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Postmetamorphic changes in auditory sensitivity of the bullfrog midbrain

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Abstract

During metamorphosis, the lateral line system of ranid frogs (Rana catesbeiana) degenerates and an auditory system sensitive to airborne sounds develops. We examined the onset of function and developmental changes in the central auditory system by recording multi-unit activity from the principal nucleus of the torus semicircularis (TSp) of bullfrogs at different postmetamorphic stages in response to tympanically-presented auditory stimuli. No responses were recorded to stimuli of up to 95 dB SPL from latemetamorphic tadpoles, but auditory responses were recorded within 24 hours of completion of metamorphosis. Audiograms from froglets (SVL < 5.5 cm) were relatively flat in shape with high thresholds, and showed a decrease in most sensitive frequency (MSF) from about 2500 Hz to about 1500 Hz throughout the first 7–10 days after completion of metamorphosis. Audiograms from frogs larger than 5.5 cm showed continuous downward shifts in MSF and thresholds, and increases in sharpness around MSF until reaching adult-like values. Spontaneous activity in the TSp increased throughout postmetamorphic development. The torus increased in volume by approximately 50% throughout development and displayed changes in cell density and nuclear organization. These observations suggest that the onset of sensitivity to tympanically presented airborne sounds is limited by peripheral, rather than central, auditory maturation.

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Abbreviations

CF :

characteristic frequency

MSF :

most sensitive frequency

PB :

phasic burst

PL :

primary like

S :

sustained

SVL :

snout-vent length

TS :

torus semicircularis

TSl :

laminar nucleus of TS

TSm :

magnocellular nucleus of TS

TSp :

principal nucleus of TS

TW :

tympanic width

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Box 1953, 02912, Providence, RI, USA

    S. S. Boatright-Horowitz & A. Megela Simmons

  2. Department of Psychology, Brown University, 02912, Providence, RI, USA

    A. Megela Simmons

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  1. S. S. Boatright-Horowitz
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  2. A. Megela Simmons
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Boatright-Horowitz, S.S., Simmons, A.M. Postmetamorphic changes in auditory sensitivity of the bullfrog midbrain. J Comp Physiol A 177, 577–590 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207187

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