The rhythm of birdsong may have a genetic basis

The rhythm and tempo of the song of the birds may be influenced by two genes that also affect human speech, according to research that has studied these characteristics in two types of birds; the yellow-fronted bearded and the red-fronted.

A study led by the University of Cyprus and published in Nature Communications, identified the genes neurexin-1 and coenzyme Q8A associated with vocal rhythm and suggests that since rhythm is omnipresent in animal communication, these can shape that of other birds and vertebrates.

Although some aspects of bird song are learned, rhythm is thought to be an innate trait in most species and plays an important role in sexual selection and species recognition.

The team measured the singing rhythms of yellow- and red-fronted barbets in a region of southern Africa where both species have hybridized. They also analyzed 135 individual complete genomes of those species to identify the two genes mentioned.

In the area where both species have hybridized, the team observed that red-fronted barbets sing a faster and more stable song, suggesting that rhythm may play a role in reproductive isolation.

Female red-fronted barbets could use that rhythm to choose mates of their own species and avoid hybridizing with yellow-fronted birds.

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