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Amphibious auditory evoked potentials in four North American Testudines genera spanning the aquatic–terrestrial spectrum

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An Erratum to this article was published on 11 May 2016

Abstract

Animals exhibit unique hearing adaptations in relation to the habitat media in which they reside. This study was a comparative analysis of auditory specialization in relation to habitat medium in Testudines, a taxon that includes both highly aquatic and fully terrestrial members. Evoked potential audiograms were collected in four species groups representing diversity along the aquatic–terrestrial spectrum: terrestrial and fossorial Gopherus polyphemus, terrestrial Terrapene carolina carolina, and aquatic Trachemys scripta and Sternotherus (S. odoratus and S. minor). Additionally, underwater sensitivity was tested in T. c. carolina, T. scripta, and Sternotherus with tympana submerged just below the water surface. In aerial audiograms, T. c. carolina were most sensitive, with thresholds 18 dB lower than Sternotherus. At 100–300 Hz, thresholds in T. c. carolina, G. polyphemus, and T. scripta were similar to each other. At 400–800 Hz, G. polyphemus thresholds were elevated to 11 dB above T. c. carolina. The underwater audiograms of T. c. carolina, T. scripta, and Sternotherus were similar. The results suggest aerial hearing adaptations in emydids and high-frequency hearing loss associated with seismic vibration detection in G. polyphemus. The underwater audiogram of T. c. carolina could reflect retention of ancestral aquatic auditory function.

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Acknowledgments

We thank members of the Guyer and Johnston labs for assistance in capturing turtles and J. Goessling for providing access to G. polyphemus. All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. JNZ received funding from a graduate student grant from Auburn University.

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  1. Fish Biodiversity Lab, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Jeffrey N. Zeyl & Carol E. Johnston

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  1. Jeffrey N. Zeyl
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  2. Carol E. Johnston
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Correspondence to Jeffrey N. Zeyl.

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Zeyl, J.N., Johnston, C.E. Amphibious auditory evoked potentials in four North American Testudines genera spanning the aquatic–terrestrial spectrum. J Comp Physiol A 201, 1011–1018 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-015-1031-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-015-1031-6

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