Perception of sounds used in species-specific communication: the auditory cortex and beyond.
The auditory cortex, located in the superior temporal gyrus, has been studied in squirrel monkeys with respect to its role in detecting species-specific vocalizations. Single neurons tested with selected vocalizations from the species' repertoire have been grouped into seven functional categories. Each category reflects a different level of processing with regard to vocalizations and artificial sounds. It is argued that, while the auditory cortex has the capability to detect and distinguish species-specific vocalizations, the interpretation of their biological significance likely takes place elsewhere.
D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012453:Saimiri / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology