Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air
In-air pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) were measured using behavioural psychophysical techniques. Thresholds dropped from about 70 dB re 20 μPa at 0.1 kHz to about 35 dB re 20 μ Pa at 4 kHz and then increased to about 45 dB re 20 μPa at 16 kHz. Increased sensitiviti...
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Canadian Science Publishing
1991
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crcansciencepubl:10.1139/z91-287 2023-12-17T10:31:16+01:00 Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air Terhune, J. M. 1991 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-287 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-287 en eng Canadian Science Publishing http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 69, issue 8, page 2059-2066 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics journal-article 1991 crcansciencepubl https://doi.org/10.1139/z91-287 2023-11-19T13:38:52Z In-air pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) were measured using behavioural psychophysical techniques. Thresholds dropped from about 70 dB re 20 μPa at 0.1 kHz to about 35 dB re 20 μ Pa at 4 kHz and then increased to about 45 dB re 20 μPa at 16 kHz. Increased sensitivities at 2 and 8 kHz, which have been reported in other pinnipeds, were not evident. In-air intensity detection thresholds averaged 32 dB above their underwater counterparts (1–16 kHz). Masking studies found the critical ratios at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 kHz to be 24, 15, and 21 dB, respectively (white noise masker). From 0.2 to 1.5 kHz, bandwidths 20 dB below the level of pure tone maskers were 0.16–0.18 kHz. Circumstantial evidence suggests the possibility that blood vascular changes associated with diving might also influence the sensitivity of the auditory systems of seals. Under optimal conditions, a pup's airborne cries may be detected by its mother at ranges of 1 km or more. Article in Journal/Newspaper harbour seal Phoca vitulina Canadian Science Publishing (via Crossref) Canadian Journal of Zoology 69 8 2059 2066 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Canadian Science Publishing (via Crossref) |
op_collection_id |
crcansciencepubl |
language |
English |
topic |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
spellingShingle |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Terhune, J. M. Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
topic_facet |
Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics |
description |
In-air pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) were measured using behavioural psychophysical techniques. Thresholds dropped from about 70 dB re 20 μPa at 0.1 kHz to about 35 dB re 20 μ Pa at 4 kHz and then increased to about 45 dB re 20 μPa at 16 kHz. Increased sensitivities at 2 and 8 kHz, which have been reported in other pinnipeds, were not evident. In-air intensity detection thresholds averaged 32 dB above their underwater counterparts (1–16 kHz). Masking studies found the critical ratios at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 kHz to be 24, 15, and 21 dB, respectively (white noise masker). From 0.2 to 1.5 kHz, bandwidths 20 dB below the level of pure tone maskers were 0.16–0.18 kHz. Circumstantial evidence suggests the possibility that blood vascular changes associated with diving might also influence the sensitivity of the auditory systems of seals. Under optimal conditions, a pup's airborne cries may be detected by its mother at ranges of 1 km or more. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Terhune, J. M. |
author_facet |
Terhune, J. M. |
author_sort |
Terhune, J. M. |
title |
Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
title_short |
Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
title_full |
Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
title_fullStr |
Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
title_full_unstemmed |
Masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
title_sort |
masked and unmasked pure tone detection thresholds of a harbour seal listening in air |
publisher |
Canadian Science Publishing |
publishDate |
1991 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-287 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-287 |
genre |
harbour seal Phoca vitulina |
genre_facet |
harbour seal Phoca vitulina |
op_source |
Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 69, issue 8, page 2059-2066 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 |
op_rights |
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1139/z91-287 |
container_title |
Canadian Journal of Zoology |
container_volume |
69 |
container_issue |
8 |
container_start_page |
2059 |
op_container_end_page |
2066 |
_version_ |
1785584477150380032 |