美国洛克菲勒大学野外研究中心Erich D. Jarvis和Jean-Nicolas Audet共同合作，近期取得重要工作进展。他们研究发现，表现出更复杂声音学习能力的鸣禽能够更好地解决问题，并且拥有更大的大脑。相关研究成果2023年9月15日在线发表于《科学》杂志上。

据介绍，复杂的声音学习是人类口语的重要组成部分，被认为与更高级的认知能力有关。在物种内的个体之间对这一假设的检验尚无定论，在物种间也没有进行过实验检测。

研究人员测量了23种鸟类的214只个体（其中包括19种野生捕获的鸣禽，两种家养鸣禽和两种野生捕获的声乐非学习物种）的一系列认知技能，即解决问题，联想和逆向学习以及自我控制。研究发现，一个物种的声音学习能力越强，他们解决问题的能力就越好，大脑也相对越大。在控制非认知变量和系统发育时，这些结论成立。

总之，这一研究支持了一种假设，即鸣禽在声乐学习、解决问题和更大的大脑之间存在共同的遗传和认知机制。

附：英文全文

Title: Songbird species that display more-complex vocal learning are better problem-solvers and have larger brains

Author: Jean-Nicolas Audet, Mélanie Couture, Erich D. Jarvis

Issue&Volume: 2023-09-15

Abstract: Complex vocal learning, a critical component of human spoken language, has been assumed to be associated with more-advanced cognitive abilities. Tests of this hypothesis between individuals within a species have been inconclusive and have not been done across species. In this work, we measured an array of cognitive skills—namely, problem-solving, associative and reversal learning, and self-control—across 214 individuals of 23 bird species, including 19 wild-caught songbird species, two domesticated songbird species, and two wild-caught vocal nonlearning species. We found that the greater the vocal learning abilities of a species, the better their problem-solving skills and the relatively larger their brains. These conclusions held when controlling for noncognitive variables and phylogeny. Our results support a hypothesis of shared genetic and cognitive mechanisms between vocal learning, problem-solving, and bigger brains in songbirds.

DOI: adh3428

Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh3428