in complex underground burrows that are adjacent to other families, these results suggest the presence of a vocal dialect which could be exploited by animals to represent kinship. These findings position the Mongolian gerbil as a compelling animal model to study the neural basis of vocal communication and demonstrates the potential for using unsupervised machine learning with uninterrupted acoustic recordings to gain insights into naturalistic animal behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph E Peterson
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY
- Center for Computational Neuroscience, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY
| | | | - Catalin Mitelut
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Aramis Tanelus
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY
- Center for Computational Neuroscience, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY
| | | | - Alex H Williams
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY
- Center for Computational Neuroscience, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY
| | | | - Dan H Sanes
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rose EM, Haakenson CM, Patel A, Gaind S, Shank BD, Ball GF. Song system neuroanatomy, and immediate early gene expression in a finch species with extensive male and female song. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024; 210:735-749. [PMID: 37436439 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-023-01651-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong is a relatively well-studied behavior, both due to its importance as a model for vocal production learning and as an intriguing complex social behavior. Until the last few decades, work on birdsong focused almost exclusively on males. However, it is now widely accepted that female song not only exists, but is fairly common throughout the oscine passerines. Despite this, and the large number of researchers who have begun exploring female song in the field, researchers in the lab have been slow to adopt model species with female song. Studying female song in the lab is critical for our understanding of sex-specific factors in the physiology controlling this fascinating behavior. Additionally, as a model for vocal production learning in humans, understanding the mechanistic and neuroendocrine control of female song is clearly important. In this study, we examined the red-cheeked cordon bleu (RCCB), an Estrildid finch species with extensive female song. Specifically, we found that there were no significant sex differences in circulating levels of testosterone and progesterone, nor in song production rate. There were no significant differences in cell densities in the three nuclei of the song control system we examined. Additionally, the volume of the robust nucleus of the arcopallium was not significantly different and we report the smallest sex difference in HVC yet published in a songbird. Finally, we demonstrated similar levels of motor driven immediate early gene expression in both males and females after song production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline M Rose
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Chelsea M Haakenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Aliyah Patel
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Shivika Gaind
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Gregory F Ball
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wieczorek TJ, Tchumatchenko T, Wert-Carvajal C, Eggl MF. A framework for the emergence and analysis of language in social learning agents. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7590. [PMID: 39217160 PMCID: PMC11366021 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51887-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural systems have evolved not only to solve environmental challenges through internal representations but also, under social constraints, to communicate these to conspecifics. In this work, we aim to understand the structure of these internal representations and how they may be optimized to transmit pertinent information from one individual to another. Thus, we build on previous teacher-student communication protocols to analyze the formation of individual and shared abstractions and their impact on task performance. We use reinforcement learning in grid-world mazes where a teacher network passes a message to a student to improve task performance. This framework allows us to relate environmental variables with individual and shared representations. We compress high-dimensional task information within a low-dimensional representational space to mimic natural language features. In coherence with previous results, we find that providing teacher information to the student leads to a higher task completion rate and an ability to generalize tasks it has not seen before. Further, optimizing message content to maximize student reward improves information encoding, suggesting that an accurate representation in the space of messages requires bi-directional input. These results highlight the role of language as a common representation among agents and its implications on generalization capabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias J Wieczorek
- Department of Computer Science, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tatjana Tchumatchenko
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlos Wert-Carvajal
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Maximilian F Eggl
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Z, Jia G, Zhou Q, Zhang Y, Quan Z, Chen X, Fukuda T, Huang Q, Shi Q. ARBUR, a machine learning-based analysis system for relating behaviors and ultrasonic vocalizations of rats. iScience 2024; 27:109998. [PMID: 38947508 PMCID: PMC11214285 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how different behaviors and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of rats interact can yield insights into the neural basis of social interaction. However, the behavior-vocalization interplay of rats remains elusive because of the challenges of relating the two communication media in complex social contexts. Here, we propose a machine learning-based analysis system (ARBUR) that can cluster without bias both non-step (continuous) and step USVs, hierarchically detect eight types of behavior of two freely behaving rats with high accuracy, and locate the vocal rat in 3-D space. ARBUR reveals that rats communicate via distinct USVs during different behaviors. Moreover, we show that ARBUR can indicate findings that are long neglected by former manual analysis, especially regarding the non-continuous USVs during easy-to-confuse social behaviors. This work could help mechanistically understand the behavior-vocalization interplay of rats and highlights the potential of machine learning algorithms in automatic animal behavioral and acoustic analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qijie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yulai Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuechao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Toshio Fukuda
- Institute of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Qiang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Beijing Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Moran IG, Loo YY, Louca S, Young NBA, Whibley A, Withers SJ, Salloum PM, Hall ML, Stanley MC, Cain KE. Vocal convergence and social proximity shape the calls of the most basal Passeriformes, New Zealand Wrens. Commun Biol 2024; 7:575. [PMID: 38750083 PMCID: PMC11096322 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research on avian vocal learning, we still lack a general understanding of how and when this ability evolved in birds. As the closest living relatives of the earliest Passeriformes, the New Zealand wrens (Acanthisitti) hold a key phylogenetic position for furthering our understanding of the evolution of vocal learning because they share a common ancestor with two vocal learners: oscines and parrots. However, the vocal learning abilities of New Zealand wrens remain unexplored. Here, we test for the presence of prerequisite behaviors for vocal learning in one of the two extant species of New Zealand wrens, the rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris). We detect the presence of unique individual vocal signatures and show how these signatures are shaped by social proximity, as demonstrated by group vocal signatures and strong acoustic similarities among distantly related individuals in close social proximity. Further, we reveal that rifleman calls share similar phenotypic variance ratios to those previously reported in the learned vocalizations of the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. Together these findings provide strong evidence that riflemen vocally converge, and though the mechanism still remains to be determined, they may also suggest that this vocal convergence is the result of rudimentary vocal learning abilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines G Moran
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand.
| | - Yen Yi Loo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Stilianos Louca
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 97403-1210, OR, USA
| | - Nick B A Young
- Centre for eResearch, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Sarah J Withers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Priscila M Salloum
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9016, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Michelle L Hall
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Margaret C Stanley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Kristal E Cain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, Aotearoa New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fricker BA, Kelly AM. From grouping and cooperation to menstruation: Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) are an emerging mammalian model for sociality and beyond. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105462. [PMID: 38000170 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
While spiny mice are primarily used as a model for Type II diabetes and for studying complex tissue regeneration, they are also an emerging model for a variety of studies examining hormones, behavior, and the brain. We began studying the spiny mouse to take advantage of their highly gregarious phenotype to examine how the brain facilitates large group-living. However, this unique rodent can be readily bred and maintained in the lab and can be used to ask a wide variety of scientific questions. In this brief communication we provide an overview of studies that have used spiny mice for exploring physiology and behavior. Additionally, we describe how the spiny mouse can serve as a useful model for researchers interested in studying precocial development, menstruation, cooperation, and various grouping behaviors. With increasingly available technological advancements for non-traditional organisms, spiny mice are well-positioned to become a valuable organism in the behavioral neuroscience community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon A Fricker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
| | - Aubrey M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Smeele SQ, Tyndel SA, Aplin LM, McElreath MB. Multilevel Bayesian analysis of monk parakeet contact calls shows dialects between European cities. Behav Ecol 2024; 35:arad093. [PMID: 38193012 PMCID: PMC10773303 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arad093] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Geographic differences in vocalizations provide strong evidence for animal culture, with patterns likely arising from generations of social learning and transmission. Most studies on the evolution of avian vocal variation have predominantly focused on fixed repertoire, territorial song in passerine birds. The study of vocal communication in open-ended learners and in contexts where vocalizations serve other functions is therefore necessary for a more comprehensive understanding of vocal dialect evolution. Parrots are open-ended vocal production learners that use vocalizations for social contact and coordination. Geographic variation in parrot vocalizations typically take the form of either distinct regional variations known as dialects or graded variation based on geographic distance known as clinal variation. In this study, we recorded monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) across multiple spatial scales (i.e., parks and cities) in their European invasive range. We then compared calls using a multilevel Bayesian model and sensitivity analysis, with this novel approach allowing us to explicitly compare vocalizations at multiple spatial scales. We found support for founder effects and/or cultural drift at the city level, consistent with passive cultural processes leading to large-scale dialect differences. We did not find a strong signal for dialect or clinal differences between parks within cities, suggesting that birds did not actively converge on a group level signal, as expected under the group membership hypothesis. We demonstrate the robustness of our findings and offer an explanation that unifies the results of prior monk parakeet vocalization studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Q Smeele
- Cognitive & Cultural Ecology Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Pl. 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Stephen A Tyndel
- Cognitive & Cultural Ecology Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Lucy M Aplin
- Cognitive & Cultural Ecology Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, 134 Linnaeus Way, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Science, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mary Brooke McElreath
- Cognitive & Cultural Ecology Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Pl. 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
An R, Lu C, Wang C, Chang L, Huang J, Jiang F, Xu TL, Gong N. Developmental Patterns and Gender Differences of Vocal Production in Marmoset Monkeys. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:133-138. [PMID: 37914957 PMCID: PMC10774232 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01137-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin An
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chaocheng Lu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Liangtang Chang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Junfeng Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Fan Jiang
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China.
