Auditory saccular sensitivity of the vocal Lusitanian toadfish: low frequency tuning allows acoustic communication throughout the year

摘要: A novel form of auditory plasticity for enhanced detection social signals was described in a teleost fish, Porichthys notatus (Batrachoididae, Porichthyinae). The seasonal onset male calling coincides with inshore migration from deep waters by both sexes and increased female sensitivity to dominant frequencies calls. closely related Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus, Halophryninae) also breeds seasonally relies on acoustic communication find mates but, instead, stay estuaries show vocal activity throughout the year. We investigated whether inner ear saccule H. didactylus is plastic sexually dimorphic. recorded evoked potentials populations saccular hair cells non-reproductive reproductive males females response 15–945 Hz tones. Saccular were most sensitive at 15–205 (thresholds between 111 118 dB re. 1 μPa). Both showed identical hearing no differences found across seasons. well suited detect conspecific vocalizations low that overlapped lateral line sensitivity. has major importance year significant sensory may exist two batrachoidid subfamilies.