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The Tympanal Recess of the Cetacean Cochlea: Function and Evolution

The Tympanal Recess of the Cetacean Cochlea: Function and Evolution Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) primarily use sound to communicate and hunt for prey. Their auditory anatomy is highly specialised, but much about its function remains unknown. In particular, a feature of the cochlea known as the tympanal recess present in some mysticetes (baleen whales) and odontocetes (toothed whales) has defied functional explanation. Here, we present and discuss several hypotheses that may clarify the function and evolution of the tympanal recess. One potential function in particular, the vibroacoustic duct mechanism, seems most plausible although further work is needed to test the hypothesis, which hints at the possibility of sperm whales and beaked whales being able to detect both high and low frequencies. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Acoustics Australia Springer Journals

The Tympanal Recess of the Cetacean Cochlea: Function and Evolution

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References (39)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 by Australian Acoustical Society
Subject
Engineering; Engineering Acoustics; Acoustics; Noise Control
ISSN
0814-6039
eISSN
1839-2571
DOI
10.1007/s40857-017-0104-9
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) primarily use sound to communicate and hunt for prey. Their auditory anatomy is highly specialised, but much about its function remains unknown. In particular, a feature of the cochlea known as the tympanal recess present in some mysticetes (baleen whales) and odontocetes (toothed whales) has defied functional explanation. Here, we present and discuss several hypotheses that may clarify the function and evolution of the tympanal recess. One potential function in particular, the vibroacoustic duct mechanism, seems most plausible although further work is needed to test the hypothesis, which hints at the possibility of sperm whales and beaked whales being able to detect both high and low frequencies.

Journal

Acoustics AustraliaSpringer Journals

Published: Aug 17, 2017

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