Abstract
Measurement of the thresholds of single unit responses in the cochlear nuclei of Vespertilionidae and Rhinolophidae to ultrasonic stimuli of different frequencies showed that some neurons in animals of both families have 2 or 3 characteristic frequencies. If the maximal of them is taken as the basic frequency, the other two characteristic frequencies are in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:3 to it. Corresponding to these characteristic frequencies, basic and complementary response regions were recorded. InMyotis oxygnathus (Vespertilionidae), using frequency-modulated echolocation signals, some neurons in the complementary response regions respond only to stimuli of average strength, i.e., the complementary response regions are "closed." The latent periods of the single unit responses are independent of stimulus frequency. Consequently, correlative reception of echolocation signals is absent at the level of the auditory system in bats.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
É. Sh. Airapet'yants and A. I. Konstantinov, "Physiological investigations of ultrasonic echolocation in animals," in: Problems in Comparative Physiology of Analyzers [in Russian], No. 3, Leningrad University Press, Leningrad (1973), pp. 20–28.
É. Sh. Airapet'yants and A. I. Konstantinov, Echolocation in Nature [in Russian], Nauka, Leningrad (1974).
Ya. A. Al'tman, I. A. Vartanyan, and E. A. Radionova, "Electrical manifestations of activity of the pathways and centers of the auditory system," in: Physiology of Sensory Systems, Part 2 [in Russian], Nauka, Leningrad (1927), pp. 210–260.
A. G. Vasil'ev, "Characteristics of electrical responses of the inferior colliculus of the Vespertilionidae and Rhinolophidae to a change in strength of ultrasound," in: Mechanisms of Nervous Activity [in Russian], Nauka, Leningrad (1969), pp. 180–187.
A. G. Vasil'ev, "Characteristics of unit responses of the cochlear nuclei of bats (Rhinolophidae) to single and paired ultrasonic stimuli," Neirofiziologiya,7, 251 (1975).
Ya. D. Shirman (editor), The Theoretical Bases of Radiolocation, Sovetskoe Radio, Moscow (1970).
J. J. G. McCue, "Signal processing by the bat," J. Aud. Res.,9, 100 (1969).
H.-U. Schnitzler, "Die Ultraschallortungslaute der Hufeisen-Fledermause (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae) in verschiedenen orientierungs Situationen," Z. Vergl. Physiol.,57, 376 (1968).
G. Schuller, G. Neuweiler, and H.-U. Schnitzler, "Collicular responses to the frequency-modulated final part of echolocating sounds inRhinolophus ferrum-equinum," Z. Vergl. Physiol.,74, 153 (1971).
J. A. Simmons, "Target simulation and the sonar of bats," J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,47, 76 (1970).
J. A. Simmons, "Echolocation in bats: signal processing of echoes for target range," Science,171. 925 (1971).
J. A. Simmons and J. A. Vernon, "Echolocation: discrimination of targets by the batEptesicus fuscus." J. Exp. Zool.,176, 305 (1971).
G. K. Strother, "Note on the possible use of ultrasonic pulse compression by bats," J. Acoust. Soc. Am.,33, 696 (1961).
Additional information
A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 41–47, January–February, 1977.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vasil'ev, A.G., Grigor'eva, T.I. Single unit responses to ultrasonic stimuli in the cochlear nuclei of bats. Neurophysiology 9, 30–35 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063541
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063541