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=Volume 10 - 2016

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=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 human origins, bridging current research with primates and birds. We briefly discuss speech, vocal learning and rhythm from an evolutionary, comparative perspective. We review the current state of knowledge on pinniped communication and behaviour relevant to the evolution of human speech and music, showing interesting parallels to hypotheses on rhythmic behaviour in early hominids. We suggest future research directions in terms of species to test and empirical data needed.