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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2021-05, Vol.22 (10), p.5397
Main Authors: Beccacece, Livia, Abondio, Paolo, Cilli, Elisabetta, Restani, Donatella, Luiselli, Donata
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Animals
Babies
Biological Evolution
Brain
Cognitive ability
Communication
Comparative studies
Dopamine
Emotions
Evolution
Genes
Genome, Human - genetics
Genomics - methods
Humans
Hypotheses
Language
Listening
Music
Musical instruments
Paleolithic
Passeri
Physiology
Review
Singing
Success
Vocalization behavior
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms22105397