Amino acid patterns in independent lineages of vocal learning and other birds give insights into convergent evolution

• DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaf112
• Publication Date: 2025-06-02T07:49:23Z
• Authors: Chul Lee; Seoae Cho; Kyu-Won Kim; Dongahn Yoo; Matthew Davenport; Jae Yong Han; Hong Jo Lee; Gregory Gedman; Jean-Nicolas Audet; Erina Hara; Miriam Rivas; Osceola Whitney; Andreas R Pfenning; Heebal Kim; Erich D Jarvis
• Keywords: Convergent evolution; Vocal Learning; Trait; Polyphyly

Abstract Vocal learning, the ability to imitate sounds and a component of spoken language, is complex convergent trait observed in only few independent lineages mammals birds. Clear gene expression convergences have been found vocal learning brain regions among several learners, but amino acid remain an open question. Here, we investigated whether avian clades that could be related their specialized trait. We developed tool, Convergent Sequence Variant finder (CSV finder), applied alignment 48 species representing nearly all bird orders, identified single variants learners most polyphyletic combinations. discovered numbers were associated with product branch lengths recent common ancestors each combination. The number did not exceed control However, subset genes learner-specific was uniquely enriched ‘learning’ process, under positive selection, supported by meta-analyses for FOXP2 targets, singing-induced regulation, differential song nuclei. Moreover, confirmed patterns still 363 densely sampled across tree. propose hypothesis steady state background nucleotide convergence upon which selection acts traits, deeper time ancestor higher proportions genetic changes.