Diversity of acoustic tracheal system and its role for directional hearing in crickets.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sound localization in small insects can be a challenging task due to physical constraints in deriving sufficiently large interaural intensity differences (IIDs) between both ears. In crickets, sound source localization is achieved by a complex type of pressure difference receiver consisting of four potential sound inputs. Sound acts on the external side of two tympana but additionally reaches the internal tympanal surface via two external sound entrances. Conduction of internal sound is realized by the anatomical arrangement of connecting trachea. A key structure is a trachea coupling both ears which is characterized by an enlarged part in its midline (i.e., the acoustic vesicle) accompanied with a thin membrane (septum). This facilitates directional sensitivity despite

SUBMITTER: Schmidt AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3852832 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature