AUTHOR=Ravignani Andrea , Fitch W. Tecumseh , Hanke Frederike D. , Heinrich Tamara , Hurgitsch Bettina , Kotz Sonja A. , Scharff Constance , Stoeger Angela S. , de Boer Bart 

TITLE=What Pinnipeds Have to Say about Human Speech, Music, and the Evolution of Rhythm

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2016.00274

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2016.00274

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=<p>Research on the evolution of human speech and music benefits from hypotheses and data generated in a number of disciplines. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the high relevance of pinniped research for the study of speech, musical rhythm, and their origins, bridging and complementing current research on primates and birds. We briefly discuss speech, vocal learning, and rhythm from an evolutionary and comparative perspective. We review the current state of the art on pinniped communication and behavior relevant to the evolution of human speech and music, showing interesting parallels to hypotheses on rhythmic behavior in early hominids. We suggest future research directions in terms of species to test and empirical data needed.</p>