Abstract
Auditory representation in the cerebellum of the mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii parnellii, was studied with microelectrode mapping technique. This study reveals that a large area of the bat's cerebellum contains units responding to acoustic stimuli. A study of the frequency representation and frequency tuning of the recorded units show that auditory specialization for processing of species-specific echolocation sounds also exists in its cerebellum. There is a large number of units with best frequencies between 60 and 64 kHz. These units have extremely sharp threshold curves with a Q10-dB value as high as 394. These auditory units are organized into a fractured pattern of small patches within which units are tonotopically organized. The units also appear to be columnarly assembled according to their best frequencies. Although different in sensory modality, such a finding is highly comparable to the fractured somatotopy in the tactile areas of cerebellar hemispheres [Shambes et al. Brain Behav. Evol. 15, 94–140 (1975)] [Work supported by NSF 80-07348 and USPH 1-K04-NS00433 to P. Jen.]
Published Version
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