The effect of sound duration on rate–amplitude functions of inferior collicular neurons in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus

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During echolocation, the amplitude and duration of echo pulses of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, covary throughout the entire course of hunting. The purpose of this study was to examine if variation in sound duration might affect the amplitude selectivity of inferior collicular (IC) neurons of this bat species under free-field stimulation conditions. A family of rate–amplitude functions of each IC neuron was obtained with different sound durations. The effect of sound duration on the neuron’s amplitude selectivity was then studied by examining the type, best amplitude, dynamic range and slope of each rate–amplitude function. The rate–amplitude functions of 83 IC neurons determined with different sound durations were either monotonic, saturated or non-monotonic. Neurons with monotonic rate–amplitude functions had the highest best amplitude, largest dynamic range but smallest slope. Neurons with non-monotonic rate–amplitude functions had the lowest best amplitude, smallest dynamic range but largest slope. The best amplitude, dynamic range and slope of neurons with saturated rate–amplitude functions were intermediate between these two types. Rate–amplitude functions of one group (47, 57%) of IC neurons changed from one type to another with sound duration and one-third of these neurons were tuned to sound duration. As a result, the best amplitude, dynamic range, and slope also varied with sound duration. However, rate–amplitude functions of the other group (36, 43%) of IC neurons were hardly affected by sound duration and two-thirds of these neurons were tuned to sound duration. Biological relevance of these findings in relation to bat echolocation is discussed.