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Seals and Sea Lions Evolved Human-Like Vocal Learning Brains
Key Takeaways
- Seals and sea lions have independently evolved brain structures associated with vocal learning, similar to humans and songbirds
- MRI imaging shows expanded vocal motor cortex regions with direct audio-motor pathways in pinnipeds
- Famous harbor seal Hoover's ability to produce English phrases now has a clear neurological explanation
- The finding represents convergent evolution of vocal learning across widely separate lineages
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DT Editorial Team··4 min read·via science.org