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Neng Gong
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Phaniraj N, Wierucka K, Zürcher Y, Burkart JM. Who is calling? Optimizing source identification from marmoset vocalizations with hierarchical machine learning classifiers. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230399. [PMID: 37848054 PMCID: PMC10581777 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
With their highly social nature and complex vocal communication system, marmosets are important models for comparative studies of vocal communication and, eventually, language evolution. However, our knowledge about marmoset vocalizations predominantly originates from playback studies or vocal interactions between dyads, and there is a need to move towards studying group-level communication dynamics. Efficient source identification from marmoset vocalizations is essential for this challenge, and machine learning algorithms (MLAs) can aid it. Here we built a pipeline capable of plentiful feature extraction, meaningful feature selection, and supervised classification of vocalizations of up to 18 marmosets. We optimized the classifier by building a hierarchical MLA that first learned to determine the sex of the source, narrowed down the possible source individuals based on their sex and then determined the source identity. We were able to correctly identify the source individual with high precisions (87.21%-94.42%, depending on call type, and up to 97.79% after the removal of twins from the dataset). We also examine the robustness of identification across varying sample sizes. Our pipeline is a promising tool not only for source identification from marmoset vocalizations but also for analysing vocalizations of other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Phaniraj
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology (IEA), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Kaja Wierucka
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology (IEA), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yvonne Zürcher
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology (IEA), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Judith M. Burkart
- Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology (IEA), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE), University of Zurich, Affolternstrasse 56, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Anderson KL, Colón L, Doolittle V, Rosario Martinez R, Uraga J, Whitney O. Context-dependent activation of a social behavior brain network during learned vocal production. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1785-1797. [PMID: 37615758 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02693-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural activation in brain regions for vocal control is social context dependent. This context-dependent brain activation reflects social context-appropriate vocal behavior but has unresolved mechanisms. Studies of non-vocal social behaviors in multiple organisms suggest a functional role for several evolutionarily conserved and highly interconnected brain regions. Here, we use neural activity-dependent gene expression to evaluate the functional connectivity of this social behavior network within zebra finches in non-social and social singing contexts. We found that activity in one social behavior network region, the medial preoptic area (POM), was strongly associated with the amount of non-social undirected singing in zebra finches. In addition, in all regions of the social behavior network and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a higher percentage of EGR1 expression was observed during a social female-directed singing context compared to a non-social undirected singing context. Furthermore, we observed distinct patterns of significantly correlated activity between regions of the social behavior network during non-social undirected and social female-directed singing. Our results suggest that non-social vs. social contexts differentially activate this social behavior network and PVN. Moreover, neuronal activity within this social behavior network, PVN, and POM may alter context-appropriate vocal production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Anderson
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate Center, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lionel Colón
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Violet Doolittle
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Joseph Uraga
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Osceola Whitney
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Graduate Center, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hyacinthe C, Attia J, Schutz E, Lego L, Casane D, Rétaux S. Acoustic signatures in Mexican cavefish populations inhabiting different caves. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289574. [PMID: 37535576 PMCID: PMC10399770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex patterns of acoustic communication exist throughout the animal kingdom, including underwater. The river-dwelling and the Pachón cave-adapted morphotypes of the fish Astyanax mexicanus are soniferous and share a repertoire of sounds. Their function and significance is mostly unknown. Here, we explored whether and how sounds produced by blind cavefishes inhabiting different Mexican caves may vary. We compared "Clicks" and "Serial Clicks" produced by cavefish in six different caves distributed in three mountain ranges in Mexico. We also sampled laboratory-bred cavefish lines originating from four of these caves. Sounds were extracted and analyzed using both a manual method and a machine learning-based automation tool developed in-house. Multi-parametric analyses suggest wild cave-specific acoustic signatures, or "accents". An acoustic code also existed in laboratory cavefish lines, suggesting a genetic basis for the evolution of this trait. The variations in acoustic parameters between caves of origin did not seem related to fish phenotypes, phylogeography or ecological conditions. We propose that the evolution of such acoustic signatures would progressively lead to the differentiation of local accents that may prevent interbreeding and thus contribute to speciation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carole Hyacinthe
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Saclay, France
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Blavatnik Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Joël Attia
- Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, CRNL, CNRS and Université de St Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Elisa Schutz
- Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, CRNL, CNRS and Université de St Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Lény Lego
- Equipe de Neuro-Ethologie Sensorielle, CRNL, CNRS and Université de St Etienne, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Didier Casane
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, IRD, UMR Évolution, Génomes, Comportement et Écologie, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université Paris Cité, UFR Sciences du Vivant, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Rétaux
- Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Saclay, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Goodman JR, Caines A, Foley RA. Shibboleth: An agent-based model of signalling mimicry. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289333. [PMID: 37523380 PMCID: PMC10389733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mimicry is an essential strategy for exploiting competitors in competitive co-evolutionary relationships. Protection against mimicry may, furthermore, be a driving force in human linguistic diversity: the potential harm caused by failing to detect mimicked group-identity signals may select for high sensitivity to mimicry of honest group members. Here we describe the results of five agent-based models that simulate multi-generational interactions between two groups of individuals: original members of a group with an honest identity signal, and members of an outsider group who mimic that signal, aiming to pass as members of the in-group. The models correspond to the Biblical story of Shibboleth, where a tribe in conflict with another determines tribe affiliation by asking individuals to pronounce the word, 'Shibboleth.' In the story, failure to reproduce the word phonetically resulted in death. Here, we run five different versions of a 'Shibboleth' model: a first, simple version, which evaluates whether a composite variable of mimicry quality and detection quality is a superior predictor to the model's outcome than is cost of detection. The models thereafter evaluate variations on the simple model, incorporating group-level behaviours such as altruistic punishment. Our results suggest that group members' sensitivity to mimicry of the Shibboleth-signal is a better predictor of whether any signal of group identity goes into fixation in the overall population than is the cost of mimicry detection. Thus, the likelihood of being detected as a mimic may be more important than the costs imposed on mimics who are detected. This suggests that theoretical models in biology should place greater emphasis on the likelihood of detection, which does not explicitly entail costs, rather than on the costs to individuals who are detected. From a language learning perspective, the results suggest that admission to group membership through linguistic signals is powered by the ability to imitate and evade detection as an outsider by existing group members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Goodman
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Darwin College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Caines
- ALTA Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Foley
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Smith-Vidaurre G, Pérez-Marrufo V, Hobson EA, Salinas-Melgoza A, Wright TF. Individual identity information persists in learned calls of introduced parrot populations. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011231. [PMID: 37498847 PMCID: PMC10374045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011231] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals can actively encode different types of identity information in learned communication signals, such as group membership or individual identity. The social environments in which animals interact may favor different types of information, but whether identity information conveyed in learned signals is robust or responsive to social disruption over short evolutionary timescales is not well understood. We inferred the type of identity information that was most salient in vocal signals by combining computational tools, including supervised machine learning, with a conceptual framework of "hierarchical mapping", or patterns of relative acoustic convergence across social scales. We used populations of a vocal learning species as a natural experiment to test whether the type of identity information emphasized in learned vocalizations changed in populations that experienced the social disruption of introduction into new parts of the world. We compared the social scales with the most salient identity information among native and introduced range monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) calls recorded in Uruguay and the United States, respectively. We also evaluated whether the identity information emphasized in introduced range calls changed over time. To place our findings in an evolutionary context, we compared our results with another parrot species that exhibits well-established and distinctive regional vocal dialects that are consistent with signaling group identity. We found that both native and introduced range monk parakeet calls displayed the strongest convergence at the individual scale and minimal convergence within sites. We did not identify changes in the strength of acoustic convergence within sites over time in the introduced range calls. These results indicate that the individual identity information in learned vocalizations did not change over short evolutionary timescales in populations that experienced the social disruption of introduction. Our findings point to exciting new research directions about the robustness or responsiveness of communication systems over different evolutionary timescales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Smith-Vidaurre
