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Demonstration of the precedence effect in an insect
1Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2702.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Field crickets exhibit the precedence effect, responding to only the first of two sound pulses within a specific delay range. This study explores this auditory phenomenon in a nonmammal model.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Acoustic Perception
Background:
- Field crickets serve as simplified models for studying auditory processing, mirroring human acoustic challenges.
- Previous research in crickets has explored sound localization, discrimination, and categorical perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the precedence effect in field crickets using a two-pulse ultrasound paradigm.
- To investigate the neural basis of the precedence effect in cricket auditory interneurons.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a standard two-pulse paradigm with directional ultrasound stimuli.
- Recorded neural activity from ascending auditory interneurons during the precedence effect paradigm.
- Analyzed cricket escape responses to varying pulse delays.
Main Results:
- Crickets demonstrated the precedence effect, responding to the first pulse for delays of 4-75 ms.
- Response direction was variable for delays <2 ms and directional to both pulses for delays >75 ms.
- No ipsilateral-contralateral differences were found in the studied interneurons, suggesting central brain involvement.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of the precedence effect in a nonmammal.
- The neural mechanisms underlying the precedence effect in crickets likely involve central auditory processing in the brain.
