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A comparative analysis of form and function in Centrarchidae hearing ability: Does otolith variation affect auditory
Taylor A Bendig1, Grace M Dycha1, Elise M Bull1
1Integrative Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 11, 2023
Summary
This study compared hearing in three sunfish species. Physiological hearing varied, but behavioral hearing did not, suggesting complex evolutionary drivers for sound detection in fish.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic biology
- Bioacoustics
- Sensory ecology
Background:
- Understanding interspecific variation in fish hearing is crucial for evolutionary insights.
- Few studies have investigated the drivers of differential hearing abilities across fish species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare hearing thresholds in three Centrarchidae sunfish species: bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris).
- To investigate the relationship between hearing thresholds, saccular otolith size, and hair cell density.
- To provide a foundation for understanding how anthropogenic noise may impact these species.
Main Methods:
- Hearing thresholds were measured using auditory evoked potentials (physiological) and behavioral trials with 10-ms tone bursts.
- Saccular otolith morphology (S:O ratio) and hair cell densities were quantified for each species.
- Direct comparisons were made between confamilial species to analyze differences in sound detection.
Main Results:
- Physiological hearing thresholds differed significantly among the three sunfish species.
- Behavioral hearing thresholds, however, did not show significant variation across the species.
- Rock bass exhibited a larger saccular otolith S:O ratio, but hair cell densities were consistent across species.
Conclusions:
- Species-specific physiological hearing capabilities exist within Centrarchidae, but behavioral responses to sound may be more conserved.
- Saccular otolith morphology, specifically the S:O ratio, may play a role in differential hearing, independent of hair cell density.
- This research offers insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of hearing variation and informs future studies on the impact of anthropogenic noise on fish communication and survival.
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