Neural mechanisms for turn-taking in duetting plain-tailed wrens

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-23-2022

Abstract

Recent studies conducted in the natural habitats of songbirds have provided new insights into the neural mechanisms of turn–taking. For example, female and male plain–tailed wrens (Pheugopedius euophrys) sing a duet that is so precisely timed it sounds as if a single bird is singing. In this review, we discuss our studies examining the sensory and motor cues that pairs of wrens use to coordinate the rapid alternation of syllable production. Our studies included behavioral measurements of freely–behaving wrens in their natural habitat and neurophysiological experiments conducted in awake and anesthetized individuals at field sites in Ecuador. These studies show that each partner has a pattern-generating circuit in their brain that is linked via acoustic feedback between individuals. A similar control strategy has been described in another species of duetting songbird, white–browed sparrow–weavers (Plocepasser mahali). Interestingly, the combination of neurophysiological results from urethane-anesthetized and awake wrens suggest a role for inhibition in coordinating the timing of turn–taking. Finally, we highlight some of the unique challenges of conducting these experiments at remote field sites.

Identifier

85139409563 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Frontiers in Neural Circuits

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2022.970434

ISSN

16625110

PubMed ID

36213202

Volume

16

Grant

IOS-1146792

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