Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Echolocation”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cortical representation of acoustic motion in the rufous horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus rouxi.

Responses of neurons to apparent auditory motion in the azimuth were recorded in three different fields of auditory cortex of the rufous horseshoe bat. Motion was simulated using successive stimuli with dynamically changing interaural intensity differences presented via earphones. Seventy-one percent of sampled neurons were motion-direction-sensitive. Two types of responses could be distinguished. Thirty-four percent of neurons showed a directional preference exhibiting stronger responses to one direction of motion. Fifty-seven percent of neurons responded with a shift of spatial receptive field position depending on direction of motion. Both effects could occur in the same neuron depending on the parameters of apparent motion. Most neurons with contralateral receptive fields exhibited directional preference only with motion entering the receptive field from the opposite direction. Receptive field shifts were opposite to the direction of motion. Specific combinations of spatiotemporal parameters determined the motion-direction-sensitive responses. Velocity was not encoded as a specific parameter. Temporal parameters of motion and azimuth position of the moving sound source were differentially encoded by neurons in different fields of auditory cortex. Neurons with a directional preference in the dorsal fields can encode motion with short interpulse intervals, whereas direction-preferring neurons in the primary field can best encode motion with medium interpulse intervals. Furthermore, neurons with a directional preference in the dorsal fields are specialized for encoding motion in the midfield of azimuth, whereas direction-preferring neurons in the primary field can encode motion in lateral positions. The results suggest that motion information is differentially processed in different fields of the auditory cortex of the rufous horseshoe bat.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2004

Delay accuracy in bat sonar is related to the reciprocal of normalized echo bandwidth, or Q.

Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) emit wideband, frequency-modulated biosonar sounds and perceive the distance to objects from the delay of echoes. Bats remember delays and patterns of delay from one broadcast to the next, and they may rely on delays to perceive target scenes. While emitting a series of broadcasts, they can detect very small changes in delay based on their estimates of delay for successive echoes, which are derived from an auditory time/frequency representation of frequency-modulated sounds. To understand how bats perceive objects, we need to know how information distributed across the time/frequency surface is brought together to estimate delay. To assess this transformation, we measured how alteration of the frequency content of echoes affects the sharpness of the bat's delay estimates from the distribution of errors in a psychophysical task for detecting changes in delay. For unrestricted echo frequency content and high echo signal-to-noise ratio, bats can detect extremely small changes in delay of about 10 ns. When echo bandwidth is restricted by filtering out low or high frequencies, the bat's delay acuity declines in relation to the reciprocal of relative echo bandwidth, expressed as Q, which also is the relative width of the target impulse response in cycles rather than time. This normalized-time dimension may be efficient for target classification if it leads to target shape being displayed independent of size. This relation may originate from cochlear transduction by parallel frequency channels with active amplification, which creates the auditory time/frequency representation itself.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Long-term cortical plasticity evoked by electric stimulation and acetylcholine applied to the auditory cortex.

Auditory fear conditioning with tone bursts followed by electric leg stimulation activates neurons not only in the auditory and somatosensory systems but also in many other regions of the brain and elicits shifts in the best frequencies (BFs) of collicular and cortical neurons, i.e., reorganization of the frequency (co-chleotopic) maps in the inferior colliculus and auditory cortex (AC). What are the neural elements minimally necessary for evoking long-term cortical BF shifts? We found that: (i) both electric stimulation and acetylcholine applied to the AC evoke the long-term cortical BF shift as does the conditioning; (ii) both electric stimulation of the AC and acetylcholine applied to the inferior colliculus increase the short-term collicular BF shift evoked by the cortical electric stimulation but do not change it into long-term; and (iii) as this short-term collicular BF shift is blocked by atropine, the development of the long-term cortical BF shift becomes slow and small. Therefore, the most essential neural elements for evoking the long-term cortical BF shift are the AC, corticofugal feedback and the cholinergic nucleus. Our current data support the Gao-Suga model, which hypothesizes that the small short-term cortical BF shifts are evoked by tonal stimuli without the association of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli in the multisensory thalamic nuclei and that these BF shifts are augmented and changed into the large long-term BF shifts by cholinergic neurons.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2006

Signature whistle shape conveys identity information to bottlenose dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) develop individually distinctive signature whistles that they use to maintain group cohesion. Unlike the development of identification signals in most other species, signature whistle development is strongly influenced by vocal learning. This learning ability is maintained throughout life, and dolphins frequently copy each other's whistles in the wild. It has been hypothesized that signature whistles can be used as referential signals among conspecifics, because captive bottlenose dolphins can be trained to use novel, learned signals to label objects. For this labeling to occur, signature whistles would have to convey identity information independent of the caller's voice features. However, experimental proof for this hypothesis has been lacking. This study demonstrates that bottlenose dolphins extract identity information from signature whistles even after all voice features have been removed from the signal. Thus, dolphins are the only animals other than humans that have been shown to transmit identity information independent of the caller's voice or location.

Animal Communication↗
PubMed2002

Reorganization of the cochleotopic map in the bat's auditory system by inhibition.

The central auditory system of the mustached bat shows two types of reorganization of cochleotopic (frequency) maps: expanded reorganization resulting from shifts in the best frequencies (BFs) of neurons toward the BF of repetitively stimulated cortical neurons (hereafter centripetal BF shifts) and compressed reorganization resulting from the BF shifts of neurons away from the BF of the stimulated cortical neurons (hereafter centrifugal BF shifts). Facilitation and inhibition evoked by the corticofugal system have been hypothesized to be respectively related to centripetal and centrifugal BF shifts. If this hypothesis is correct, bicuculline (an antagonist of inhibitory GABA-A receptors) applied to cortical neurons would change centrifugal BF shifts into centripetal BF shifts. In the mustached bat, electric stimulation of cortical Doppler-shifted constant-frequency neurons, which are highly specialized for frequency analysis, evokes the centrifugal BF shifts of ipsilateral collicular and cortical Doppler-shifted constant-frequency neurons and contralateral cochlear hair cells. Bicuculline applied to the stimulation site changed the centrifugal BF shifts into centripetal BF shifts. On the other hand, electric stimulation of neurons in the posterior division of the auditory cortex, which are not particularly specialized for frequency analysis, evokes centripetal BF shifts of cortical neurons located near the stimulated cortical neurons. Bicuculline applied to the stimulation site augmented centripetal BF shifts but did not change the direction of the shifts. These observations support the hypothesis and indicate that centripetal and centrifugal BF shifts are both based on a single mechanism consisting of two components: facilitation and inhibition.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1999

Spatial sound detection and the role of the inferior colliculus in the Long-Evans rat.

The ability of Long-Evans hooded rats (n = 10) to detect sounds presented from sources in the horizontal plane at 0 degrees elevation and the effects of bilateral lesions of the inferior colliculus on these abilities were examined. Rats were trained on a directional detection task which required animals to suppress licking responses in a conditioned avoidance paradigm when 100-ms noise bursts were presented at random from speakers at 45 degrees intervals beginning at azimuth (0 degrees). A task performance rate was determined by reducing the correct lick suppression rate for signal trials by the proportion of incorrect suppression responses on non-signal trials. Higher performance rates were observed for stimuli presented from 0-90 degrees than for stimuli presented in the caudal hemifield prior to surgical procedures. Bilateral lesions restricted to the inferior colliculus reduced detection performance (p < 0.05) and shifted the best performance rates from sounds presented at 0-45 degrees to stimuli emitted from a 90 degrees source (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that pigmented rats show differential detection levels for noise bursts presented from different locations throughout the horizontal interaural plane, and suggest that the inferior colliculus is involved in this aspect of directional hearing.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A systematic representation of interaural intensity differences in the auditory cortex of the pallid bat.

The current model of cortical processing of auditory spatial information is based on an orthogonal representation of frequency and binaural response properties, but how this arrangement leads to representation of space in the auditory cortex is unclear. This study describes the first evidence of a cortical substrate for the systematic representation of space in a region of primary auditory cortex of the pallid bat that subserves passive sound localization. The organizational feature of this region is a systematic shift in sensitivity to interaural intensity differences across the cortical surface, suggesting a topographic representation of horizontal space based on the distribution of activity within the neuron population.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Oxytocin within auditory nuclei: a neuromodulatory function in sensory processing?

Oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in social bonding, ultrasonic vocalizations and other sexual behaviors in mammalian species. Although its presence within neuroendocrine regions in the forebrain is well established, its association with sensory nuclei remains unclear. We report here the presence of oxytocin immunoreactive neurons within several nuclei in the auditory brain stem of the mustached bat, Pteronotus parnellii. Immunocytochemical procedures revealed OT-immunoreactive perikarya and/or fiber terminals in restricted areas of the inferior colliculus (IC), superior olivary complex (SOC), including the medial and ventral nuclei of the trapezoid body, and in the cochlear nucleus. Perikarya were labeled predominantly in the IC and SOC and both perikarya and fiber terminals were labeled extensively in the cochlear nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Sound azimuth selectivity of inferior collicular neurons in juvenile bats, Myotis chinensis.

