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Correspondence between evoked vocal responses and auditory thresholds in Pleurodema thaul (Amphibia; Leptodactylidae)

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Abstract

Thresholds for evoked vocal responses and thresholds of multiunit midbrain auditory responses to pure tones and synthetic calls were investigated in males of Pleurodema thaul, as behavioral thresholds well above auditory sensitivity have been reported for other anurans. Thresholds for evoked vocal responses to synthetic advertisement calls played back at increasing intensity averaged 43 dB RMS SPL (range 31–52 dB RMS SPL), measured at the subjects’ position. Number of pulses increased with stimulus intensities, reaching a plateau at about 18–39 dB above threshold and decreased at higher intensities. Latency to call followed inverse trends relative to number of pulses. Neural audiograms yielded an average best threshold in the high frequency range of 46.6 dB RMS SPL (range 41–51 dB RMS SPL) and a center frequency of 1.9 kHz (range 1.7–2.6 kHz). Auditory thresholds for a synthetic call having a carrier frequency of 2.1 kHz averaged 44 dB RMS SPL (range 39–47 dB RMS SPL). The similarity between thresholds for advertisement calling and auditory thresholds for the advertisement call indicates that male P. thaul use the full extent of their auditory sensitivity in acoustic interactions, likely an evolutionary adaptation allowing chorusing activity in low-density aggregations.

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Abbreviations

BT:

Best threshold

CD:

Compact disc

CF:

Center frequency

EVR:

Evoked vocal response

RMS:

Root mean square

SPL:

Sound pressure level

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Acknowledgments

Aníbal Martínez assisted with the data analysis of the behavioral experiments. This study was supported by FONDECYT grant 1040830 to Mario Penna. Nelson Velásquez conducted the electrophysiological recordings under the award of CONICYT fellowship D-21060849. The Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) authorized capture of specimens of Pleurodema thaul for the electrophysiological recordings. The neurophysiological experiments comply with the “Principles of animal care” publication No. 86-23, revised 1985 of the National Institute of Health, and with the laws of animal welfare in Chile (Protocol CBA# 061 FMUCH)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Casilla, Correo 7, Santiago, 70005, Chile

    Mario Penna & Nelson Velásquez

  2. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Rigoberto Solís

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  1. Mario Penna
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  2. Nelson Velásquez
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  3. Rigoberto Solís
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Correspondence to Mario Penna.

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Penna, M., Velásquez, N. & Solís, R. Correspondence between evoked vocal responses and auditory thresholds in Pleurodema thaul (Amphibia; Leptodactylidae). J Comp Physiol A 194, 361–371 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0312-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0312-0

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