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Journal of Experimental Biology 60,881-899 (1974)
Published by Company of Biologists 1974

Directional Sensitivity of Microphonic Potentials Form the Perch Ear

OLAV SAND ¹

¹ Institute of Zoophysiology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

1. Microphonic potentials were recorded from the lagena and from different parts of the sacculus in the perch during horizontal and vertical vibration of the fish in air. This stimulation technique gives a good simulation of sound stimulation in water.

2. The lagena was predominantly sensitive to vertical vibrations, whereas the anterior part of the sacculus was equally sensitive to vertical and horizontal vibrations. A gradient is seen along the sacculus, in that the more posterior positions show a tendency towards greater relative vertical sensitivity. By comparing the nervous output from the lagena and from the sacculus the fish might thus get information about the vertical direction of the sound source.

3. The amplitude of the saccular microphonic potentials evoked by horizontal vibrations was a function of the vibration direction. Maximal responses were obtained when this direction deviated about 20° from the long axis of the fish, which is approximately parallel to the long axis of the sacculi. The difference in response between the two ears might be utilized to give directional information about the horizontal position of the sound source.

4. Sound-induced pulsations radiating from the swimbladder will be efficient in evoking saccular microphonic potentials. This causes masking of the difference in response between the two ears, but directional information may still be obtained. It is proposed that the power of angle separation in the horizontal plane should be optimal for sound waves side on to the fish, and that a fish possessing a swimbladder may be able to detect the sound direction with higher accuracy in the vertical than in the horizontal plane.

5. The relative effect in evoking microphonic potentials of vertical compared to horizontal vibrations was frequency dependent, and it is concluded that the pattern of otolith movements during sound stimulation may also change with frequency. This phenomenon constitutes a possible basis for peripheral frequency analysis in fish.

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