A comparative study of surface preparations of the organ of Corti of the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus Erxleben 1777) and the ringed seal (Pusa hispida). 1. Sensory cell population and density.

Abstract

The surface preparation technique was used to estimate the sensory cell population and density in the organ of Corti of seven harp seals and four ringed seals. The average total of inner hair cells for the harp seal was 3654 (3078–263) as compared with an average total of 3232 (3120–3354) in the ringed seal. The average total number of outer hair cells in the harp seal was 14 318 (12 173 – 15 709) as compared with an average total of 13 497 (12 903 – 14 894).The distribution of outer and inner hair cells showed an increase in density from base to apex. An increase in density of about 21% and 29% was observed in the inner hair cells of the ringed and harp seal. The increase in density for each row of outer hair cells was 21% in the harp seal and 17% in the ringed seal. The density of outer hair cells per unit surface area decreased from a maximum value at the base to about half its value at the apex.The average total sensory cells of seals exceeded the average total sensory cells of both man and dolphin but were within the range of variation of the human.