Acoustics of shape recognition by a dolphin in a cross-modal matching-to-sample paradigm

Hoffmann‐Kuhnt, Matthias; Seekings, Paul J.; Abel, Grant

doi:10.1121/1.2933955

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Probably the best-studied example of cross-modal perception in dolphins concerns their ability to link auditory and visual cues. Dolphins are able to recognize objects visually that were previously inspected by echolocation and vice versa (e.g., Herman et al, 1998;DeLong et al, 2000;Hoffmann-Kuhnt et al, 2008). Furthermore, dynamic information about movement, in addition to stationary objects, can be perceived across those two senses .…”

Section: Further Questions and Potentially Promising Approaches On Pementioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Perception in Cetaceans: Part I—Current Knowledge about Dolphin Senses As a Representative Species

et al. 2016

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A large part of the literature on sensory perception and behavior in dolphins is devoted to its well-developed vocal and echolocation abilities. In this review, we aim to augment current knowledge by examining the literature on dolphins' entire "Merkwelt" (which refers to everything a subject perceives, creating a crucial part of the subject's Umwelt). We will show that despite extensive knowledge on audition, aspects such as context relatedness, the social function of vocalizations or socio-sexual recognition, remain poorly understood. Therefore, we propose areas for further lines of investigation. Recent studies have shown that the sensory world of dolphins might well be much more diverse than initially thought. Indeed, although underwater and aerial visual systems differ in dolphins, they have both been shown to be important. Much debated electro-and magnetoreception appear to be functional senses according to recent studies. Finally, another neglected area is chemoreception. We will summarize neuroanatomical and physiological data on olfaction and taste, as well as corresponding behavioral evidence. Taken together, we will identify a number of technical and conceptual reasons for why chemosensory data appear contradictory, which is much debated in the literature. In summary, this article aims to provide both an overview of the current knowledge on dolphin perception, but also offer a basis for further discussion and potential new lines of research.Keywords: cetaceans, Delphinidae, Tursiops truncatus, audition, vision, electroreception, magnetoreception, chemoreception DOLPHIN'S UMWELT Sensory perception is essential for the survival of organisms, be it for the detection of (un)favorable physical conditions, the presence/absence of food or predators, the detection of communication signals or the recognition of social partners. It is crucial for any species to perceive regularities and changes in the properties of their abiotic and biotic environment.

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Section: Further Questions and Potentially Promising Approaches On Pementioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Perception in Cetaceans: Part I—Current Knowledge about Dolphin Senses As a Representative Species

et al. 2016

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“…To our surprise despite the change in setup the dolphin was still able to perform the task. This would lead to the conclusion that the dolphin might not (2), bubble screen (3), bite-plate (4), frame (5), stimulus (6), object holder (7) and position of the hydrophone array frame in red (8). One side panel is removed to see the placement of the object.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is synthetic aperture an essential tool for echoic shape recognition in dolphins?

Hoffmann‐Kuhnt

Wellard

Lee

et al. 2011

Oceans'11 MTS/Ieee Kona

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Abstract-A dolphin had previously been trained to perform a cross-modal matching-to-sample task. In one version of this task the animal had to investigate a sample object that was concealed in a box through its echolocation sense alone, then select the correct match among up to three alternative objects visually in air. Given the frequency range of a dolphin click and the limited number of sensors that the dolphin receives the sonar returns with, the dolphin should have difficulties resolving the details of the object. We suggested earlier that the dolphin might be using synthetic aperture to gain a higher resolution of the stimulus. To test this hypothesis we proposed to restrict the movement of the dolphin by stationing him on a bite-plate that was fixed in front of the box that contained the sample object. We trained the dolphin to station on the bite-plate while performing the cross-modal task (echolocation to vision) while recording the sound field around the dolphin through a 16-hydrophone array that was placed in a variety of positions and configurations between the object and the dolphin stationed on the bite-plate. The acoustic data were recorded at 500 kHz and later analyzed. To our surprise the dolphin was still able to perform the discrimination task. In this paper, we present the analysis of the data collected and show that the dolphin employs techniques such as beam steering and beam shaping while acoustically interrogating the object. This suggests that while the dolphin might still employ a synthetic aperture when possible, he might not need it to resolve the details of the object. We are planning to extend the range of objects to new and unfamiliar objects to explore whether the dolphin is indeed able to resolve details of the object acoustically without the need for synthetic aperture.

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Understanding across the senses: cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans

Bruck

Pack

2022

Anim Cogn

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Acoustics of shape recognition by a dolphin in a cross-modal matching-to-sample paradigm

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Sensory Perception in Cetaceans: Part I—Current Knowledge about Dolphin Senses As a Representative Species

Sensory Perception in Cetaceans: Part I—Current Knowledge about Dolphin Senses As a Representative Species

Is synthetic aperture an essential tool for echoic shape recognition in dolphins?

Understanding across the senses: cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans

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