Auditory Brain Stem Processing in Reptiles and Amphibians: Roles of Coupled Ears

摘要: Comparative approaches to the auditory system have yielded great insight into evolution of sound localization circuits, particularly within nonmammalian tetrapods. The fossil record demonstrates multiple appearances tympanic hearing, and examination brain stem various groups can reveal organizing effects ear across taxa. If peripheral structures a strongly influence on neural structures, then homologous should be observed only in with ear. Therefore, central systems anurans (frogs), reptiles (including birds), mammals all more similar each group than among groups. Although there is large variation system, evidence that nuclei tetrapods are functions these It appears pronounced changes processing related detecting airborne sound, addition high-frequency extent acoustic coupling ears. This chapter focuses similarities differences as well anatomy physiology nuclei.