Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 1 h ago, last 1 h ago, peak #2

DNA study traces all 4,000 songbird species to ancient Gondwana

Original: 🐦 NEW: # DNA evidence traces all 4,000 songbird species back to # Australia and the ancient supercontinent # Gondwana .

New DNA evidence indicates that all 4,000 songbird species originated in Australia and the ancient supercontinent Gondwana before spreading across the world. The findings also highlight songbirds as one of the few groups of animals, alongside parrots, hummingbirds and humans, that learn their songs from parents and peers rather than through instinct, deepening interest in their evolutionary and cognitive significance.

Why now: A major new scientific finding on the origin and vocal learning of songbirds has just been reported.

songbirdsAustraliaGondwanaparrotshummingbirds

Open on mastodon →

Evidence

• 🐦 NEW: # DNA evidence traces all 4,000 songbird species back to # Australia and the ancient supercontinent # Gondwana . # Songbirds are among the few # animals , alongside # parrots , # hummingbirds , and # humans , that learn their # songs from parents and peers rather than… · tksst@fediscience.org · 4

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/399844