Comparative studies of vocal learning and vocal non-learning animals can increase our understanding of the neurobiology and evolution of vocal learning and human speech. Mammalian vocal learning is understudied: most research has either focused on vocal learning in songbirds or its absence in non-human primates. Here we focus on a highly promising model species for the neurobiology of vocal learning: grey seals. We provide a neuroanatomical atlas (based on dissected brain slices and magnetic resonance images), a labelled MRI template, a 3D model with volumetric measurements of brain regions, and histological cortical stainings. Four main features of the grey seal brain stand out. (1) It is relatively big and highly convoluted. (2) It hosts a relatively large temporal lobe and cerebellum, structures which could support developed timing abilities and acoustic processing. (3) The cortex is similar to humans in thickness and shows the expected six-layered mammalian structure. (4) Expression of FoxP2 - a gene involved in vocal learning and spoken language - is present in deeper layers of the cortex. Our results could facilitate future studies targeting the neural and genetic underpinnings of mammalian vocal learning, thus bridging the research gap from songbirds to humans and non-human primates.

中文翻译：

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灰海豹大脑的神经解剖学：将钉住的人带入声音学习的神经生物学研究中

对语音学习和非语音动物的比较研究可以增进我们对语音生物学和人类语音的神经生物学和进化的理解。对哺乳动物的声音学习的研究不足：大多数研究要么专注于鸣禽的声音学习，要么不存在于非人类灵长类动物中。在这里，我们专注于语音学习的神经生物学的一种很有前途的模型物种：灰海豹。我们提供了神经解剖学地图集（基于解剖的脑切片和磁共振图像），标记的MRI模板，带有大脑区域的体积测量值的3D模型以及组织学皮层染色。灰色海豹大脑的四个主要特征脱颖而出。（1）它相对较大且高度复杂。（2）它具有较大的颞叶和小脑，可以支持发达的计时能力和声学处理的结构。（3）皮质的厚度与人类相似，显示出预期的六层哺乳动物结构。（4）FoxP2的表达-涉及语音学习和口语的基因-存在于皮层的较深层。我们的结果可以促进针对哺乳动物声音学习的神经和遗传基础的未来研究，从而弥合从鸣禽到人类和非人类灵长类动物的研究差距。