Projections of the High Vocal Center and Its Shell,and Distribution of Substance P in the Vocal Auditory Center in Emberiza elegans

Using the neural tracer biotinylated dextran amine and the immunohistochemical methods,we found that high vocal center (HVc) in Emberiza elegans received projections from the auditory area-field (L),nucleus interfacialis of midneostriatum,magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (MAN),nucleus uvaeformis,and locus ceruleus of pons;HVc projected to the robust archistriatum (RA) and area X of lobus(X).HVc shell projected to the RA cup and received from L.As there were many neural connections among the vocal control and learning pathway,and the auditory center,vocal learning may depend on a feedback of listening senses.Substance P (SP) labeled neurons distributed in HVc,RA and MAN.SP labeled fibers and terminals distributed in X,the nucleus dorsalis medialis,the nucleus hypoglossi,pars tracheosyringealis,the nucleus ovoidalis shell,the shell of mesencephalicus lateralis,pars dorsalis,and the nucleus intercollicularis.SP widely distributed in vocal-auditory centers,and may involve in their activities.