Summary
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1.
The inferior colliculus of 8 Greater Horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinun) was systematically sampled with electrode penetrations covering the entire volume of the nucleus. The best frequencies and intensity thresholds for pure tones (Fig. 2) were determined for 591 neurons. The locations of the electrode penetrations within the inferior colliculus were histologically verified.
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2.
About 50% of all neurons encountered had best frequencies (BF) in the frequency range between 78 and 88 kHz (Table 1, Fig. 1A). Within this frequency range the BFs between 83.0 and 84.5 kHz were overrepresented with 16.3% of the total population of neurons (Fig. 1B). The frequencies of the constant frequency components of the echoes fall into this frequency range.
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3.
The representation of BFs expressed as number of neurons per octave shows a striking correspondence to the nonuniform innervation density in the afferent innervation of the basilar membrane (Bruns and Schmieszek, in press). The high innervation density of the basilar membrane in the frequency band between 83 and 84.5 kHz coincides with the maximum of the distribution of number of neurons per octave across frequency in the inferior colliculus (Fig. 1 C).
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4.
The disproportionate representation of frequencies in the auditory system of the greater horseshoe bat is described as an acoustical fovea functioning in analogy to the fovea in the visual system. The functional importance of the Doppler-shift compensation for such a foveal mechanism in the auditory system of horseshoe bats is related to that of tracking eye movements in the visual system.
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Abbreviations
- BF :
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best frequency
- CF :
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constant frequency
- DSC :
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Doppler-shift compensation
- FM :
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frequency modulated
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Supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, grant to G. Pollak; by Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, AZ.: 111858 and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grants No. Schu 390/1,2 and Br 593/2
The encouragement and suggestions of Gerhard Neuweiler (University Frankfurt) and the suggestions of Bill Giesler (University of Texas) are gratefully acknowledged.
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Schuller, G., Pollak, G. Disproportionate frequency representation in the inferior colliculus of doppler-compensating Greater Horseshoe bats: Evidence for an acoustic fovea. J. Comp. Physiol. 132, 47–54 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00617731
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00617731