HEARING DIFFERENCES AMONG HAWAIIAN SQUIRRELFISH (FAMILY HOLOCENTRIDAE) RELATED TO DIFFERENCES IN THE PERIPHERAL AUDITORY-SYSTEM

1. Auditory sensitivity as a function of frequency has been behaviorally determined for two species of fish from the teleost family Holocentridae which is characterized by marked variation in peripheral auditory structures. 2. Best sensitivity measured for Myripristis kuntee was -50 dB re: 1 dyne/cm2 for frequencies between 300 and 2,000 Hz, while best sensitivity measured for Adioryx xantherythrus was -28 dB at 500 Hz (Figs. 1 and 2). 3. Both species can detect sounds at 100 Hz while the high frequency end of the auditory range extends up to 3,000 Hz for M. kuntee and to 800 Hz for A. xantherythrus (Figs. 1 and 2). 4. It is hypothesized that these differences in auditory capabilities are related to differences in sound transmission characteristics of the peripheral auditory system. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.