The Physiological Control of Mammalian Vocalization

To the majority of biologists, the physiological control of mammalian vocalizations is only a small part of the large field of motor physiology. It is indeed a very specialized part, and the number of scientists dealing with it is relatively small. Still, it is an autonomous subject embracing more than the motor control of the body and is, therefore, by far more complex. Anatomically, essential cerebral structures involved in the control of gross and fine movements of the mammalian body seem to participate in the control of the voice as well. The central control system, however, as well as the larynx (the primary effector organ), possess features not found in the remaining motor system. An example is the perfect synergism of the many muscles which control the m. vocaZis, not to speak of the speed of successions in which this occurs. Furthermore, this muscle, similar to the facial muscles, is segmentally adjustable independently of the joints. The most remarkable feature of the central control area, however, seems to be the effector organ's manifold direct and indirect dependence on the limbic system of the brain. This makes the voice--like no other motor organ (with the partial exception of the facial musculature)--the chief organ for the expression of emotion and the indicator of behavioral states. Except in man, the voice is in­ dependent of neocortical control. Animal vocalizations are species­ typical and genetically programmed. Ethologically, they belong to the behavioral class of fixed action patterns.

Contenu

and Brainstem Mechanisms.- Investigating the Physiological Control of Mammalian Vocalizations.- On the Motor Coordination of Monkey Calls.- Functional Neural Pathways for Vocalization in the Domestic Cat.- Studies on the Relation of the Midbrain Periaqueductal Gray, the Larynx, and Vocalization in Awake Monkeys.- Neural Control of Vocalization in Bats at Peripheral to Midbrain Levels.- Auditory-vocal Integration in the Midbrain of the Mustached Bat: Periaqueductal Gray and Reticular Formation.- The Coordination of Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Activation During Phonatory and Non-phonatory Tasks.- Forebrain Mechanisms.- The Feline Isolation Call.- Amygdaloid Electrical Activity in Response to Conspecific Calls in Squirrel Monkey (S. sciureus): Influence of Environmental Setting, Cortical Inputs, and Recording Site.- The Central Control of Biosonar Signal Production in Bats Demonstrated by Microstimulation of Anterior Cingulate Cortex in the Echolocating Bat, Pteronotus parnelli parnelli.- Evolution of Audiovocal Communication as Reflected by the Therapsidmammalian Transition and the Limbic Thalamocingulate Division.- Structure and Connections of the Cingulate Vocalization Region in Rhesus Monkey.- Cingulate Gyrus and Supplementary Motor Correlates of Vocalization in Man.- Neural Correlates of Audio-Vocal Behavior Properties of Anterior Limbic Cortex and Related Areas.- Neurochemical Mechanisms and Biobehavioral Correlates.- Neural and Neurochemical Control of Separation Distress Call.- Ontogeny of Adrenergic and Opioid Effects on Separation Vocalizations in Rats.- Primate Models for the Management of Separation Anxiety.- Rat Pup Ultrasonic Isolation Calls and Benzodiazepine Receptor.- Drug Effects on Primate Alarm Vocalizations.- Endocrine and Neurochemical Sequelae of Primate Vocalizations.- Early Detection of the Infant at Risk Through Cry Analysis.- Influence of Infant Cry Structure on Heart Rate of the Listener.