Published in PLOS Biology · View the paper (DOI)
Researchers found that gene activity in brain regions called song nuclei is associated with species-specific patterns of singing in songbirds. The study identified a signaling molecule called BDNF as a mediator of changes in trans-regulated genes, which disrupted the structures of learned songs in adult zebra finches.
Coverage from 2 institutions
- Songbirds sing species-specific songs PLOS · Nov 12, 2019 · first to report
- Genetics of species-specific birdsong revealed Hokkaido University · Nov 13, 2019