Bass A H
Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
Brain Behav Evol. 1989;33(4):237-47. doi: 10.1159/000115931.
Among vertebrates, there are a number of different neuromuscular systems specialized for the production of acoustic and electric social communication signals. Each system involves distinct sets of striated muscles that are derived from paraxial mesodermal somites and are components of a peripheral effector or 'communication organ': the larynx and syrinx of tetrapods, the sonic swim bladder and electric organ of fishes. Each of these systems further exhibits species-typical characters ranging from the number of muscles involved to myofibrillar architecture. Given that communication uses striated muscle, its circuitry is seen to represent a modification of existing motor systems. Thus, it is not surprising that these systems share several features suggesting that common mechanical or developmental factors influence their evolution. Of prime importance in comparing central communication circuitry between fishes and tetrapods is that among tetrapods the sound-generating organs are a part of the ventilatory system and so their activity must be coordinated with other sets of neuromuscular units. Differences in the central pattern of circuitry are thus expected between fishes and tetrapods, as well as among tetrapods themselves, since ventilation mechanisms differ between taxa. Moreover, birds have independently evolved a vocal syrinx which is distinctly separate from their larynx.
在脊椎动物中，有许多不同的神经肌肉系统专门用于产生声学和电社交通讯信号。每个系统都涉及不同的横纹肌群，这些肌群源自轴旁中胚层体节，是外周效应器或“通讯器官”的组成部分：四足动物的喉和鸣管、鱼类的发声鱼鳔和电器官。这些系统中的每一个进一步表现出物种特有的特征，从涉及的肌肉数量到肌原纤维结构。鉴于通讯使用横纹肌，其神经回路被视为对现有运动系统的一种改造。因此，这些系统具有若干共同特征也就不足为奇了，这表明共同的机械或发育因素影响了它们的进化。在比较鱼类和四足动物的中枢通讯神经回路时，最重要的一点是，在四足动物中，发声器官是呼吸系统的一部分，因此它们的活动必须与其他神经肌肉单元组协调。因此，鱼类和四足动物之间以及四足动物自身之间，由于不同类群的通气机制不同，神经回路的中枢模式预计会有所差异。此外，鸟类独立进化出了一个与它们的喉明显分开的发声鸣管。
