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

• Published in: Journal of Morphology
• Main Authors: Burda, Hynek, Úlehlová, Libuše
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1983
• Subjects: Nyctalus noctula
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051760210; http://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjmor.1051760210; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjmor.1051760210; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jmor.1051760210

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.