Vocal Learning in Pinnipeds: A Model System for Human Speech Evolution

2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 3507-3507
Author(s):  
William T. Fitch ◽  
Ronald J. Schusterman ◽  
Colleen Reichmuth ◽  
Marija Spasikova ◽  
Daniel Mietchen
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Model System ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Speech Evolution

scholarly journals Vocal convergence in a multi-level primate society: insights into the evolution of vocal learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1941) ◽  
pp. 20202531
Author(s):  
Julia Fischer ◽  
Franziska Wegdell ◽  
Franziska Trede ◽  
Federica Dal Pesco ◽  
Kurt Hammerschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Acoustic Similarity ◽  
Speech Acquisition ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Vocal Behaviour ◽  
Vocal Convergence ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Papio Papio

The extent to which nonhuman primate vocalizations are amenable to modification through experience is relevant for understanding the substrate from which human speech evolved. We examined the vocal behaviour of Guinea baboons, Papio papio , ranging in the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal. Guinea baboons live in a multi-level society, with units nested within parties nested within gangs. We investigated whether the acoustic structure of grunts of 27 male baboons of two gangs varied with party/gang membership and genetic relatedness. Males in this species are philopatric, resulting in increased male relatedness within gangs and parties. Grunts of males that were members of the same social levels were more similar than those of males in different social levels ( N = 351 dyads for comparison within and between gangs, and N = 169 dyads within and between parties), but the effect sizes were small. Yet, acoustic similarity did not correlate with genetic relatedness, suggesting that higher amounts of social interactions rather than genetic relatedness promote the observed vocal convergence. We consider this convergence a result of sensory–motor integration and suggest this to be an implicit form of vocal learning shared with humans, in contrast to the goal-directed and intentional explicit form of vocal learning unique to human speech acquisition.

scholarly journals Divergent acoustic properties of gelada and baboon vocalizations and their implications for the evolution of human speech

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan L. Gustison ◽  
Thore J. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Cycle Duration ◽  
Speech Rhythm ◽  
Call Type ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Temporal Properties ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Vowel Space ◽  
Speech Evolution ◽  
Number Of Cycles

Abstract Human speech has many complex spectral and temporal features traditionally thought to be absent in the vocalizations of other primates. Recent explorations of the vocal capabilities of non-human primates are challenging this view. Here, we continue this trend by exploring the spectro-temporal properties of gelada (Theropithecus gelada) vocalizations. First, we made cross-species comparisons of geladas, chacma baboons, and human vowel space area. We found that adult male and female gelada exhaled grunts–a call type shared with baboons—have formant profiles that overlap more with human vowel space than do baboon grunts. These gelada grunts also contained more modulation of fundamental and formant frequencies than did baboon grunts. Second, we compared formant profiles and modulation of exhaled grunts to the derived call types (those not shared with baboons) produced by gelada males. These derived calls contained divergent formant profiles, and a subset of them, notably wobbles and vocalized yawns, were more modulated than grunts. Third, we investigated the rhythmic patterns of wobbles, a call type shown previously to contain cycles that match the 3–8 Hz tempo of speech. We use a larger dataset to show that the wobble rhythm overlaps more with speech rhythm than previously thought. We also found that variation in cycle duration depends on the production modality; specifically, exhaled wobbles were produced at a slower tempo than inhaled wobbles. Moreover, the variability in cycle duration within wobbles aligns with a linguistic property known as ‘Menzerath’s law’ in that there was a negative association between cycle duration and wobble size (i.e. the number of cycles). Taken together, our results add to growing evidence that non-human primates are anatomically capable of producing modulated sounds. Our results also support and expand on current hypotheses of speech evolution, including the ‘neural hypothesis’ and the ‘bimodal speech rhythm hypothesis’.

Vocalizations and vocal mimicry in captive harbor seals, Phoca vitulina

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1050-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ralls ◽  
Patricia Fiorelli ◽  
Sheri Gish
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Phoca Vitulina ◽  
Harbor Seals ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Vocal Mimicry ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Speech Cues ◽  
Sexually Mature

Vocalizations recorded from captive harbor seals are described and illustrated. Pups of both sexes vocalized, but females over 1 year of age rarely vocalized. Sexually mature males were the most vocal animals. Two adult males produced sounds that mimicked one or more English words and phrases, which is noteworthy in view of the rarity of demonstrated vocal learning in mammals. Although similar in many ways to other seal sounds, these speechlike sounds contained a variety of human speech cues. We speculate that male harbor seals may mimic other males in the wild.

scholarly journals How vocal temporal parameters develop: a comparative study between humans and songbirds, two distantly related vocal learners

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miki Takahasi ◽  
Kazuo Okanoya ◽  
Reiko Mazuka
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Process ◽  
Developmental Change ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Respiratory Control ◽  
Motor Patterns ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Infant Cry ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Human infants acquire motor patterns for speech during the first several years of their lives. Sequential vocalizations such as human speech are complex behaviors, and the ability to learn new vocalizations is limited to only a few animal species. Vocalizations are generated through the coordination of three types of organs: namely, vocal, respiratory, and articulatory organs. Moreover, sophisticated temporal respiratory control might be necessary for sequential vocalization involving human speech. However, it remains unknown how coordination develops in human infants and if this developmental process is shared with other vocal learners. To answer these questions, we analyzed temporal parameters of sequential vocalizations during the first year in human infants and compared these developmental changes to song development in the Bengalese finch, another vocal learner. In human infants, early cry was also analyzed as an innate sequential vocalization. The following three temporal parameters of sequential vocalizations were measured: note duration (ND), inter-onset interval, and inter-note interval (INI). The results showed that both human infants and Bengalese finches had longer INIs than ND in the early phase. Gradually, the INI and ND converged to a similar range throughout development. While ND increased until 6 months of age in infants, the INI decreased up to 60 days posthatching in finches. Regarding infant cry, ND and INI were within similar ranges, but the INI was more stable in length than ND. In sequential vocalizations, temporal parameters developed early with subsequent articulatory stabilization in both vocal learners. However, this developmental change was accomplished in a species-specific manner. These findings could provide important insights into our understanding of the evolution of vocal learning.

