Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music
Music is an exclusive feature of humankind. It can be considered as a form of universal communication, only partly comparable to the vocalizations of songbirds. Many trends of research in this field try to address music origins, as well as the genetic bases of musicality. On one hand, several hypoth...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5397 |
| _version_ | 1797533325450018816 |
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| author | Livia Beccacece Paolo Abondio Elisabetta Cilli Donatella Restani Donata Luiselli |
| author_facet | Livia Beccacece Paolo Abondio Elisabetta Cilli Donatella Restani Donata Luiselli |
| author_sort | Livia Beccacece |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Music is an exclusive feature of humankind. It can be considered as a form of universal communication, only partly comparable to the vocalizations of songbirds. Many trends of research in this field try to address music origins, as well as the genetic bases of musicality. On one hand, several hypotheses have been made on the evolution of music and its role, but there is still debate, and comparative studies suggest a gradual evolution of some abilities underlying musicality in primates. On the other hand, genome-wide studies highlight several genes associated with musical aptitude, confirming a genetic basis for different musical skills which humans show. Moreover, some genes associated with musicality are involved also in singing and song learning in songbirds, suggesting a likely evolutionary convergence between humans and songbirds. This comprehensive review aims at presenting the concept of music as a sociocultural manifestation within the current debate about its biocultural origin and evolutionary function, in the context of the most recent discoveries related to the cross-species genetics of musical production and perception. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:12:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-20d38219a34743609c0d50cf8b5657f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:12:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-20d38219a34743609c0d50cf8b5657f52023-11-21T20:38:25ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-05-012210539710.3390/ijms22105397Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of MusicLivia Beccacece0Paolo Abondio1Elisabetta Cilli2Donatella Restani3Donata Luiselli4Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyLaboratory of Molecular Anthropology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDepartment of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyDepartment of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna—Ravenna Campus, 48121 Ravenna, ItalyMusic is an exclusive feature of humankind. It can be considered as a form of universal communication, only partly comparable to the vocalizations of songbirds. Many trends of research in this field try to address music origins, as well as the genetic bases of musicality. On one hand, several hypotheses have been made on the evolution of music and its role, but there is still debate, and comparative studies suggest a gradual evolution of some abilities underlying musicality in primates. On the other hand, genome-wide studies highlight several genes associated with musical aptitude, confirming a genetic basis for different musical skills which humans show. Moreover, some genes associated with musicality are involved also in singing and song learning in songbirds, suggesting a likely evolutionary convergence between humans and songbirds. This comprehensive review aims at presenting the concept of music as a sociocultural manifestation within the current debate about its biocultural origin and evolutionary function, in the context of the most recent discoveries related to the cross-species genetics of musical production and perception.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5397musicmusicalitygeneticsevolutionexpressionadaptation |
| spellingShingle | Livia Beccacece Paolo Abondio Elisabetta Cilli Donatella Restani Donata Luiselli Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music International Journal of Molecular Sciences music musicality genetics evolution expression adaptation |
| title | Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music |
| title_full | Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music |
| title_fullStr | Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music |
| title_short | Human Genomics and the Biocultural Origin of Music |
| title_sort | human genomics and the biocultural origin of music |
| topic | music musicality genetics evolution expression adaptation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5397 |
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