The Avian Head Induces Cues for Sound Localization in Elevation

Schnyder, H.; Vanderelst, Dieter; Bartenstein, Sophia; Firzlaff, Uwe; Luksch, Harald

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0112178

Cited by 23 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…7C). Bell‐shaped ILD selectivities were also observed in the ICX of other owls (Volman & Konishi, , ), including species with symmetric facial morphology, where both ILD and ITD are commonly assumed to be cues for the auditory azimuth (but see Schnyder et al ., ). Together, these findings support the notion that bell‐like ILD selectivities are a characteristic response type in the IC across bird species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to ITD, this range likely exceeds the natural range heard by the chicken under free-field conditions. Measurements of headrelated transfer functions on adult chicken heads suggest that ILDs up to about AE8 dB arise through the head's shadowing effect (Schnyder et al, 2014). This might be further enhanced several dB through the internal coupling of the middle ears (review in Larsen et al, 2016).…”

Section: Types Of Ild Selectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Binaural responses in the auditory midbrain of chicken (Gallus gallus)

Aralla

Ashida

Köppl

2018

Eur J of Neuroscience

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The auditory midbrain is the location in which neurons represent binaural acoustic information necessary for sound localization. The external nucleus of the midbrain inferior colliculus (IC) of the barn owl is a classic example of an auditory space map, but it is unknown to what extent the principles underlying its formation generalize to other, less specialized animals. We characterized the spiking responses of 139 auditory neurons in the IC of the chicken (Gallus gallus) in vivo, focusing on their sensitivities to the binaural localization cues of interaural time (ITD) and level (ILD) differences. Most units were frequency-selective, with best frequencies distributed unevenly into low-frequency and high-frequency (> 2 kHz) clusters. Many units showed sensitivity to either ITD (65%) or ILD (66%) and nearly half to both (47%). ITD selectivity was disproportionately more common among low-frequency units, while ILD-only selective units were predominantly tuned to high frequencies. ILD sensitivities were diverse, and we thus developed a decision tree defining five types. One rare type with a bell-like ILD tuning was also selective for ITD but typically not frequency-selective, and thus matched the characteristics of neurons in the auditory space map of the barn owl. Our results suggest that generalist birds such as the chicken show a prominent representation of ITD and ILD cues in the IC, providing complementary information for sound localization, according to the duplex theory. A broadband response type narrowly selective for both ITD and ILD may form the basis for a representation of auditory space.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Types Of Ild Selectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Binaural responses in the auditory midbrain of chicken (Gallus gallus)

Aralla

Ashida

Köppl

2018

Eur J of Neuroscience

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“…Interest had also been particularly consistent with respect to localizing sound by establishing interaural time differences (ITDs) and interaural level differences (ILDs). The puzzle is how birds with small heads can identify the direction of sounds [128][129][130]. A more recent study suggests that budgerigars may be able to localize pure tones as high as 4 kHz based solely on ITD information and that small birds generally may be able to enhance directional hearing by using the acoustic coupling of the middle ear cavities and so perform well above expectations [131].…”

Section: Testing Sound Perception and Laterality In Field And Laboratmentioning

confidence: 99%

Audition and Hemispheric Specialization in Songbirds and New Evidence from Australian Magpies

Kaplan

2017

Symmetry

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Abstract:The neural processes of bird song and song development have become a model for research relevant to human acquisition of language, but in fact, very few avian species have been tested for lateralization of the way in which their audio-vocal system is engaged in perception, motor output and cognition. Moreover, the models that have been developed have been premised on birds with strong vocal dimorphism, with a tendency to species with complex social and/or monomorphic song systems. The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is an excellent model for the study of communication and vocal plasticity with a sophisticated behavioural repertoire, and some of its expression depends on functional asymmetry. This paper summarizes research on vocal mechanisms and presents field-work results of behavior in the Australian magpie. For the first time, evidence is presented and discussed about lateralized behaviour in one of the foremost songbirds in response to specific and specialized auditory and visual experiences under natural conditions. It presents the first example of auditory lateralization evident in the birds' natural environment by describing an extractive foraging event that has not been described previously in any avian species. It also discusses the first example of auditory behavioral asymmetry in a songbird tested under natural conditions.

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“…conspecifics, potential predators and obstacles). Similarly star-gazing may be an attempt to better detect, locate and distinguish auditory stimuli that are present in the surrounding environment (Schnyder et al, 2014). The blind birds frequently collide with other birds, pen walls and equipment and collisions were usually followed by circle walking.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural consequences of visual deprivation occurring at hatch or in the early life of chickens

Hocking

Haldane

Davidson

et al. 2015

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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The development of behaviour in a line of chickens that are born sighted (rdd) but turn blind after hatching was compared with a line that is blind at hatch (beg) and with sighted White Leghorn controls (WL) to test the hypothesis that birds that become blind later in their life will show intermediate behavioural disturbances compared to animals that are blind from hatch. Individual behaviour, group aggregation and behavioural synchrony were compared at 1, 5 and 9 weeks of age (experiment 1) and in the parents of these chicks at 9-13 months of age (experiment 2). Responses to visual and physical isolation were assessed at 1, 5 and 9 weeks of age. Analyses of home-pen behaviour showed that rdd and beg had difficulty locating or consuming food. WL and rdd did not engage in abnormal behaviour at 1, 5 and 9 weeks of age whereas both beg and rdd adults did so. At 9 weeks of age beg and rdd birds showed decreased behavioural synchrony compared with WL, whereas group aggregation in rdd and WL was similar and higher than in beg. WL adults showed increased environmental pecking and higher rates of behavioural synchrony and group aggregation than both beg and rdd. Under visual isolation from conspecifics rdd behaved like blind birds in some respects (e.g. decreased movement) and as sighted birds in others (e.g. peeping). Contrary to previous reports, the vision of rdd was apparently diminished compared with sighted controls (WL) at all ages. It was concluded that abnormal behaviours are a response to a complete loss of vision regardless of initial sight. Birds that became blind during rearing (rdd) may be more active as adults than birds that were blind throughout life but in general the behaviour of blind birds was similar regardless of early sight.

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The Avian Head Induces Cues for Sound Localization in Elevation

Cited by 23 publications

References 33 publications

Binaural responses in the auditory midbrain of chicken (Gallus gallus)

Binaural responses in the auditory midbrain of chicken (Gallus gallus)

Audition and Hemispheric Specialization in Songbirds and New Evidence from Australian Magpies

Behavioural consequences of visual deprivation occurring at hatch or in the early life of chickens

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