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Rockefeller University Field Research Center, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Valeria Pérez-Marrufo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Hobson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Timothy F. Wright
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lawlor J, Wohlgemuth MJ, Moss CF, Kuchibhotla KV. Spatially clustered neurons encode vocalization categories in the bat midbrain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.14.545029. [PMID: 37398454 PMCID: PMC10312733 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.14.545029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Rapid categorization of vocalizations enables adaptive behavior across species. While categorical perception is thought to arise in the neocortex, humans and other animals could benefit from functional organization of ethologically-relevant sounds at earlier stages in the auditory hierarchy. Here, we developed two-photon calcium imaging in the awake echolocating bat (Eptesicus fuscus) to study encoding of sound meaning in the Inferior Colliculus, which is as few as two synapses from the inner ear. Echolocating bats produce and interpret frequency sweep-based vocalizations for social communication and navigation. Auditory playback experiments demonstrated that individual neurons responded selectively to social or navigation calls, enabling robust population-level decoding across categories. Strikingly, category-selective neurons formed spatial clusters, independent of tonotopy within the IC. These findings support a revised view of categorical processing in which specified channels for ethologically-relevant sounds are spatially segregated early in the auditory hierarchy, enabling rapid subcortical organization of call meaning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Lawlor
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21218, MD
| | | | - Cynthia F. Moss
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21218, MD
- The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Kishore V. Kuchibhotla
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21218, MD
- The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Lead contact
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Salles A, Neunuebel J. What do mammals have to say about the neurobiology of acoustic communication? MOLECULAR PSYCHOLOGY : BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIETY 2023; 2:5. [PMID: 38827277 PMCID: PMC11141777 DOI: 10.12688/molpsychol.17539.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Auditory communication is crucial across taxa, including humans, because it enables individuals to convey information about threats, food sources, mating opportunities, and other social cues necessary for survival. Comparative approaches to auditory communication will help bridge gaps across taxa and facilitate our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying this complex task. In this work, we briefly review the field of auditory communication processing and the classical champion animal, the songbird. In addition, we discuss other mammalian species that are advancing the field. In particular, we emphasize mice and bats, highlighting the characteristics that may inform how we think about communication processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angeles Salles
- Biological Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joshua Neunuebel
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barker AJ. Acoustic communication: Deer mice join the chorus. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R264-R266. [PMID: 37040707 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
A new study has identified two distinct pup vocalizations in deer mice, showing that discrete genetic loci explain the acoustic variation between these two call types and that the calls elicit different levels of maternal responsiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Barker
- Social Systems, Social Systems and Circuits Group, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ma M, Hua R, Bao D, Ye G, Tang Z, Hua L. Alarm Calling in Plateau Pika ( Ochotona curzoniae): Evidence from Field Observations and Simulated Predator and Playback Experiments. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071271. [PMID: 37048527 PMCID: PMC10093306 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication plays a vital role in passing or sharing information between individuals. Identifying the biological meaning of vocal signals is crucial in understanding the survival strategies of animals. However, there are many challenges in identifying the true meaning of such signals. The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a call-producing mammal endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP) and considered a keystone species owing to its multiple benefits in alpine rangeland ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that plateau pikas emit alarm calls as part of their daily activities. However, only field observations have been used to identify these alarm calls of the plateau pika, with no attempts at using playback experiments. Here, we report the alarm calling of plateau pikas through field observations as well as simulated predator and playback experiments in the Eastern QTP from 2021 to 2022. We found that both female and male adults emitted alarm calls, the signals of which comprised only one syllable, with a duration of 0.1-0.3 s. There were no differences in the characteristics between the observed alarm calls and those made in response to the simulated predator. The duration of the alarm call response varied with altitude, with plateau pikas living at higher altitudes responding at shorter durations than those at lower altitudes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meina Ma
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Rui Hua
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Darhan Bao
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Guohui Ye
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zhuangsheng Tang
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Limin Hua
- College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of the Ministry of Education, Engineering and Technology Research Center for Alpine Rodent Pests Control, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Lanzhou 730070, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Amoroso VG, Zhao A, Vargas I, Park TJ. Naked Mole-Rats Demonstrate Profound Tolerance to Low Oxygen, High Carbon Dioxide, and Chemical Pain. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050819. [PMID: 36899677 PMCID: PMC10000161 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are very unusual among subterranean mammals in that they live in large colonies and are extremely social, spending large amounts of time gathered together in underground nests more than a meter below the surface. Many respiring individuals resting in deep, poorly ventilated nests deplete the oxygen supply and increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. Consistent with living in that atmosphere, naked mole-rats tolerate levels of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide that are deadly to most surface-dwelling mammals. Naked mole-rats appear to have evolved a number of remarkable adaptations to be able to thrive in this harsh atmosphere. In order to successfully survive low oxygen atmospheres, they conserve energy utilization by reducing the physiological activity of all organs, manifest by reduced heart rate and brain activity. Amazingly, they resort to the anaerobic metabolism of fructose rather than glucose as a fuel to generate energy when challenged by anoxia. Similarly, high carbon dioxide atmospheres normally cause tissue acidosis, while naked mole-rats have a genetic mutation preventing both acid-induced pain and pulmonary edema. Together, these putative adaptations and the tolerances they provide make the naked mole-rat an important model for studying a host of biomedical challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vince G Amoroso
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Aishi Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Isabel Vargas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Thomas J Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Anderson KL, Colón L, Doolittle V, Martinez RR, Uraga J, Whitney O. Context-dependent activation of a social behavior brain network associates with learned vocal production. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2587773. [PMID: 36824963 PMCID: PMC9949236 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2587773/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
In zebra finches, an avian brain network for vocal control undergoes context-dependent patterning of song-dependent activation. Previous studies in zebra finches also implicate the importance of dopaminergic input in producing context-appropriate singing behavior. In mice, it has been shown that oxytocinergic neurons originated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) synapse directly onto dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), implicating the necessity of oxytocin signaling from the PVN for producing a context-appropriate song. Both avian and non-avian axonal tract-tracing studies indicate high levels of PVN innervation by the social behavior network. Here, we hypothesize that the motivation for PVN oxytocin neurons to trigger dopamine release originates in the social behavior network, a highly conserved and interconnected collection of six regions implicated in various social and homeostatic behaviors. We found that expression of the neuronal activity marker EGR1 was not strongly correlated with song production in any of the regions of the social behavior network. However, when EGR1 expression levels were normalized to the singing rate, we found significantly higher levels of expression in the social behavior network regions except the medial preoptic area during a social female-directed singing context compared to a non-social undirected singing context. Our results suggest neuronal activity within the male zebra finch social behavior network influences the synaptic release of oxytocin from PVN onto dopaminergic projection neurons in the VTA, which in turn signals to the vocal control network to allow for context-appropriate song production.