scholarly journals Vocal convergence in a multi-level primate society: insights into the evolution of vocal learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Fischer ◽  
Franziska Wegdell ◽  
Franziska Trede ◽  
Federica Dal Pesco ◽  
Kurt Hammerschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Acoustic Similarity ◽  
Speech Acquisition ◽  
Human Speech ◽  
Vocal Behaviour ◽  
Vocal Convergence ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Papio Papio

ABSTRACTThe extent to which nonhuman primate vocalizations are amenable to modification through experience is relevant for understanding the substrate from which human speech evolved. We examined the vocal behaviour of Guinea baboons, Papio papio, ranging in the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal. Guinea baboons live in a multi-level society, with units nested within parties nested within gangs. We investigated whether the acoustic structure of grunts of 27 male baboons of two gangs varied with party/gang membership and genetic relatedness. Males in this species are philopatric, resulting in increased male relatedness within gangs and parties. Grunts from members were more similar within than across social levels (N = 351 dyads for comparison within and between gangs, and N = 169 dyads within and between parties), but the effect sizes were small. Yet, acoustic similarity did not correlate with genetic relatedness, suggesting that higher amounts of social interactions rather than genetic relatedness promote the observed vocal convergence. We consider this convergence a result of sensory-motor integration and suggest this to be an implicit form of vocal learning shared with humans, in contrast to the goal-directed and intentional explicit form of vocal learning unique to human speech acquisition.

A Protozoan Model for Golgi-Associated Calcification

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 332-333
Author(s):  
D. C. Williams ◽  
D. E. Outka
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Model System ◽  
Sequential Formation

Many studies have shown that the Golgi apparatus is involved in a variety of synthetic activities, and probably no Golgi product is more elaborate than the scales produced by various kinds of phytoflagellates. The formation of calcified scales (coccoliths, Fig. 1,2) of the coccolithophorid phytoflagellates provides a particularly interesting model system for the study of biological mineralization, and the sequential formation of Golgi products.The coccoliths of Hymenomonas carterae consist of a scale-like base (Fig. 2 and 4, b) with a highly structured calcified (CaCO3) rim composed of two distinct elements which alternate about the base periphery (Fig. 1 and 3, A, B). Each element is enveloped by a sheath-like organic matrix (Fig. 3; Fig. 4, m).

Existence of DNA in yeast microbodies

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-233
Author(s):  
Masako Osumi ◽  
Misuzu Nagano ◽  
Hiroko Kazama
Keyword(s):  
Catalase Activity ◽  
Buoyant Density ◽  
Model System ◽  
Contour Length ◽  
Native State ◽  
Normal Alkane ◽  
Remarkable Increase ◽  
Dna Molecule ◽  
Mitochondrial Dnas

We have found that microbodies appeared profusely together with a remarkable increase in catalase activity in normal alkane-grown cells of hydrocarbon-utilizing Candida yeasts, and that the microbodies multiplied by division in these cells. These features of Candida yeasts seem to provide a useful model system for studies on the biogenesis of the microbody. Subsequently, we have succeeded in isolation of Candida microbodies in an apparently native state, as judged biochemically and morphologically. The presence of DNA in the purified microbody fraction thus obtained was proved by the diphenylamine method. DNA molecule of about 15 urn in contour length was released from an isolated microbody. The physicochemical analyses of the microbody DNA revealed that its buoyant density differed from nuclear and mitochondrial DNAs. All these results lead us to the possibility that there is a novel type of DNA in microbodies.

The coprecipitation of Cr3P and Cr in Cu

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 764-765
Author(s):  
M.J. Witcomb ◽  
U. Dahmen ◽  
K.H. Westmacott
Keyword(s):  
Orientation Relationship ◽  
Interface Structure ◽  
Model System ◽  
Relative Orientation ◽  
Age Hardening ◽  
Precipitation Behavior ◽  
Solution Treated ◽  
Small Needle ◽  
Diffraction Patterns ◽  
Interface Structures

Cu-Cr age-hardening alloys are of interest as a model system for the investigation of fcc/bcc interface structures. Several past studies have investigated the morphology and interface structure of Cr precipitates in a Cu matrix (1-3) and good success has been achieved in understanding the crystallography and strain contrast of small needle-shaped precipitates. The present study investigates the effect of small amounts of phosphorous on the precipitation behavior of Cu-Cr alloys.The same Cu-0.3% Cr alloy as was used in earlier work was rolled to a thickness of 150 μm, solution treated in vacuum at 1050°C for 1h followed by quenching and annealing for various times at 820 and 863°C.Two laths and their corresponding diffraction patterns in an alloy aged 2h at 820°C are shown in correct relative orientation in Fig. 1. To within the limit of accuracy of the diffraction patterns the orientation relationship was that of Kurdjumov-Sachs (KS), i.e. parallel close-packed planes and directions.

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