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Eight-choice sound localization by manatees: performance abilities and head related transfer functions

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Abstract

Two experiments investigated the ability and means by which two male Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) may determine the direction of a sound source. An eight-choice discrimination paradigm was used to determine the subjects’ sound localization abilities of five signal conditions covering a range of frequencies, durations, and levels. Subjects performed above the 12.5 % chance level for all broadband frequencies and were able to localize sounds over a large level range. Errors were typically located to either side of the signal source location when presented in the front 180° but were more dispersed when presented from locations behind the subject. Front-to-back confusions were few and accuracy was greater when signals originated from the front 180°. Head-related transfer functions were measured to determine if frequencies were filtered by the manatee body to create frequency-specific interaural level differences (ILDs). ILDs were found for all frequencies as a function of source location, although they were largest with frequencies above 18 kHz and when signals originated to either side of the subjects. Larger ILDs were found when the signals originated behind the subjects. A shadowing-effect produced by the body may explain the relatively low occurrence of front-back confusions in the localization study.

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Abbreviations

HRTF:

Head-related transfer functions

ILD:

Interaural level difference

MAR:

Minimum angle of resolution

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Permit MA837923-6); the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Mote Marine Laboratory staff Jay Sprinkel, volunteer trainer Jann Warfield; Ronnie and John Enander; the Thurell family; and the Manatee Care Team Interns and New College Student trainers. Special gratitude is also given to Toru Shimizu, PhD, Stephen Stark, PhD and Theresa Chisolm, PhD. The experiments comply with the ‘Principles of animal care’, publication No. 86-23, revised 1985, of the National Institute of Health, and also with the current laws of the United States of America.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA

    Debborah E. Colbert-Luke

  2. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL, 34236, USA

    Debborah E. Colbert-Luke, Joseph C. Gaspard, Gordon B. Bauer, Kimberly Dziuk, Adrienne Cardwell & David A. Mann

  3. College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Debborah E. Colbert-Luke & David A. Mann

  4. College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Joseph C. Gaspard & Roger L. Reep

  5. Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA

    Joseph C. Gaspard

  6. Division of Social Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA

    Gordon B. Bauer

  7. SeaWorld, San Antonio, TX, 78251, USA

    Kimberly Dziuk

  8. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL, 33767, USA

    Adrienne Cardwell

Authors
  1. Debborah E. Colbert-Luke
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  2. Joseph C. Gaspard
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  7. David A. Mann
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Correspondence to Debborah E. Colbert-Luke.

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Colbert-Luke, D.E., Gaspard, J.C., Reep, R.L. et al. Eight-choice sound localization by manatees: performance abilities and head related transfer functions. J Comp Physiol A 201, 249–259 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-014-0973-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-014-0973-4

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