Collapse
|
20
|
Oka K, Yamakawa M, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Miura K. The Naked Mole-Rat as a Model for Healthy Aging. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:207-226. [PMID: 36318672 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050322-074744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodents with a maximum life span exceeding 37 years. They exhibit a delayed aging phenotype and resistance to age-related functional decline/diseases. Specifically, they do not display increased mortality with age, maintain several physiological functions until nearly the end of their lifetime, and rarely develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. NMRs live in a hypoxic environment in underground colonies in East Africa and are highly tolerant of hypoxia. These unique characteristics of NMRs have attracted considerable interest from zoological and biomedical researchers. This review summarizes previous studies of the ecology, hypoxia tolerance, longevity/delayed aging, and cancer resistance of NMRs and discusses possible mechanisms contributing to their healthy aging. In addition, we discuss current issues and future perspectives to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying delayed aging and resistance to age-related diseases in NMRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; ,
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; , .,Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , , .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nelson-Reinier T, Clarke JA. Dialects in North American elk bugle calls: comparisons between source and translocated elk populations. J Mammal 2023. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Identifying the factors shaping dialects can reveal selective pressures and cultural influences on acoustic signals. Translocations of species have been considered the “gold standard” for identifying population differences in vocalizations, including dialects. The North American elk (Cervus canadensis) is a species that has experienced numerous translocations, but no published studies exist on dialects in elk or any other ungulate species. Adult male North American elk utter an iconic vocalization during the breeding season, which is termed the bugle call due to the power, duration, and pitch of the sound. We investigated if dialect differences existed between three populations: a source population in Wyoming (N = 10 bulls, 132 calls) and translocated populations in Colorado (N = 13 bulls, 92 calls) and Pennsylvania (N = 20 bulls, 160 calls). Dialect differences existed between the populations in 9 of 10 measured variables, in both the frequency domain and time domain. Habitat factors (acoustic adaptation hypothesis) affecting sound transmission were inconsistently related to dialects in the populations. Genetic factors may be related to dialects, as the historically bottlenecked Pennsylvania population, with low heterozygosity and low allelic richness, exhibited the least variability in acoustic measures. Cultural transmission and vocal learning may also contribute to dialect development in this highly vocal, social ungulate species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracee Nelson-Reinier
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado , Greeley, Colorado 99164 , USA
| | - Jennifer A Clarke
- Biology Department, University of La Verne , La Verne, California 91750 , USA
- Center for Wildlife Studies , South Freeport, Maine 04078 , USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zhang Y, Zhou L, Zuo J, Wang S, Meng W. Analogies of human speech and bird song: From vocal learning behavior to its neural basis. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1100969. [PMID: 36910811 PMCID: PMC9992734 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vocal learning is a complex acquired social behavior that has been found only in very few animals. The process of animal vocal learning requires the participation of sensorimotor function. By accepting external auditory input and cooperating with repeated vocal imitation practice, a stable pattern of vocal information output is eventually formed. In parallel evolutionary branches, humans and songbirds share striking similarities in vocal learning behavior. For example, their vocal learning processes involve auditory feedback, complex syntactic structures, and sensitive periods. At the same time, they have evolved the hierarchical structure of special forebrain regions related to vocal motor control and vocal learning, which are organized and closely associated to the auditory cortex. By comparing the location, function, genome, and transcriptome of vocal learning-related brain regions, it was confirmed that songbird singing and human language-related neural control pathways have certain analogy. These common characteristics make songbirds an ideal animal model for studying the neural mechanisms of vocal learning behavior. The neural process of human language learning may be explained through similar neural mechanisms, and it can provide important insights for the treatment of language disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Zhang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lifang Zhou
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiachun Zuo
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Songhua Wang
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Meng
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Watson SK, Filippi P, Gasparri L, Falk N, Tamer N, Widmer P, Manser M, Glock H. Optionality in animal communication: a novel framework for examining the evolution of arbitrariness. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:2057-2075. [PMID: 35818133 PMCID: PMC9795909 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A critical feature of language is that the form of words need not bear any perceptual similarity to their function - these relationships can be 'arbitrary'. The capacity to process these arbitrary form-function associations facilitates the enormous expressive power of language. However, the evolutionary roots of our capacity for arbitrariness, i.e. the extent to which related abilities may be shared with animals, is largely unexamined. We argue this is due to the challenges of applying such an intrinsically linguistic concept to animal communication, and address this by proposing a novel conceptual framework highlighting a key underpinning of linguistic arbitrariness, which is nevertheless applicable to non-human species. Specifically, we focus on the capacity to associate alternative functions with a signal, or alternative signals with a function, a feature we refer to as optionality. We apply this framework to a broad survey of findings from animal communication studies and identify five key dimensions of communicative optionality: signal production, signal adjustment, signal usage, signal combinatoriality and signal perception. We find that optionality is widespread in non-human animals across each of these dimensions, although only humans demonstrate it in all five. Finally, we discuss the relevance of optionality to behavioural and cognitive domains outside of communication. This investigation provides a powerful new conceptual framework for the cross-species investigation of the origins of arbitrariness, and promises to generate original insights into animal communication and language evolution more generally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart K. Watson
- Department of Comparative Language ScienceUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichWinterthurerstrasse 1908057ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Piera Filippi
- Department of Comparative Language ScienceUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Department of PhilosophyUniversity of ZurichZurichbergstrasse 438044ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Luca Gasparri
- Department of PhilosophyUniversity of ZurichZurichbergstrasse 438044ZürichSwitzerland,Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8163 – STL – Savoirs Textes LangageF‐59000LilleFrance
| | - Nikola Falk
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichWinterthurerstrasse 1908057ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Nicole Tamer
- Department of Comparative Language ScienceUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Paul Widmer
- Department of Comparative Language ScienceUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland
| | - Marta Manser
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichWinterthurerstrasse 1908057ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Hans‐Johann Glock
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language EvolutionUniversity of ZurichAffolternstrasse 568050ZürichSwitzerland,Department of PhilosophyUniversity of ZurichZurichbergstrasse 438044ZürichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Serrano Nájera G, Kin K. Unusual occurrence of domestication syndrome amongst African mole-rats: Is the naked mole-rat a domestic animal? Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.987177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Naked mole-rat (NMR) is becoming a prominent model organism due to its peculiar traits, such as eusociality, extreme longevity, cancer resistance, and reduced pain sensitivity. It belongs to the African mole-rats (AMR), a family of subterranean rodents that includes solitary, cooperative breeding and eusocial species. We identified and quantified the domestication syndrome (DS) across AMR, a set of morphological and behavioural traits significantly more common and pronounced amongst domesticated animals than in their wild counterparts. Surprisingly, the NMR shows apparent DS traits when compared to the solitary AMR. Animals can self-domesticate when a reduction of the fear response is naturally selected, such as in islands with no predators, or to improve the group’s harmony in cooperative breeding species. The DS may be caused by alterations in the physiology of the neural crest cells (NCC), a transient population of cells that generate a full range of tissues during development. The NCC contribute to organs responsible for transmitting the fear response and various other tissues, including craniofacial bones. Therefore, mutations affecting the NCC can manifest as behavioural and morphological alterations in many structures across the body, as seen in neurocristopathies. We observed that all social AMRs are chisel-tooth diggers, an adaption to hard soils that requires the flattening of the skull. We hypothesise that chisel-tooth digging could impose a selective pressure on the NCC that triggered the DS’s appearance, possibly facilitating the evolution of sociality. Finally, we discuss how DS traits are neutral or beneficial for the subterranean niche, strategies to test this hypothesis and report well-studied mutations in the NMR that are associated with the NCC physiology or with the control of the fear response. In conclusion, we argue that many of the NMR’s unconventional traits are compatible with the DS and provide a hypothesis about its origins. Our model proposes a novel avenue to enhance the understanding of the extraordinary biology of the NMR.
Collapse
|
25
|
Aggression, Boldness, and Exploration Personality Traits in the Subterranean Naked Mole-Rat ( Heterocephalus glaber) Disperser Morphs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223083. [PMID: 36428311 PMCID: PMC9686569 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal personality traits (consistent behavioral differences between individuals in their behavior across time and/or situation) affect individual fitness through facets, such as dispersal. In eusocial naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) colonies, a disperser morph may arise with distinct morphological, behavioral, and physiological characteristics. This study aimed to quantify the personality traits of a cohort of disperser morphs of naked mole-rat (NMR). Behavioral tests were performed on twelve disperser morphs (six males and six females) in an observation tunnel system that was novel and unfamiliar. Novel stimuli (fresh snakeskin, tissue paper, and conspecific of the same sex) were introduced for fifteen minutes, and the behavioral acts of the individual were recorded. A total of 30 behaviors were noted during the behavioral tests of which eight were used to quantify aggression, boldness, and exploration. The NMR disperser morphs showed consistent individual differences in boldness, and exploration across time and test, indicating a distinct personality. In addition, new naked mole-rat responses including disturbance behaviors; confront, barricade, and stay-away, were recorded. Further investigations into the relationships between animal personality traits and social hierarchy position in entire colonies are needed for more informative results as we further investigate the role of personality in cooperatively breeding societies.
Collapse
|
26
|
Wong HS, Freeman DA, Zhang Y. Not just a cousin of the naked mole-rat: Damaraland mole-rats offer unique insights into biomedicine. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 262:110772. [PMID: 35710053 PMCID: PMC10155858 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2022.110772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary medicine has been a fast-growing field of biological research in the past decade. One of the strengths of evolutionary medicine is to use non-traditional model organisms which often exhibit unusual characteristics shaped by natural selection. Studying these unusual traits could provide valuable insight to understand biomedical questions, since natural selection likely discovers solutions to those complex biological problems. Because of many unusual traits, the naked mole-rat (NMR) has attracted attention from different research areas such as aging, cancer, and hypoxia- and hypercapnia-related disorders. However, such uniqueness of NMR physiology may sometimes make the translational study to human research difficult. Damaraland mole-rat (DMR) shares multiple characteristics in common with NMR, but shows higher degree of similarity with human in some aspects of their physiology. Research on DMR could therefore offer alternative insights and might bridge the gap between experimental findings from NMR to human biomedical research. In this review, we discuss studies of DMR as an extension of the current set of model organisms to help better understand different aspects of human biology and disease. We hope to encourage researchers to consider studying DMR together with NMR. By studying these two similar but evolutionarily distinct species, we can harvest the power of convergent evolution and avoid the potential biased conclusions based on life-history of a single species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Shan Wong
- Nine Square Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States of America.
