The evolution of an "owl-like" auditory system in harriers: Anatomical evidence.

ABSTRACT: Hearing is crucial for predators to detect hidden prey. Owls are perhaps the best example of predators with extreme auditory abilities and anatomical specializations that enhance prey localization by sound alone. Such specializations include enlarged acoustic meatus, asymmetrical ears, and enlarged auditory brain nuclei. Harriers (Circus spp.), medium-sized diurnal hawks, have similar sound-based hunting strategies and abilities to localize sound sources like owls, but whether they have the same anatomical adaptations remains unknown. We provide a quantitative analysis of the harrier's auditory system, combining histology and microCT scanning to analyze both brain and skull anatomy. Harriers differ greatly from other hawks in having enlarged acoustic meatus and expanded auditory brainstem

SUBMITTER: Citron S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12497564 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature