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Beaked whale auditory evoked potential hearing measurements

Journal of Comparative Physiology A volume 192, pages 489–495 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Several mass strandings of beaked whales have recently been correlated with military exercises involving mid-frequency sonar highlighting unknowns regarding hearing sensitivity in these species. We report the hearing abilities of a stranded juvenile beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) measured with auditory evoked potentials. The beaked whale’s modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) measured with a 40-kHz carrier showed responses up to an 1,800 Hz amplitude modulation (AM) rate. The MRTF was strongest at the 1,000 and 1,200 Hz AM rates. The envelope following response (EFR) input–output functions were non-linear. The beaked whale was most sensitive to high frequency signals between 40 and 80 kHz, but produced smaller evoked potentials to 5 kHz, the lowest frequency tested. The beaked whale hearing range and sensitivity are similar to other odontocetes that have been measured.

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Abbreviations

AM:

Amplitude modulation

AEP:

Auditory evoked potential

EFR:

Envelope following response

EP:

Evoked potential

FFT:

Fast Fourier transform

MRTF:

Modulation rate transfer function

SPL:

Sound pressure level

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Teri Rowles, Trevor Spradlin, Brandon Southall, Kyle Baker, Dr. Janet Whaley, Blair Mase-Guthrie, Laura Engleby, David Bernhardt, Steve Leathery, and Roger Gentry for assistance with permitting. We thank Butch Rommel for assistance with beaked whale anatomy, and Peter Tyack for sharing data on beaked whale echolocation frequencies. We thank Patricia Rosel for DNA identification of the species from a skin sample. We thank Elisabeth Howells, Brandon Paquin, Kenny Kroell, and the entire volunteer staff at HBOI for the care of this animal. Funding for the rescue and rehabilitative care of this whale was possible with the Protect Florida Whales License Plate Fund. We thank Randy Dear, Linda Green, and Carolyn Schlundt for bottlenose dolphin training and other valuable assistance at the US Navy Marine Mammal Program. This project was funded in part by a grant awarded from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. from proceeds collected from the sale of Protect Wild Dolphins License Plate as authorized by Florida Statute 320.08058(20). The experiments comply with the “Principles of animal care”, publication no. 86-03, revised 1985 of the National Institute of Health, and also with the current laws of the US.

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Affiliations

  1. College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701-5016, USA

    Mandy L. H. Cook & David A. Mann

  2. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL, 34946, USA

    René A. Varela, Juli D. Goldstein, Stephen D. McCulloch & Gregory D. Bossart

  3. US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2351, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA, 92152-5001, USA

    James J. Finneran

  4. Biomimetica, 7951 Shantung Dr., Santee, CA, 92071-3432, USA

    Dorian Houser

Authors
  1. Mandy L. H. Cook
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  2. René A. Varela
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  3. Juli D. Goldstein
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  4. Stephen D. McCulloch
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  5. Gregory D. Bossart
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  6. James J. Finneran
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  7. Dorian Houser
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  8. David A. Mann
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Correspondence to Mandy L. H. Cook.

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Cook, M.L.H., Varela, R.A., Goldstein, J.D. et al. Beaked whale auditory evoked potential hearing measurements. J Comp Physiol A 192, 489–495 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-005-0086-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-005-0086-1

Keywords

  • Beaked whale
  • Mesoplodon europaeus
  • Hearing
  • Auditory evoked potential
  • Envelope following response
  • Modulation rate transfer function