Auditory representation of autogenous song in the song system of white-crowned sparrows

Abstract

The HVc (hyperstriatum ventrale, pars caudale) is a forebrain nucleus in the motor pathway for the control of song. Neurons in the HVc also exhibit auditory responses. A subset of these auditory neurons in the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) have been shown to be highly selective for the individual bird's own (autogenous) song. By using multiunit recording techniques to sample from a large population, we demonstrate that the entire population of auditory neurons in the HVc is selective for autogenous song. The selectivity of these neurons must reflect the song-learning process, for the acoustic parameters of a sparrow's song are acquired by learning. By testing with laboratory-reared birds, we show that HVc auditory neurons prefer autogenous song over the tutor model to which the birds were exposed early in life. Thus, these neurons must be specified at or after the time song crystallizes. Since song is learned by reference to auditory feedback, HVc auditory neurons may guide the development of the motor program for song. The maintenance of a precise auditory representation of autogenous song into adulthood can contribute to the ability to distinguish the fine differences among conspecific songs.