All together now, with feeling:
Mice can sing. Not just the ultrasonic serenade that the rodents use
solo to attract a mate. They can sing together in a group.
Scientists at Tulane University in New Orleans have discovered that
when two male mice were housed together, they tune their pitch. Yes,
like a choir. A teeny choir of mice.
The study is surprising, notes
the Telegraph, because singing in pitch is a trait thought to be found
only in the Beach Boys or, rather, "humans, bats and a handful of bird
and large-mammal species." Yes, we're picturing a Disney movie, too.
Dr. Erich Jarvis, a neurobiologist who oversaw the study, told the Telegraph,
"We are claiming that mice have limited versions of the brain and
behavior traits for vocal learning that are found in humans for learning
speech and in birds for learning song." He added that ability in mice
to sing was not as advanced as in humans. (Alas, no mouse version of
Justin Bieber just yet.)
But starting "American Idol" for
rodents is not the goal of the study. The research could advance
learning in human disorders. Says Jarvis, "If we're not wrong, these
findings will be a big boost to scientists studying diseases like
autism and anxiety disorders." He added, "The researchers who use mouse
models of the vocal communication effects of these diseases will
finally know the brain system that controls the mice's vocalizations."