The Integrative Biology of Vocal Communication

这项拟议中的研究将开发一种新的哺乳动物物种，阿尔斯顿的歌唱老鼠，作为理解声音交流机制和进化的模型。在生态学和进化水平上，这项研究将研究阿尔斯顿的歌唱老鼠和一种密切相关的同类奇里基歌唱老鼠之间的共同出现区是否导致了更独特的、物种特异性的叫声。这种模式被称为字符位移，被认为是新生（最近）物种形成的一个组成部分。在机制层面上，这些研究将揭示Foxp2的重要性，Foxp2是第一个与人类语言和发声有关的基因，对唱歌的老鼠产生呼叫具有重要意义。Foxp2的表达将定位于唱歌小鼠的大脑中。接下来，将使用基因治疗方法操纵Foxp2在特定大脑区域的表达。通过这样做，这项工作将为研究塑造哺乳动物交流的生态和进化压力以及这些力量塑造的分子基质奠定基础。这项研究还涉及在几个地点进行大量外联活动。首先，这些数据将被整合到一个关于“语言、基因和进化”的模块中，并在一个大型的大学入门讲座（约600名学生）中教授。其次，这些老鼠将被用于一个中学外展计划。最后，这项工作将支持中美洲的国际合作。

The proposed research will develop a novel mammalian species, Alston's singing mouse, as a model for understanding the mechanisms and evolution of vocal communication. At ecological and evolutionary levels, the research will examine whether zones of co-occurrence between the Alston's singing mouse and a closely related congener, the Chiriqui singing mouse, have resulted in more distinctive, species-specific calls. Such a pattern is known as character displacement and is considered a component of nascent (recent) speciation. At a mechanistic level, the studies will shed light on the importance of Foxp2, the first gene implicated in human language and vocalization, to the production of calls by singing mice. The expression of Foxp2 will be localized in the brains of singing mice. Next the expression of Foxp2 in specific brain regions will be manipulated using gene-therapy methods. By doing so, the work will lay a foundation for investigating the ecological and evolutionary pressures shaping mammalian communication, as well as the molecular substrates that have been shaped by such forces. The research also involves substantial outreach in several venues. First, the data will be integrated into a module on "Language, Genes, and Evolution" to be taught in a large introductory college lecture (ca 600 students). Secondly, the mice will be used in a middle school outreach program. Lastly, the work will support international collaborations in Central America.