Range-dependent flexibility in the acoustic field of view of echolocating porpoises (Phocoena phocoena).

ABSTRACT: Toothed whales use sonar to detect, locate, and track prey. They adjust emitted sound intensity, auditory sensitivity and click rate to target range, and terminate prey pursuits with high-repetition-rate, low-intensity buzzes. However, their narrow acoustic field of view (FOV) is considered stable throughout target approach, which could facilitate prey escape at close-range. Here, we show that, like some bats, harbour porpoises can broaden their biosonar beam during the terminal phase of attack but, unlike bats, maintain the ability to change beamwidth within this phase. Based on video, MRI, and acoustic-tag recordings, we propose this flexibility is modulated by the melon and implemented to accommodate dynamic spatial relationships with prey and acoustic complexity of surroundings. Despit

SUBMITTER: Wisniewska DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4413254 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature