Abstract
Bats of the genus Rhinolophus provide a natural experiment to inquire into the cochlear mechanisms involved in exceptional high tuning to a narrow frequency range. The main features of their auditory system, namely the sharp tuning to the species- and individual specific constant frequency * (CF-) component of the echolocation call and the overrepresentation of this frequency range at all stations of the auditory pathway, are established in the inner ear (review: Neuweiler et. al., 1980). Within the frequency range of the CF-component, frequency threshold curves of single units are unusually narrow (Fig. 1A) and their tuning characteristics are enhanced to Q10dB values up to 400 as compared to values typically not exceeding 20 in other frequency regions, the latter corresponding to the common mammalian frequency selectivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bruns, V. (1976a) Peripheral auditory tuning for fine frequency analysis by the CF-FM bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. I. Mechanical specializations of the cochlea. J. comp. Physiol., 106, 77–86.
Bruns, V . (1976b) Peripheral auditory tuning for fine frequency analysis by the CF-FM bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. II. Frequency mapping in the cochlea. J. comp. Physiol., 106, 87–97.
Bruns, V. and Goldbach, M. (1980) Hair cells and tectorial membrane in the cochlea of the Greater horseshoe bat. Anat. Embryol., 161, 51–63.
Bruns, V. and Schmieszek, E. (1980) Cochlear innervation in the Greater horseshoe bat: Demonstration of an acoustic fovea. Hearing Res., 3, 27–43.
Duifhuis, H. and Vater, M. (1986) On the mechanics of the horseshoe bat cochlea. Ins Peripheral auditory mechanisms, Eds. J.W. Allan, J.L. Hall, A. Hubbard, S.T. Neely, A. Tubis, pp.89–96. Heidelberg Springer
Feng, A.-S. and Vater, M. (1985) Functional organization of the cochlear nucleus of roufous Horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus rouxi): Frequencies and internal connections are arranged in slabs. J. comp. Neurol., 235, 529–555.
Henson, M.M . (1978) The basilar membrane of the bat, Pteronotus p. par-nellii. Am. J. Anat. 153, 143–158.
Kössl, M. and Vater, M. (1985) The cochlear frequency map of the mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii. J. comp. Physiol., 157, 687–697.
Kraus, H.-J. (1983) Vergleichende und funktionelle Cochlea-Morphologie der Fledermausarten Rhinopoma hardwickei, Hipposideros speoris und Hipposideros fulvus mit Hilfe einer computergestütz ten Rekonstruk- tionsmethode. Inaug. Diss. Universität Frankfurt 1983.
Matthews, J.W. (1980) Mechanical modeling of nonlinear phenomena observed in the peripheral auditory system. Doct. diss. Washington Univ., St. Louis MO, 1980.
Neuweiler, G., Bruns, V. and Schuller, G. (1980) Ears adapted for the detection of motion, or how echolocating bats have exploited the capacities of the mammalian auditory system. J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 68, 741–753.
Schnitzler, H.-U., Suga, N. and Simmons, J.A. (1976) Peripheral auditory tuning for fine frequency analysis by the CF-FM bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. J. comp. Physiol., 106, 99–110.
Steele, C.R. and Zais, J. (1983) Basilar membrane and cochlear response. In: Mechanics of Hearing, Ed. Steele, C.R. and Zais, J, pp. 29–36. The Haguei Martinus Nijhoff and Delft University Press.
Vater, M., Feng, A.S. and Betz, M. (1985) An HRP-study of the frequency-place map of the horseshoe bat cochlea; Morphological correlates of the sharp tuning to a narrow frequency band. J. comp. Physiol., 157, 671–686.
Wilson, J.P. and Bruns, V. (1983a) Middle ear mechanics in the CF-bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Hearing Res. 9, 1–13.
Wilson, J.P. and Bruns, V. (1983b) Basilar membrane tuning properties in the specialised cochlea of the CF-bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. Hearing Res. 10, 15 - 35.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vater, M., Duifhuis, H. (1986). Ultra-High Frequency Selectivity in the Horseshoe Bat: Does the Bat Use an Acoustic Interference Filter?. In: Moore, B.C.J., Patterson, R.D. (eds) Auditory Frequency Selectivity. Nato ASI Series, vol 119. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9316-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2247-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive