Abstract
Empirical measurements of odontocete hearing are limited to captive individuals, constituting a fraction of species across the suborder. Data from more species could be available if such measurements were collected from unrestrained animals in the wild. This study investigated whether electrophysiological hearing data could be recorded from a trained harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) using a non-invasive, animal-attached tag. The results demonstrate that auditory brainstem responses to external and self-generated stimuli can be measured from a stationary odontocete using an animal-attached recorder. With additional development, tag-based electrophysiological platforms may facilitate the collection of hearing data from freely swimming odontocetes in the wild.
Highlights
Hearing is a vital sensory modality in echolocating bats and toothed whales
The results demonstrate that auditory brainstem responses to external and self-generated stimuli can be measured from a stationary odontocete using an animal-attached recorder
Electrophysiological hearing tests involve the measurement of time-averaged auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) elicited by the presentation of acoustic stimuli in the auditory nerve, brainstem, and large auditory centers of the odontocete brain that can be measured noninvasively from the surface of the skin with electrodes attached with suction cups
Summary
Hearing is a vital sensory modality in echolocating bats and toothed whales. Information gained from echolocation is derived from the reception and processing of the returning echo signal by the auditory system. Electrophysiological hearing tests involve the measurement of time-averaged auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) elicited by the presentation of acoustic stimuli in the auditory nerve, brainstem, and large auditory centers of the odontocete brain that can be measured noninvasively from the surface of the skin with electrodes attached with suction cups.. Electrophysiological hearing tests involve the measurement of time-averaged auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) elicited by the presentation of acoustic stimuli in the auditory nerve, brainstem, and large auditory centers of the odontocete brain that can be measured noninvasively from the surface of the skin with electrodes attached with suction cups.2 While this method is less sensitive than behavioral tests, resulting in overestimation of auditory thresholds, it is less time consuming and more economical. As a first step toward assessing the feasibility of making such measurements, here we investigated whether ABRs could be measured from a stationary harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) with suction-cup-attached digital tags (“DTAGs,” constructed by author M.J.) that recorded an electroencephalogram (EEG) data stream
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