Marine mammal sensory systems: Special issue overview

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Sensory Physiology
• Zoology

Background:

• Marine mammals exhibit secondary adaptations to aquatic environments, necessitating significant changes in their sensory physiology.
• Evolution has shaped marine mammal senses for underwater perception while retaining aerial sensing capabilities to varying extents.

Discussion:

• This special issue presents cutting-edge research on marine mammal sensory systems, covering somatosensation, mechanoreception (haptics, hydrodynamics, acoustics), and chemoreception.
• Studies investigate electroreception in bottlenose dolphins and visual temporal processing in harbor seals, showcasing diverse sensory modalities.
• The research spans multiple marine mammal groups, offering a comprehensive overview of sensory adaptations.

Key Insights:

• Marine mammals display a wide array of sensory capabilities, including electroreception and specialized vision.
• Adaptations range from tactile sensing on cetacean skin to acoustic and hydrodynamic perception.
• The interplay between anatomical structure and sensory function is a key theme across studies.

Outlook:

• Future research directions are highlighted, emphasizing the need for integrated anatomical, observational, and behavioral studies.
• Further exploration of sensory systems in underrepresented marine mammal groups is encouraged.
• Understanding the full spectrum of marine mammal sensory perception remains a vital area for scientific inquiry.