Complex sound source determination: Behavioral studies on goldfish

Abstract

A series of experiments is reported on complex sound perception in goldfish using classical respiratory conditioning and a stimulus generalization paradigm. In general, animals are initially conditioned to a simple or complex sound, and then tested for generalization to novel sounds that differ systematically from the conditioning sound along one or more stimulus dimensions. Generalization gradients to the novel sound set indicate what sounds are perceived as similar or dissimilar, and what features of sounds are analyzed or attended to during conditioning and generalization testing. So far, these kinds of experiments have demonstrated perceptual dimensions in goldfish that resemble the dimensions of pure tone pitch, complex pitch, timbre, and roughness as perceived by humans. In addition, several experiments have revealed auditory stream segregation in goldfish that resembles that demonstrated for human listeners. It is concluded that goldfish share with humans a sense of hearing that is primitive for vertebrates, and is likely shared with most other vertebrate species. At a qualitative level, at least, goldfish know what we know about sounds and their sources. [Work supported by the NIH, NIDCD.]