Rodents mimic, learn complex sounds: Experts  London: Rodents
can mimic and learn complex calls and sounds, scientists have
found.  Male mice, who use high-pitched love songs to woo
females, also change their tune when there is competition
around, the findings suggest.  This ability, known as local
learning, had been thought to be limited to people, as well as
some birds, dolphins, whales, bats, elephants and seals, the
Daily Mail reported Thursday.  The finding could help shed light
on autism and other conditions in characterised by problems in
communication.  It was already known that male mice whistle or
sing when trying to court females but it was assumed that their
ultrasonic cries are produced instinctively, with little thought
going into the process.  The research was conducted by a team
from Duke University in North Carolina, US.