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Patterns of evolution in human speech processing and animal communication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 1998

Michael J. Ryan
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 mryan@mail.utexas.edunmkime@mail.utexas.edufishman@mail.utexas.edu uts.cc.utexas.edu/~ryanlab/
Nicole M. Kime
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 mryan@mail.utexas.edunmkime@mail.utexas.edufishman@mail.utexas.edu uts.cc.utexas.edu/~ryanlab/
Gil G. Rosenthal
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712 mryan@mail.utexas.edunmkime@mail.utexas.edufishman@mail.utexas.edu uts.cc.utexas.edu/~ryanlab/

Abstract

We consider Sussman et al.'s suggestion that auditory biases for processing low-noise relationships among pairs of acoustic variables is a preadaptation for human speech processing. Data from other animal communication systems, especially those involving sexual selection, also suggest that neural biases in the receiver system can generate strong selection on the form of communication signals.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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