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Modulation rate transfer functions to low-frequency carriers in three species of cetaceans

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Abstract

A temporal modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) is a quantitative description of the ability of a system to follow the temporal envelope of a stimulating waveform. In this study MRTFs were obtained from three cetacean species: the false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens; the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas; and the bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus, using auditory-evoked potentials. Steady-state electrophysiological responses were recorded noninvasively from behaving, alert animals using suction cup electrodes placed on the scalp surface. Responses were elicited using continuous two-tone (TT) and sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) stimuli. MRTFs were obtained for modulation frequencies ranging from 18–4019 Hz using carrier and primary frequencies of 500, 1000, 4000, and 10000 Hz. Scalp potentials followed the low-frequency temporal envelope of the stimulating waveform; this envelope following response (EFR) was the dependent variable in all experiments. MRTFs were generally low-pass in shape with corner frequencies between approximately 1–2 kHz.

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Abbreviations

ABR :

auditory brainstem response

AEP :

auditory evoked potential

AM :

amplitude modulated

EEC :

electroencephalogram

EFR :

envelope following response

FFR :

frequency following response

FFT :

Fast Fourier Transfer

MRTF :

modulation rate transfer function

SAM :

sinusoidally amplitude modulated

TT :

two-tone

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Biology, Boston University, 02215, Boston, MA, USA

    W. F. Dolphin

  2. Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, 96734, Kailua, HI, USA

    W. W. L. Au, P. E. Nachtigall & J. Pawloski

Authors
  1. W. F. Dolphin
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  2. W. W. L. Au
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  3. P. E. Nachtigall
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  4. J. Pawloski
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Dolphin, W.F., Au, W.W.L., Nachtigall, P.E. et al. Modulation rate transfer functions to low-frequency carriers in three species of cetaceans. J Comp Physiol A 177, 235–245 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225102

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225102

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