| | - David A Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- College of Health Sciences, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Paulsson NI, Taborsky M. Norway rats help social partners in need in response to ultrasonic begging signals. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Ingvar Paulsson
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern Switzerland
| | - Michael Taborsky
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern Switzerland
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Konstanz Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study (Wissenschaftskolleg) Berlin Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
McCullagh EA, Peacock J, Lucas A, Poleg S, Greene NT, Gaut A, Lagestee S, Zhang Y, Kaczmarek LK, Park TJ, Tollin DJ, Klug A. Auditory brainstem development of naked mole-rats ( Heterocephalus glaber). Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220878. [PMID: 35946148 PMCID: PMC9363996 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Life underground often leads to animals having specialized auditory systems to accommodate the constraints of acoustic transmission in tunnels. Despite living underground, naked mole-rats use a highly vocal communication system, implying that they rely on central auditory processing. However, little is known about these animals' central auditory system, and whether it follows a similar developmental time course as other rodents. Naked mole-rats show slowed development in the hippocampus suggesting they have altered brain development compared to other rodents. Here, we measured morphological characteristics and voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.3 expression and protein levels at different key developmental time points (postnatal days 9, 14, 21 and adulthood) to determine whether the auditory brainstem (lateral superior olive and medial nucleus of the trapezoid body) develops similarly to two common auditory rodent model species: gerbils and mice. Additionally, we measured the hearing onset of naked mole-rats using auditory brainstem response recordings at the same developmental timepoints. In contrast with other work in naked mole-rats showing that they are highly divergent in many aspects of their physiology, we show that naked mole-rats have a similar hearing onset, between postnatal day (P) 9 and P14, to many other rodents. On the other hand, we show some developmental differences, such as a unique morphology and Kv3.3 protein levels in the brainstem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John Peacock
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alexandra Lucas
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shani Poleg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nathaniel T. Greene
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Addison Gaut
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Samantha Lagestee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Leonard K. Kaczmarek
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Thomas J. Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Daniel J. Tollin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Achim Klug
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Selection levels on vocal individuality: strategic use or byproduct. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
30
|
Fitzpatrick CR, Toor I, Holmes MM. Colony but not social phenotype or status structures the gut bacteria of a eusocial mammal. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
31
|
Kashash Y, Smarsh G, Zilkha N, Yovel Y, Kimchi T. Alone, in the dark: The extraordinary neuroethology of the solitary blind mole rat. eLife 2022; 11:78295. [PMID: 35674717 PMCID: PMC9177142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR; Spalax ehrenbergi) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR's unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of 'anti-social' behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR's behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yael Kashash
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Grace Smarsh
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noga Zilkha
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Begall S, Bottermann L, Caspar KR. Self-Domestication Underground? Testing for Social and Morphological Correlates of Animal Personality in Cooperatively-Breeding Ansell’s Mole-Rats (Fukomys anselli). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.862082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ansell’s mole-rats (Fukomys anselli) are sexually dimorphic subterranean rodents that live in families consisting of a single breeding pair and their late-dispersing non-breeding offspring. Most individuals exhibit a conspicuous white head patch, which results from integumental depigmentation. Alongside other morphological, physiological, and social characteristics, skin depigmentation in these social rodents mirrors traits that presumably evolved as byproducts from selection against aggression in domestic animals, making them a potential candidate species for a self-domesticated wild mammal. Here we explored whether the expression of the white head patch, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive division of labor are reflected by different personalities in Ansell’s mole-rats. We tested locomotory activity and risk-taking as well as aggression and affiliative behavior in 51 individuals originating from nine captive families in various experimental set-ups. In line with the concept of animal personality, we recovered consistent individual responses over time. While sex had no influence on any tested variable, reproductive status was found to affect risk-taking behavior but not other personality dimensions. Discriminant function analysis revealed that family members clustered more closely together than expected by chance, suggesting that group affiliation rather than sex or social status determines behavioral profiles in this species. Finally, we failed to recover any consistent correlation between head patch expression and behavior, which conflicts with predictions of the self-domestication hypothesis. We argue that many domestication-like traits in Ansell’s mole-rat and its congeners evolved in the framework of subterranean adaptation and call for a cautious application of the self-domestication concept to wild mammals.
Collapse
|
33
|
Toor I, Maynard R, Peng X, Beery AK, Holmes MM. Naked Mole-Rat Social Phenotypes Vary in Investigative and Aggressive Behavior in a Laboratory Partner Preference Paradigm. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.860885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we employed the partner preference test (PPT) to examine how naked mole-rat non-breeding individuals of different behavioral phenotypes make social decisions. Naked mole-rats from six colonies were classified into three behavioral phenotypes (soldiers, dispersers, and workers) using a battery of behavioral tests. They then participated in a 3 h long PPT, where they could freely interact with a tethered familiar or tethered unfamiliar conspecific. By comparing the three behavioral phenotypes, we tested the hypothesis that the PPT can be used to interrogate social decision-making in this species, revealing individual differences in behavior that are consistent with discrete social phenotypes. We also tested whether a shorter, 10 min version of the paradigm is sufficient to capture group differences in behavior. Overall, soldiers had higher aggression scores toward unfamiliar conspecifics than both workers and dispersers at the 10 min and 3 h comparison times. At the 10 min comparison time, workers showed a stronger preference for the familiar animal’s chamber, as well as for investigating the familiar conspecific, compared to both dispersers and soldiers. At the 3 h time point, no phenotype differences were seen with chamber or investigation preference scores. Overall, all phenotypes spent more time in chambers with another animal vs. being alone. Use of the PPT in a comparative context has demonstrated that the test identifies species and group differences in affiliative and aggressive behavior toward familiar and unfamiliar animals, revealing individual differences in social decision-making and, importantly, capturing aspects of species-specific social organization seen in nature.
Collapse
|
34
|
Bégay V, Cirovic B, Barker AJ, Klopfleisch R, Hart DW, Bennett NC, Lewin GR. Immune competence and spleen size scale with colony status in the naked mole-rat. Open Biol 2022; 12:210292. [PMID: 35382566 PMCID: PMC8984379 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NM-R; Heterocephalus glaber) live in multi-generational colonies with a social hierarchy, and show low cancer incidence and long life-spans. Here we asked if an immune component might underlie such extreme physiology. The largest lymphoid organ is the spleen, which plays an essential role in responding to immunological insults and may participate in combating cancer and slowing ageing. We investigated the anatomy, molecular composition and function of the NM-R spleen using RNA-sequencing and histological analysis in healthy NM-Rs. Spleen size in healthy NM-Rs showed considerable inter-individual variability, with some animals displaying enlarged spleens. In all healthy NM-Rs, the spleen is a major site of adult haematopoiesis under normal physiological conditions. However, myeloid-to-lymphoid cell ratio is increased and splenic marginal zone showed markedly altered morphology when compared to other rodents. Healthy NM-Rs with enlarged spleens showed potentially better anti-microbial profiles and were much more likely to have a high rank within the colony. We propose that the anatomical plasticity of the spleen might be regulated by social interaction and gives immunological advantage to increase the lifespan of higher-ranked animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Bégay
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Laboratory for Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation, Robert-Rössle Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Branko Cirovic
- Division of Cellular Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alison J. Barker
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Laboratory for Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation, Robert-Rössle Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Free University Berlin, Robert von Ostertag Strasse 15, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel W. Hart
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Gary R. Lewin
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Laboratory for Molecular Physiology of Somatic Sensation, Robert-Rössle Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Buffenstein R, Amoroso V, Andziak B, Avdieiev S, Azpurua J, Barker AJ, Bennett NC, Brieño‐Enríquez MA, Bronner GN, Coen C, Delaney MA, Dengler‐Crish CM, Edrey YH, Faulkes CG, Frankel D, Friedlander G, Gibney PA, Gorbunova V, Hine C, Holmes MM, Jarvis JUM, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Kenyon C, Khaled WT, Kikusui T, Kissil J, Lagestee S, Larson J, Lauer A, Lavrenchenko LA, Lee A, Levitt JB, Lewin GR, Lewis Hardell KN, Lin TD, Mason MJ, McCloskey D, McMahon M, Miura K, Mogi K, Narayan V, O'Connor TP, Okanoya K, O'Riain MJ, Park TJ, Place NJ, Podshivalova K, Pamenter ME, Pyott SJ, Reznick J, Ruby JG, Salmon AB, Santos‐Sacchi J, Sarko DK, Seluanov A, Shepard A, Smith M, Storey KB, Tian X, Vice EN, Viltard M, Watarai A, Wywial E, Yamakawa M, Zemlemerova ED, Zions M, Smith ESJ. The naked truth: a comprehensive clarification and classification of current 'myths' in naked mole-rat biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:115-140. [PMID: 34476892 PMCID: PMC9277573 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has fascinated zoologists for at least half a century. It has also generated considerable biomedical interest not only because of its extraordinary longevity, but also because of unusual protective features (e.g. its tolerance of variable oxygen availability), which may be pertinent to several human disease states, including ischemia/reperfusion injury and neurodegeneration. A recent article entitled 'Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole-rat biology' described 28 'myths' which, those authors claimed, are a 'perpetuation of beautiful, but falsified, hypotheses' and impede our understanding of this enigmatic mammal. Here, we re-examine each of these 'myths' based on evidence published in the scientific literature. Following Braude et al., we argue that these 'myths' fall into four main categories: (i) 'myths' that would be better described as oversimplifications, some of which persist solely in the popular press; (ii) 'myths' that are based on incomplete understanding, where more evidence is clearly needed; (iii) 'myths' where the accumulation of evidence over the years has led to a revision in interpretation, but where there is no significant disagreement among scientists currently working in the field; (iv) 'myths' where there is a genuine difference in opinion among active researchers, based on alternative interpretations of the available evidence. The term 'myth' is particularly inappropriate when applied to competing, evidence-based hypotheses, which form part of the normal evolution of scientific knowledge. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical review of naked mole-rat biology and attempt to clarify some of these misconceptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent Amoroso
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Blazej Andziak
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | | | - Jorge Azpurua
- Department of AnesthesiologyStony Brook University101 Nicolls RoadStony BrookNY11794U.S.A.
| | - Alison J. Barker
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineRobert‐Rössle‐Str 10Berlin‐Buch13092Germany
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoria0002South Africa
| | - Miguel A. Brieño‐Enríquez
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive MedicineMagee‐Womens Research Institute204 Craft AvenuePittsburghPA15213U.S.A.
| | - Gary N. Bronner
- Department Biological SciencesRondeboschCape Town7701South Africa
| | - Clive Coen
- Reproductive Neurobiology, Division of Women's HealthSchool of Medicine, King's College LondonWestminster Bridge RoadLondonSE1 7EHU.K.
| | - Martha A. Delaney
- Zoological Pathology ProgramUniversity of Illinois3505 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S Lincoln AvenueUrbanaIL6180U.S.A.
| | - Christine M. Dengler‐Crish
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesNortheast Ohio Medical University4209 State Route 44RootstownOH44272U.S.A.
| | - Yael H. Edrey
- Northwest Vista College3535 N. Ellison DriveSan AntonioTX78251U.S.A.
| | - Chris G. Faulkes
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonMile End RoadLondonE1 4NSU.K.
| | - Daniel Frankel
- School of EngineeringNewcastle UniversityMerz CourtNewcastle Upon TyneNE1 7RUU.K.
| | - Gerard Friedlander
- Université Paris DescartesFaculté de Médecine12 Rue de l'École de MédecineParis5006France
| | - Patrick A. Gibney
- Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY14853U.S.A.
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Departments of BiologyUniversity of Rochester402 Hutchison HallRochesterNY14627U.S.A.
| | - Christopher Hine
- Cleveland ClinicLerner Research Institute9500 Euclid AvenueClevelandOH44195U.S.A.
| | - Melissa M. Holmes
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Toronto Mississauga3359 Mississauga Road NorthMississaugaONL5L 1C6Canada
| | | | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto University1‐1‐1 HonjoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of BiosystemsThe Graduate University for Advanced StudiesHayama240‐0193Japan
| | - Cynthia Kenyon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Walid T. Khaled
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Joseph Kissil
- Department of Cancer BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteScripps FloridaJupiterFL33458U.S.A.
| | - Samantha Lagestee
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - John Larson
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Amanda Lauer
- Department of OtolaryngologyJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205U.S.A.
| | - Leonid A. Lavrenchenko
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesLeninskii pr. 33Moscow119071Russia
| | - Angela Lee
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | - Jonathan B. Levitt
- Biology DepartmentThe City College of New York138th Street and Convent AvenueNew YorkNY10031U.S.A.
| | - Gary R. Lewin
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineRobert‐Rössle‐Str 10Berlin‐Buch13092Germany
| | | | - TzuHua D. Lin
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Matthew J. Mason
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| | - Dan McCloskey
- College of Staten Island in the City University of New York2800 Victory BlvdStaten IslandNY10314U.S.A.
| | - Mary McMahon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto University1‐1‐1 HonjoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Vikram Narayan
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | | | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of Tokyo7‐3‐1 HongoTokyo153‐8902Japan
| | | | - Thomas J. Park
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Ned J. Place
- Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY14853U.S.A.
| | - Katie Podshivalova
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | | | - Sonja J. Pyott
- Groningen Department of OtorhinolaryngologyUniversity Medical CenterPostbus 30.001GroningenRB9700The Netherlands
| | - Jane Reznick
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD)University Hospital CologneJoseph‐Stelzmann‐Street 26Cologne50931Germany
| | - J. Graham Ruby
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Adam B. Salmon
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging StudiesUniversity of Texas Health Science Center4939 Charles Katz Dr.San AntonioTX78229U.S.A.
| | - Joseph Santos‐Sacchi
- Department of NeuroscienceYale University School of Medicine200 South Frontage Road, SHM C‐303New HavenCT06510U.S.A.
| | - Diana K. Sarko
- Department of AnatomySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University975 S. NormalCarbondaleIL62901U.S.A.
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Departments of BiologyUniversity of Rochester402 Hutchison HallRochesterNY14627U.S.A.
| | - Alyssa Shepard
- Department of Cancer BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteScripps FloridaJupiterFL33458U.S.A.
| | - Megan Smith
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Kenneth B. Storey
- Department of BiologyCarleton University1125 Colonel By DriveOttawaONK1S 5B6Canada
| | - Xiao Tian
- Department of Genetics – Blavatnik InstituteHarvard Medical School77 Avenue Louis PasteurBostonMA02115U.S.A.
| | - Emily N. Vice
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Mélanie Viltard
- Fondation pour la recherche en PhysiologieUniversité Catholique de LouvainClos Chapelle‐aux‐Champs 30Woluwe‐saint Lambert1200Belgium
| | - Akiyuki Watarai
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Ewa Wywial
- Biology DepartmentThe City College of New York138th Street and Convent AvenueNew YorkNY10031U.S.A.
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of BiosystemsThe Graduate University for Advanced StudiesHayama240‐0193Japan
| | - Elena D. Zemlemerova
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesLeninskii pr. 33Moscow119071Russia
| | - Michael Zions
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | - Ewan St. John Smith
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vocal flexibility in a eusocial rodent. Learn Behav 2022; 50:3-5. [PMID: 34984647 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-021-00497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Vocal production learning-the ability to learn new sounds-is fundamental to human communication and is also seen in many nonhuman species, including birds, bats, elephants, and marine mammals. A new paper in Science may add an unusual rodent species-the naked mole rat-to this list.
Collapse
|
37
|
Sainburg T, Gentner TQ. Toward a Computational Neuroethology of Vocal Communication: From Bioacoustics to Neurophysiology, Emerging Tools and Future Directions. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:811737. [PMID: 34987365 PMCID: PMC8721140 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.811737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently developed methods in computational neuroethology have enabled increasingly detailed and comprehensive quantification of animal movements and behavioral kinematics. Vocal communication behavior is well poised for application of similar large-scale quantification methods in the service of physiological and ethological studies. This review describes emerging techniques that can be applied to acoustic and vocal communication signals with the goal of enabling study beyond a small number of model species. We review a range of modern computational methods for bioacoustics, signal processing, and brain-behavior mapping. Along with a discussion of recent advances and techniques, we include challenges and broader goals in establishing a framework for the computational neuroethology of vocal communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Sainburg
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Timothy Q. Gentner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jacobs PJ, Hart DW, Suess T, Janse van Vuuren AK, Bennett NC. The Cost of Reproduction in a Cooperatively Breeding Mammal: Consequences of Seasonal Variation in Rainfall, Reproduction, and Reproductive Suppression. Front Physiol 2021; 12:780490. [PMID: 34867486 PMCID: PMC8640211 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.780490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological investments, such as reproduction, are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors and their interactions. The trade-off between reproduction and survival has been well established. Seasonally breeding species, therefore, may exhibit variations in these trade-offs, but there is a dearth of knowledge concerning this. This study investigated the physiological cost of reproduction (measured through oxidative stress) across seasons in the cooperatively breeding highveld mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae), one of the few seasonal breeding mole-rats. Oxidative stress indicates elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which can overwhelm antioxidant defences resulting in damaged proteins, lipids and DNA, which overall can reduce longevity and compromise reproduction. Oxidative markers such as total oxidant status (TOS-measure of total peroxides present), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA) are utilised to measure oxidative stress. In this study, breeding and non-breeding male (NBM) and female mole-rats were captured during the dry season (breeding period) and wet season (non-breeding period). There was an apparent cost of reproduction in the highveld mole-rat; however, the seasonality pattern to the cost of reproduction varied between the sexes. Breeding females (BFs) had significantly higher MDA during the breeding period/dry season in comparison to the non-breeding period/wet season; this is possibly a consequence of bearing and nursing offspring. Contrastingly, breeding males (BMs) showed increased oxidative damage in the non-breeding/wet season compared to the breeding/dry season, possibly due to increased activities of protecting their mating rights for the next breeding/dry season, but this was not significant. Interestingly, during the non-breeding period/wet season, non-breeding females (NBFs) are released from their reproductive suppression, which resulted in increases in TOS and OSI, which again indicated that just the mere ability to be able to breed results in a cost (oxidative stress). Therefore we can speculate that highveld mole-rats exhibited seasonal variation in redox balance brought about by variation in abiotic variables (e.g., rainfall), physiology and behaviour. We conclude that physiological changes associated with reproduction are sufficient to induce significant acute oxidative stress in the plasma of female highveld mole-rats, which become alleviated following transition to the non-breeding season/wet period suggesting a possible hormetic effect.
Collapse
|
39
|
Caspar KR, Heinrich A, Mellinghaus L, Gerhardt P, Begall S. Evoked auditory potentials from African mole-rats and coruros reveal disparity in subterranean rodent hearing. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272630. [PMID: 34704596 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hearing in subterranean rodents exhibits numerous peculiarities, including low sensitivity and restriction to a narrow range of comparatively low frequencies. Past studies provided two conflicting hypotheses explaining how these derived traits evolved: structural degeneration and adaptive specialization. To further elucidate this issue, we recorded auditory brainstem responses from three species of social subterranean rodents that differ in the degree of specialization to the underground habitat: the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) and the Mashona mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi), which represent the ancient lineage of African mole-rats (Bathyergidae), and the coruro (Spalacopus cyanus), a South American rodent (Octodontidae) that adopted a subterranean lifestyle in more recent geological time. Additionally, we measured call amplitudes of social vocalizations to study auditory vocal coupling. We found elevated auditory thresholds and severe hearing range restrictions in the African mole-rats, with hearing in naked mole-rats tending to be more sensitive than in Mashona mole-rats, in which hearing notably deteriorated with increasing age. In contrast, hearing in coruros was similar to that of epigeic rodents, with its range extending into ultrasonic frequencies. However, as in the mole-rats, the coruros' region of best hearing was located at low frequencies close to 1 kHz. We argue that the auditory sensitivity of African mole-rats, although remarkably poor, has been underestimated by recent studies, whereas data on coruros conform to previous results. Considering the available evidence, we propose to be open to both degenerative and adaptive interpretations of hearing physiology in subterranean mammals, as each may provide convincing explanations for specific auditory traits observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai R Caspar
- Department of General Zoology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Heinrich
- Department of General Zoology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Lea Mellinghaus
- Department of General Zoology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Patricia Gerhardt
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Begall
- Department of General Zoology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nine Levels of Explanation : A Proposed Expansion of Tinbergen's Four-Level Framework for Understanding the Causes of Behavior. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2021; 32:748-793. [PMID: 34739657 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-021-09414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Tinbergen's classic "On Aims and Methods of Ethology" (Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie, 20, 1963) proposed four levels of explanation of behavior, which he thought would soon apply to humans. This paper discusses the need for multilevel explanation; Huxley and Mayr's prior models, and others that followed; Tinbergen's differences with Lorenz on "the innate"; and Mayr's ultimate/proximate distinction. It synthesizes these approaches with nine levels of explanation in three categories: phylogeny, natural selection, and genomics (ultimate causes); maturation, sensitive period effects, and routine environmental effects (intermediate causes); and hormonal/metabolic processes, neural circuitry, and eliciting stimuli (proximate causes), as a respectful extension of Tinbergen's levels. The proposed classification supports and builds on Tinbergen's multilevel model and Mayr's ultimate/proximate continuum, adding intermediate causes in accord with Tinbergen's emphasis on ontogeny. It requires no modification of Standard Evolutionary Theory or The Modern Synthesis, but shows that much that critics claim was missing was in fact part of Neo-Darwinian theory (so named by J. Mark Baldwin in The American Naturalist in 1896) all along, notably reciprocal causation in ontogeny, niche construction, cultural evolution, and multilevel selection. Updates of classical examples in ethology are offered at each of the nine levels, including the neuroethological and genomic findings Tinbergen foresaw. Finally, human examples are supplied at each level, fulfilling his hope of human applications as part of the biology of behavior. This broad ethological framework empowers us to explain human behavior-eventually completely-and vindicates the idea of human nature, and of humans as a part of nature.
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Vocal production learning, the ability to modify the structure of vocalizations as a result of hearing those of others, has been studied extensively in birds but less attention has been given to its occurrence in mammals. We summarize the available evidence for vocal learning in mammals from the last 25 years, updating earlier reviews on the subject. The clearest evidence comes from cetaceans, pinnipeds, elephants and bats where species have been found to copy artificial or human language sounds, or match acoustic models of different sound types. Vocal convergence, in which parameter adjustments within one sound type result in similarities between individuals, occurs in a wider range of mammalian orders with additional evidence from primates, mole-rats, goats and mice. Currently, the underlying mechanisms for convergence are unclear with vocal production learning but also usage learning or matching physiological states being possible explanations. For experimental studies, we highlight the importance of quantitative comparisons of seemingly learned sounds with vocal repertoires before learning started or with species repertoires to confirm novelty. Further studies on the mammalian orders presented here as well as others are needed to explore learning skills and limitations in greater detail. This article is part of the theme issue 'Vocal learning in animals and humans'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M Janik
- Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Mirjam Knörnschild
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany.,Animal Behavior Lab, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rose EM, Prior NH, Ball GF. The singing question: re-conceptualizing birdsong. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:326-342. [PMID: 34609054 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong has been the subject of broad research from a variety of sub-disciplines and has taught us much about the evolution, function, and mechanisms driving animal communication and cognition. Typically, birdsong refers to the specialized vocalizations produced by oscines. Historically, much of the research on birdsong was conducted in north temperate regions (specifically in Europe and North America) leading to multiple biases. Due to these historic biases these vocalizations are generally considered to be highly sexually dimorphic, heavily shaped by sexual selection and essential for courtship and territoriality. Song is also typically defined as a learned trait shaped by cultural evolution. Together, this framework focuses research specifically on males, particularly during the north temperate breeding season - reflecting and thereby reinforcing this framework. The physiological underpinnings of song often emphasize the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (associated with breeding changes) and the song control system (underlying vocal learning). Over the years there has been great debate over which features of song are essential to the definition of birdsong, which features apply broadly to contexts outside males in the north temperate region, and over the importance of having a definition at all. Importantly, the definitions we use can both guide and limit the progress of research. Here, we describe the history of these definitions, and how these definitions have directed and restricted research to focus on male song in sexually selected contexts. Additionally, we highlight the gaps in our scientific knowledge, especially with respect to the function and physiological mechanisms underlying song in females and in winter, as well as in non-seasonally breeding species. Furthermore, we highlight the problems with using complexity and learning as dichotomous variables to categorize songs and calls. Across species, no one characteristic of song - sexual dimorphism, seasonality, complexity, sexual selection, learning - consistently delineates song from other songbird vocal communication. We provide recommendations for next steps to build an inclusive information framework that will allow researchers to explore nuances in animal communication and promote comparative research. Specifically, we recommend that researchers should operationalize the axis of variation most relevant to their study/species by identifying their specific question and the variable(s) of focus (e.g. seasonality). Researchers should also identify the axis (axes) of variation (e.g. degree of control by testosterone) most relevant to their study and use language consistent with the question and axis (axes) of variation (e.g. control by testosterone in the seasonal vocal production of birds).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline M Rose
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
| | - Nora H Prior
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
| | - Gregory F Ball
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, 4094 Campus Dr., College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A.,Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, 0219 Cole Student Activities Building, 4090 Union Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Scott AM, Dworkin I, Dukas R. Evolution of sociability by artificial selection. Evolution 2021; 76:541-553. [PMID: 34605553 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There has been extensive research on the ecology and evolution of social life in animals that live in groups. Less attention, however, has been devoted to apparently solitary species, even though recent research indicates that they also possess complex social behaviors. To address this knowledge gap, we artificially selected on sociability, defined as the tendency to engage in nonaggressive activities with others, in fruit flies. Our goal was to quantify the factors that determine the level of sociability and the traits correlated with this feature. After 25 generations of selection, the high-sociability lineages showed sociability scores about 50% higher than did the low-sociability lineages. Experiments using the evolved lineages indicated that there were no differences in mating success between flies from the low and high lineages. Both males and females from the low lineages, however, were more aggressive than males and females from the high lineages. Finally, the evolved lineages maintained their sociability scores after 10 generations of relaxed selection, suggesting no costs to maintaining low and high sociability, at least under our settings. Sociability is a complex trait, which we currently assess through genomic work on the evolved lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Scott
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ian Dworkin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kun Á. The major evolutionary transitions and codes of life. Biosystems 2021; 210:104548. [PMID: 34547424 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Major evolutionary transitions as well as the evolution of codes of life are key elements in macroevolution which are characterized by increase in complexity Major evolutionary transitions ensues by a transition in individuality and by the evolution of a novel mode of using, transmitting or storing information. Here is where codes of life enter the picture: they are arbitrary mappings between different (mostly) molecular species. This flexibility allows information to be employed in a variety of ways, which can fuel evolutionary innovation. The collation of the list of major evolutionary transitions and the list of codes of life show a clear pattern: codes evolved prior to a major evolutionary transition and then played roles in the transition and/or in the transformation of the new individual. The evolution of a new code of life is in itself not a major evolutionary transition but allow major evolutionary transitions to happen. This could help us to identify new organic codes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Kun
- Parmenides Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Parmenides Foundation, Kirchplatz 1, D-82049, Pullach, Germany; Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, H-1121, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-ELTE Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary; Institute for Advanced Studies Kőszeg, Chernel utca 14, H-9730, Kőszeg, Hungary; Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hart D, Medger K, van Jaarsveld B, Bennett N. Filling in the holes: The reproductive biology of the understudied Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali). CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
African mole-rats have provided great insight into mammalian evolution of sociality and reproductive strategy. However, some species have not received attention, and these may provide further insights into these evolutionary questions. The cooperatively breeding Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali (Roberts, 1913)) is one such species. Body mass, reproductive-tract morphometrics, gonad histology, and plasma reproductive hormone concentrations were studied for breeding and non-breeding males and females over 1 year. This study aimed to discern if this species exhibits a seasonal or aseasonal breeding pattern and whether there is a relaxation of reproductive suppression at any point in the year in non-breeding animals. The pattern of reproductive relaxation during the wetter months is similar to other African mole-rat species. Interestingly, births and pregnant breeding females were recorded throughout the year, thus indicating an aseasonal breeding strategy, despite inhabiting a region that experiences seasonal rainfall. However, there were periods of the year favouring increased reproduction to enable an increased likelihood of offspring survival. This suggests that the Mahali mole-rat may be an opportunistic breeder possibly brought about by the benefits of living in a cooperatively breeding group and potentially moving into more arid environments that were previously unexploited by the genus Cryptomys Gray, 1864.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D.W. Hart
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - K. Medger
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - B. van Jaarsveld
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - N.C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Leedale AE, Thorley J, Clutton-Brock T. Odour-based social recognition in Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
47
|
Goodman JR, Ewald PW. The evolution of barriers to exploitation: Sometimes the Red Queen can take a break. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2179-2188. [PMID: 34603491 PMCID: PMC8477591 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a general barrier theory as an evolutionary framework for understanding coevolutionary effects of conflicts of interest in natural and human systems. It is generalized from the barrier theory of cancer, which describes how cancer develops through the evasion of mechanisms, that block unregulated cellular reproduction and survival. Barriers are naturally evolved or artificially implemented mechanisms for blocking exploitation; restraints are mechanisms that impede but do not block exploitation. When conflicts of interest arise, selection will favor exploiters that are capable of overcoming barriers and restraints. When barriers are in place, they halt, at least temporarily, coevolutionary arms races (the Red Queen can stop running). Barriers occur in a broad spectrum of interactions characterized by conflicts of interest: barriers to cellular survival (apoptosis) and reproduction (cell cycle arrest) may block a virus from replicating its genome through reproduction of its host cell. Vaccines may completely protect against targeted pathogens. A plant may escape herbivory by evolving defensive chemicals that block herbivory. Obligate mutualisms may evolve when barriers to horizontal transmission favor symbionts that increasingly lose mechanisms that contribute to horizontal transmission. Here, we show how the barrier theory applies across a spectrum of natural and social systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R. Goodman
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary StudiesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Paul W. Ewald
- Department of BiologyUniversity of LouisvilleLouisvilleKentuckyUSA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hart LA, Hart BL. How Does the Social Grouping of Animals in Nature Protect Against Sickness? A Perspective. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:672097. [PMID: 34305545 PMCID: PMC8292637 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.672097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickness behavior is broadly represented in vertebrates, usually in association with the fever response in response to acute infections. The reactions to sickness behavior in a group member or potential group member in humans is quite variable, depending upon circumstances. In animals, the reactions to sickness behavior in a group member or potential group member evoke a specific response that reflects the species-specific lifestyle. Groups of animals can employ varied strategies to reduce or address exposure to sickness. Most of these have scarcely been studied in nature from a disease perspective: (1) adjusting exposure to sick conspecifics or contaminated areas; (2) caring for a sick group member; (3) peripheralization and agonistic behaviors to strange non-group conspecifics; and (4) using special strategies at parturition when newborn are healthy but vulnerable. Unexplored in this regard is infanticide, where newborn that are born with very little immunity until they receive antibody-rich colostrum, could be a target of maternal infanticide if they manifest signs of sickness and could be infectious to littermates. The strategies used by different species are highly specific and dependent upon the particular circumstances. What is needed is a more general awareness and consideration of the possibilities that avoiding or adapting to sickness behavior may be driving some social behaviors of animals in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynette A Hart
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin L Hart
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Clemens AM, Brecht M. Neural representations of kinship. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 68:116-123. [PMID: 33845346 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the fundamental relevance of kinship behavior for evolutionary and behavioral biology has long been recognized, the examination of kinship behavior from a neuroscience perspective is still in its infancy. Kinship is highly conserved from single-celled organisms to humans, where kin preferences are prevalent in behavior and vocal communication. Kin recognition mechanisms are varied, with evidence for both genetic and both prenatal as well as postnatal learning-based kin recognition. Learned kinship mechanisms are predominant in vertebrates and allow for flexibility regarding the concept of kin. We review new evidence for the lateral septum and its role in kinship behavior. We further discuss the discovery of nepotopy, a topographical representation of kin- and nonkin-responsive neurons in the lateral septum. Neural representations of self/other, familiar/unfamiliar, and nepotopy (kin/nonkin) may support a circuit-level framework for a social template through which the mammalian brain learns, categorizes, and selects behavior based on perceived identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Clemens
- The University of Edinburgh, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Brecht
- Humboldt University of Berlin, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Beecher MD. Why Are No Animal Communication Systems Simple Languages? Front Psychol 2021; 12:602635. [PMID: 33815200 PMCID: PMC8018278 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.602635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals of some animal species have been taught simple versions of human language despite their natural communication systems failing to rise to the level of a simple language. How is it, then, that some animals can master a version of language, yet none of them deploy this capacity in their own communication system? I first examine the key design features that are often used to evaluate language-like properties of natural animal communication systems. I then consider one candidate animal system, bird song, because it has several of the key design features or their precursors, including social learning and cultural transmission of their vocal signals. I conclude that although bird song communication is nuanced and complex, and has the acoustic potential for productivity, it is not productive – it cannot be used to say many different things. Finally, I discuss the debate over whether animal communication should be viewed as a cooperative information transmission process, as we typically view human language, or as a competitive process where signaler and receiver vie for control. The debate points to a necessary condition for the evolution of a simple language that has generally been overlooked: the degree of to which the interests of the signaler and receiver align. While strong cognitive and signal production mechanisms are necessary pre-adaptations for a simple language, they are not sufficient. Also necessary is the existence of identical or near-identical interests of signaler and receiver and a socio-ecology that requires high-level cooperation across a range of contexts. In the case of our hominid ancestors, these contexts included hunting, gathering, child care and, perhaps, warfare. I argue that the key condition for the evolution of human language was the extreme interdependency that existed among unrelated individuals in the hunter-gatherer societies of our hominid ancestors. This extreme interdependency produced multiple prosocial adaptations for effective intragroup cooperation, which in partnership with advanced cognitive abilities, set the stage for the evolution of language.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Beecher
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|