Vocal repertoire expansion in singing mice by co-opting a conserved midbrain circuit node.

ABSTRACT: How neural circuits generate diverse behaviors is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Distinct behavioral outputs may arise from either dedicated motor circuits or shared circuits operating in different functional states. Although multifunctional circuits offer an efficient solution for behavioral flexibility and may drive rapid evolutionary adaptations, their neural mechanisms remain poorly understood, especially in mammals. Here, we leverage the rich vocal repertoire of the singing mouse (Scotinomys teguina) to investigate the organizational logic of multifunctional motor circuits. We developed a behavioral assay (partial acoustic isolation reveals identity [PAIRId]) that enables precise attribution of vocalizations during social interactions. This paradigm revealed two distinct voca

SUBMITTER: Zheng XM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12721576 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature