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Auditory temporal resolution of a wild white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

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Abstract

Adequate temporal resolution is required across taxa to properly utilize amplitude modulated acoustic signals. Among mammals, odontocete marine mammals are considered to have relatively high temporal resolution, which is a selective advantage when processing fast traveling underwater sound. However, multiple methods used to estimate auditory temporal resolution have left comparisons among odontocetes and other mammals somewhat vague. Here we present the estimated auditory temporal resolution of an adult male white-beaked dolphin, (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), using auditory evoked potentials and click stimuli. Ours is the first of such studies performed on a wild dolphin in a capture-and-release scenario. The white-beaked dolphin followed rhythmic clicks up to a rate of approximately 1,125–1,250 Hz, after which the modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) cut-off steeply. However, 10% of the maximum response was still found at 1,450 Hz indicating high temporal resolution. The MRTF was similar in shape and bandwidth to that of other odontocetes. The estimated maximal temporal resolution of white-beaked dolphins and other odontocetes was approximately twice that of pinnipeds and manatees, and more than ten-times faster than humans and gerbils. The exceptionally high temporal resolution abilities of odontocetes are likely due primarily to echolocation capabilities that require rapid processing of acoustic cues.

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Abbreviations

AEP:

Auditory evoked potentials

AM:

Amplitude modulated

EEG:

Electro encephalogram

FFT:

Fast Fourier transform

MRTF:

Modulation rate transfer function

RFR:

Rate following response

RMS:

Root mean square

SAM:

Sinusoidally amplitude modulated

SPL:

Sound pressure level

V p–p :

Peak-to-peak voltage

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted in accordance with Icelandic National Regulation number 279/2002 on animal experiments with permission of the Icelandic National Animal Research Committee, permit nr. 0706–2701 and with the full approval of the University of Hawaii Institutional Animal Care and Utilization Committee protocol number 06–036. We wish to thank the Danish Natural Science Research Council for major financial support (grant no. 272–05-0395). Monitoring of animal health and safety and the research cruise was facilitated by the dedicated work of Jeff Foster, Guðlaugur Bjarnason, Kristinn Runólfur Guðlaugsson and Katja Vinding Peterson. Tomonari Akamatsu, Jonas Teilmann, Meike Linnenschmidt, and Gisli A. Vikingsson were instrumental in data collection. Marlee Breese and Munch MacDonald were helpful in developing the stretcher and others at the Marine Mammal Research Program were valuable in technical support. This is contribution number 1332 from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and SOEST contribution number 7608.

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  1. T. Aran Mooney

    Present address: Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Research Facility, MS #50, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, P.O. Box 1106, Kailua, HI, 96734, USA

    T. Aran Mooney, Paul E. Nachtigall & Kristen A. Taylor

  2. Húsavik Research Center, University of Iceland, Gardarsbraut 19, 640, Húsavik, Iceland

    Marianne H. Rasmussen

  3. Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark-Odense, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    Lee A. Miller

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  1. T. Aran Mooney
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Correspondence to T. Aran Mooney.

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Mooney, T.A., Nachtigall, P.E., Taylor, K.A. et al. Auditory temporal resolution of a wild white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris). J Comp Physiol A 195, 375–384 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-009-0415-x

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