Vocal production learning, the ability to modify the structure of vocalizations as a result of hearing those of others, has been studied extensively in birds but less attention has been given to its occurrence in mammals. We summarize the available evidence for vocal learning in mammals from the last 25 years, updating earlier reviews on the subject. The clearest evidence comes from cetaceans, pinnipeds, elephants and bats where species have been found to copy artificial or human language sounds, or match acoustic models of different sound types. Vocal convergence, in which parameter adjustments within one sound type result in similarities between individuals, occurs in a wider range of mammalian orders with additional evidence from primates, mole-rats, goats and mice. Currently, the underlying mechanisms for convergence are unclear with vocal production learning but also usage learning or matching physiological states being possible explanations. For experimental studies, we highlight the importance of quantitative comparisons of seemingly learned sounds with vocal repertoires before learning started or with species repertoires to confirm novelty. Further studies on the mammalian orders presented here as well as others are needed to explore learning skills and limitations in greater detail.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vocal learning in animals and humans’.

发声学习，即通过听到其他人的声音而改变发声结构的能力，已在鸟类中进行了广泛的研究，但对它在哺乳动物中发生的关注较少。我们总结了过去 25 年来哺乳动物声音学习的可用证据，更新了有关该主题的早期评论。最明确的证据来自鲸类、鳍足类动物、大象和蝙蝠，这些物种被发现复制人工或人类语言的声音，或匹配不同声音类型的声学模型。声音收敛，其中一种声音类型内的参数调整导致个体之间的相似性，发生在更广泛的哺乳动物命令中，并有来自灵长类动物、鼹鼠、山羊和小鼠的额外证据。目前，发声学习的潜在收敛机制尚不清楚，但使用学习或匹配的生理状态也是可能的解释。对于实验研究，我们强调在学习开始之前将看似已学的声音与声乐曲目或与物种曲目进行定量比较的重要性，以确认新颖性。需要对此处介绍的哺乳动物命令以及其他命令进行进一步研究，以更详细地探索学习技能和局限性。

这篇文章是主题问题“动物和人类的声音学习”的一部分。