The directional selectivity of auditory neurons is one of the essential response properties that underlie sound localization, an important task performed by the mammalian auditory system. Here we evaluated the sound azimuth selectivity of inferior collicular neurons in juvenile bats, Myotis chinensis, at the age of 15 days under free-field stimulation conditions. Compared with those in adult bats, neurons in juvenile bats were broadly tuned to sound azimuth angles as indicated by both the type and width of the azimuth selectivity curves. Their best azimuth was distributed over a wide range and, moreover, the adult-like relationship between the best azimuth and the best frequency of these neurons was not developed. These data indicate that the directional selectivity of inferior collicular neurons, like other response properties examined previously, undergoes considerable change during postnatal maturation.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2002

Binaural sonar electronic travel aid provides vibrotactile cues for landmark, reflector motion and surface texture classification.

Electronic travel aids (ETAs) for the blind commonly employ conventional time-of-flight sonars to provide range measurements, but their wide beams prevent accurate determination of object bearing. We describe a binaural sonar that detects objects over a wider bearing interval compared with a single transducer and also determines if the object lies to the left or right of the sonar axis in a robust manner. The sonar employs a pair of Polaroid 6500 ranging modules connected to Polaroid 7000 transducers operating simultaneously in a binaural array configuration. The sonar determines which transducer detects the echo first. An outward vergence angle between the transducers improves the first-echo detection reliability by increasing the delay between the two detected echoes, a consequence of threshold detection. We exploit this left/right detection capability in an ETA that provides vibrotactile feedback. Pager motors mount on both sides of the sonar, possibly worn on the user's wrists. The motor on the same side as the reflecting object vibrates with speed inversely related to range. As the sonar or object moves, vibration patterns provide landmark, motion and texture cues. Orienting the sonar at 45 degrees relative to the travel direction and passing a right-angle corner produces a characteristic vibrational pattern. When pointing the sonar at a moving object, such as a fluttering flag, the motors alternate in a manner to give the user a perception of the object motion. When the sonar translates or rotates to scan a foliage surface, the vibrational patterns are related to the surface scatterer distribution, allowing the user to identify the foliage.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Vocal communication in the pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus.

The communication sounds of the pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus, wre studied in the laboratory. Adult pallid bats communicate via four main types of sound emissions: directives, squabble notes, irritation buzzes, and FM orientation pulses. Newborn bats emit only isolation calls. These calls evolve into the adult directive by the twentieth day. Ultrasonic orientation pulses do not appear until 7--9 days postnatally. These appear to arise de novo or may be derived from a shortened isolation call. Irritation buzzes and squabble notees are first emitted at one and two weeks of age respectively, without an apparent precursor. Mother bats nurse only their own infants and recognize them on the basis of auditory and olfactory cues. An apparent vocal signature is present in the temporal patterning of frequencies in the isolation call, and this may function in individual recognition.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

A mathematical analysis of the peripheral auditory system mechanics in the goldfish (Carassius auratus).

The dynamic response of the goldfish peripheral auditory system has been analyzed using lumped-parameter mechanical and fluid system models for the swimbladder, Weberian apparatus, and saccule. The swimbladder is treated as a two degree-of-freedom mechanical system consisting of two coupled mass-spring-damper arrangements. The swimbladder is coupled to the Weberian ossicles using a phenomenological analysis of the anterior swimbladder tunica externa which permits both stretching and sliding. Analysis of the saccule features only a single degree of freedom, corresponding to the direction of orientation of the ciliary bundles. Inputs to the saccule consist of the transverse canal fluid motion and the motion of the animal's head (assumed to match the local acoustic particle motion). Mechanical properties required for the system equations were estimated from published literature, direct measurements, and curve fits to experimental data for the motions of the swimbladders. The results indicate that the Weberian apparatus has a significant impact on hearing ability over the entire auditory bandwidth, not just at higher frequencies, and that the saccule functions as a displacement sensor above approximately 300 Hz.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Comparison between visual and passive acoustic detection of finless porpoises in the Yangtze River, China.

