Ultrasonic communication in concave-eared torrent frogs (Amolops tormotus)

摘要: The concave-eared torrent frogs (Amolops tormotus) have highly unusual ear morphology—in males the eardrums are embedded deep inside cavities. In collaboration with our colleagues we investigated functional significance of this morphological feature in hearing. Sound recordings field showed that A. tormotus produce diverse bird-like melodic calls pronounced frequency modulations and non-linear phenomena (e.g., jumps, different orders subharmonics, chaos) often contain spectral energy ultrasonic range. audible as well components species call could effectively evoke males’ vocal responses, demonstrating they can hear respond to ultrasound. Electrophysiological from auditory midbrain confirmed hearing capacity these frogs. recessed tympana extremely thin tympanic membranes adaptations for ultrasound—this sensitivity may evolved response intense, predominately low-frequency ambient noise local streams. Finally, results isolated laryngeal preparation euthanized revealed origin complexity diversity lies having a system nonlinear properties.