Neural FoxP2 and FoxP1 expression in the budgerigar, an avian species with adult vocal learning

摘要: Vocal learning underlies acquisition of both language in humans and vocal signals some avian taxa. These bird groups exhibit convergent developmental phases associated brain pathways for communication. The transcription factor FoxP2 plays critical roles songbirds. Another member the forkhead box gene family, FoxP1 also shows high expression areas involved production. Here, we investigate mRNA protein adult male budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), a parrot species that exhibits as juveniles adults. To examine these molecules learners, compared their patterns budgerigar striatal nucleus learning, magnocellular medial striatum (MMSt), across birds with different states, such vocalizing to female (directed), alone (undirected), non-vocalizing. We found expressions were consistently lower MMSt than adjacent regardless whereas previous work has shown songbirds down-regulation homologous region, Area X, only after singing alone. In contrast, levels all groups. Taken together results strengthen general hypothesis have specialized nuclei range taxa, suggest plasticity seen may be product persistent MMSt.