Song motor control organizes acoustic patterns on two levels in Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica).

Full Abstract

Based on statistical analyses of song sequences, Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) songs do not show unvarying motif repetition as has been found in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Instead, there are variations of partially stereotyped sequences of song syllables. Although these stereotyped sequences consist of multiple syllables, in most cases these syllables occur together. To examine whether such structures really exist as a vocal production unit, we subjected singing birds to a light flash and determined when the stimulus stopped the songs. When light interruptions were presented within the statistically stereotyped sequences, the subsequent syllables tended to be produced, whereas interruptions presented during the statistically variable sequences tended to cause instantaneous song termination. This suggests that the associations among the song syllables that compose the statistically stereotyped sequences are more order dependent than those for the statistically variable sequences, and the tolerances of syllable pairs to visual interruptions are consistent with the statistical song structures. Additionally, following interruptions, several types of song sequence variations were observed that had not been previously reported. These phenomena might be caused by various effects of the visual stimulus on the hierarchical motor control program.

Author information

Author/s: Seki, Yoshimasa (Y); Suzuki, Kenta (K); Takahasi, Miki (M); Okanoya, Kazuo (K);

Affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. yseki(-atsign-)brain.riken.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: In Vitro; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology (J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 194 (issue 6) : pp 533-43

Dates: Created 2008/05/14; Completed 2008/08/08;

PMID: 18386017, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.