Cochlear hair‐cell populations and limits of resolution of hearing in two vespertilionid bats, Nyctalus noctula and Eptesicus serotinus

Abstract A comparison of the population of cochlear hair cells with known hearing resolution capabilities in two species of bats ( Nyctalus noctula and Eptesicus serotinus of the family Vespertilionidae) has revealed a close correlation between morphological and functional parameters. Data on number...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Morphology
Main Authors: Burda, Hynek, Úlehlová, Libuše
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1983
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051760210
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Summary:Abstract A comparison of the population of cochlear hair cells with known hearing resolution capabilities in two species of bats ( Nyctalus noctula and Eptesicus serotinus of the family Vespertilionidae) has revealed a close correlation between morphological and functional parameters. Data on number and densities of hair cells in the examined bat species are presented. Even though the species are of a comparable body size, N. noctula has a longer basilar membrane, a higher density, and hence also a higher total number of hair cells than E. serotinus . This is in good agreement with hearing resolution capabilities, which are better in N. noctula than in E. serotinus . These findings have implications on differences in feeding ecology and hunting strategies between these species.