Recently, sonar signals and other sounds produced by cetaceans have been used for acoustic detection of individuals and groups in the wild. However, the detection probability ascertained by concomitant visual survey has not been demonstrated extensively. The finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) have narrow band and high-frequency sonar signals, which are distinctive from background noises. Underwater sound monitoring with hydrophones (B&K8103) placed along the sides of a research vessel, concurrent with visual observations was conducted in the Yangtze River from Wuhan to Poyang Lake in 1998 in China. The peak to peak detection threshold was set at 133 dB re 1 ,EPa. With this threshold level, porpoises could be detected reliably within 300 m of the hydrophone. In a total of 774-km cruise, 588 finless porpoises were sighted by visual observation and 44 ,864 ultrasonic pulses were recorded by the acoustical observation system. The acoustic monitoring system could detect the presence of the finless porpoises 82% of the time. A false alarm in the system occurred with a frequency of 0.9%. The high-frequency acoustical observation is suggested as an effective method for field surveys of small cetaceans, which produce high-frequency sonar signals.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Localization and visual verification of a complex minke whale vocalization.

A recently described population of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) offered a unique opportunity to study its acoustic behavior. The often-inquisitive dwarf minke whale is seen on the Great Barrier Reef nearly coincident with its suspected calving and breeding seasons. During drifting encounters with whales, a towed hydrophone array was used to record sounds for subsequent localization of sound sources. Shipboard and in-water observers linked these sounds to the closely circling minke whale. A complex and stereotyped sound sequence, the "star-wars" (SW) vocalization, was recorded during a series of visual and acoustic observations. The SW vocalization spanned a wide frequency range (50 Hz-9.4 kHz) and was composed of distinct and stereotypically repeated units with both amplitude and frequency-modulated components. Broadband source levels between 150 and 165 dB re 1 microPa at 1 m were calculated. Passive acoustic studies can utilize this distinct vocalization to help determine the behavior, distribution, and movements of this animal. While the SW vocalization's function remains unknown, the regularly repeated and complex sound sequence was common in low latitude, winter month aggregations of minke whales. At this early stage, the SW vocalization appears similar to the songs of other whale species and has characteristics consistent with those of reproductive advertisement displays.

Animal Communication↗
PubMed2001

Transforming echoes into pseudo-action potentials for classifying plants.

Animals perceive their environment by converting sensory stimuli into action potentials, or temporal point processes, that are interpreted by the brain. This paper investigates the information content of point processes extracted from echoes from in situ plants in an effort to understand how bats recognize landmarks in the field. A mobile sonar converts echoes into biologically similar temporal point processes. termed pseudo-action potentials (PAPs), whose inter-PAP interval relates to echo amplitude. The sonar forms a sector scan of an object to produce a spatial-temporal PAP field. Classifier neurons apply delays and coincidence detection to the PAP field to identify three distinct echo types, glints, blobs, and fuzz, which characterize plant features. Glints are large amplitude echoes exhibiting coherence over successive echoes in the sector scan, typically produced by favorably oriented isolated specular reflectors. Blobs are large echoes lacking coherence, typically bordering glints or formed by collections of interfering reflectors. Fuzz represents weak echoes, typically produced by collection of weak scatterers or by reflectors on the beam periphery. A small mirror reflector models a flat leaf surface and motivates the glint criteria. Classifiers are applied to experimental data from two types of tree trunks, a glint-producing sycamore (Platanus occidenatalis) and a glint-absent Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and two plants, a glint-producing rhododendron (Rhododendron maximus) and a glint-absent yew (Taxus media). We speculate that our narrow-band sonar models the activity of a single frequency bin in the frequency-modulated (FM) sweep emitted by bats, and that one function of the frequency bins in the FM sweep is to form a sector scan of the environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Low-frequency acoustic pressure, velocity, and intensity thresholds in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and white whale (Delphinapterus leucas).

The relative contributions of acoustic pressure and particle velocity to the low-frequency, underwater hearing abilities of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) were investigated by measuring (masked) hearing thresholds while manipulating the relationship between the pressure and velocity. This was accomplished by varying the distance within the near field of a single underwater sound projector (experiment I) and using two underwater sound projectors and an active sound control system (experiment II). The results of experiment I showed no significant change in pressure thresholds as the distance between the subject and the sound source was changed. In contrast, velocity thresholds tended to increase and intensity thresholds tended to decrease as the source distance decreased. These data suggest that acoustic pressure is a better indicator of threshold, compared to particle velocity or mean active intensity, in the subjects tested. Interpretation of the results of experiment II (the active sound control system) was difficult because of complex acoustic conditions and the unknown effects of the subject on the generated acoustic field; however, these data also tend to support the results of experiment I and suggest that odontocete thresholds should be reported in units of acoustic pressure, rather than intensity.

Acoustics↗