Acoustic Communication by Temporal Codes: Evolution and Neurobiology

格哈特博士的研究目标是获得关于 脊椎动物声通讯机制及其进化 动物 特别是，研究将集中在时间上。 代码，即在重复的定时中编码的信息。 自然沟通的声音。 格哈特医生会 进行信号（声音）结构的行为研究， 这些声音的歧视，与野生型和杂交 动物，他还将进行神经生理学研究， 听觉神经元对声音时间模式的反应， 生物相关性。 两种北美灰树蛙（Hyla chrysoscelis 和H.将进行研究。 这些青蛙 适合作为脊椎动物声音通信模型系统 因为每个物种的雄性都会产生一小部分 刻板的通信信号。 女性可靠地回应 自然和合成（计算机生成）信号， 一个扬声器，就像它们接近自然界中的一只雄性一样。 雄性的声音的时间特性不是后天习得的， 青蛙在隔音环境中生长正常。 这两个物种将通过人工杂交产生 可行的杂交，从而提供了研究遗传的机会， 对声音的呼唤和选择性接近机制。 有很多地方只有一个物种， 其他地区，这两个物种在同一池塘繁殖， 与此同时，如果它们使杂交种不育， 识别错误。 因此，雌性的选择性 从重叠区域的青蛙将比较， 只有一个物种出现的地方。 树蛙的听觉系统已经得到了很好的研究， 大量的基本信息已经作为 时间编码的神经生理学研究的基础， 将在这两个物种中进行。 在这项研究中， 行为实验将指导和补充 神经生理学工作。 这项研究的结果应该提供见解， 所有声学通信系统的基本特性， 脊椎动物 树蛙系统特别强大， 遗传学和神经生理学技术的结合， 在高等动物中是不可能的。

The goal of Dr. Gerhardt's research is to gain knowledge about mechanisms and evolution of acoustic communication in vertebrate animals. In particular, the research will focus on temporal codes, that is, information encoded in the timing of repeated elements in natural communication sounds. Dr. Gerhardt will carry out behavioral studies of signal (sound) structure and the discrimination of these sounds, with both wild-type and hybrid animals, and he will also perform neurophysiological studies of the responses of auditory neurons to time patterns in sounds of biological relevance. Two species of North American gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis and H. versicolor) will be studied. These frogs are particularly suitable as a model system for vertebrate sound communication because males of each species produce a small set of very stereotyped communication signals. Females reliably respond to natural and synthetic (computer-generated) signals by approaching a loudspeaker, just as they approach a calling male in nature. The timing properties of the male's sounds are not learned, but develop normally when the frogs are raised in acoustic isolation. The two species will be cross-mated artificially to produce viable hybrids, thus affording the opportunity to study genetic mechanisms of both calling and selective approach to sounds. There are extensive areas where just one species occurs, and other areas where both species breed in the same ponds at the same time, at the risk of producing sterile hybrids if they make an error of identification. Thus, the selectivity of females from areas of overlap will be compared with that of frogs from areas where only one species occurs. The auditory system of treefrogs has been well studied, so that a great deal of basic information is already available as a foundation for the neurophysiological studies of time coding that will be done in these two species. In this research the results of the behavioral experiments will guide and complement the neurophysiological work. The results of this research should provide insights into fundamental properties of all acoustic communication systems in vertebrates. The treefrog system is especially powerful in that a combination of genetic and neurophysiological techniques can be used in ways that would be impossible in higher animals.