Collaborative Research: Sound Source Localization by Fishes

本研究将调查鱼类的声源定位，以确定鱼类如何整合各种声音线索，以便在复杂的声音环境中做出适当的行为。有证据表明，哺乳动物、两栖动物、鸟类和爬行动物都有定位声源的能力，但令人惊讶的是，我们不知道鱼类是否也以同样的方式定位声源。因此，鱼类的声源定位仍然是生物学和听力科学的一个重要课题。本研究将检验几种相关理论的主要假设，包括鱼类定位声源的主流理论。平鳍鱼（Porichthys notatus），雌性通过雄性发出的声音来定位雄性，将被用作研究鱼类如何定位水下声源的一般模型。我们将测试两个假设：1)鱼类会根据声粒子运动的方向定位声源（这是包括声源定位理论在内的几个相关理论的主要假设），以及2)粒子运动和声压检测（通过鳔）都是声源定位的必要条件，但两者都不够。作为这项研究计划的组成部分，研究生和本科生都将接受培训和指导。此外，关于这项研究的年度公开讲座将在加州大学博德加海洋实验室举行。

This research will investigate sound source localization by fishes to ascertain how fish integrate the various sound cues available to them to behave appropriately in complex acoustic environments. Evidence suggests that the capacity for sound source localization is common to mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles, but surprisingly it is not known whether fishes locate sound sources in the same manner. Therefore, sound source localization by fishes remains an important topic in biology and in the hearing sciences. This study will test the major assumptions of several related theories, including the leading theory of sound source localization by fishes. The plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus), in which females locate males by sounds that the males produce, will be used as a general model to investigate how fishes localize underwater sound sources. Two hypotheses will be tested: 1) fish orient to the direction of acoustic particle motion to localize sound sources (a major assumption of several, related theories including the leading theory of sound source localization), and 2) both particle motion and sound pressure detection (via the swimbladder) are necessary for sound source localization, but neither alone is sufficient. As an integral part of this research program, both graduate and undergraduate students will receive training and mentoring. In addition, annual public lectures regarding this research will be presented at the University of California Bodega Marine Laboratory.