Lateral Line Research: the Importance of Using Natural Stimuli
163
underestimated the hydrodynamic reception capabilities of seals. Under natural
conditions the detection and decoding of complex historical hydrodynamic signals
in a world full of noise may be crucial for the survival of many aquatic animals.
This short review hopefully has illustrated that to understand hydrodynamic
reception requires detailed investigations of the physical structure of the
hydrodynamic environment in which an animal lives. It is now time to supplement
studies with stationary vibrating spheres in a low-noise environment with studies
in which dipole stimuli are applied in a noisy environment. In addition, more
natural, complex water motions, applied both in low- and high-noise environments, should be introduced in lateral line research. We believe that only if we ask
more subtle questions will we have a chance to uncover the full capabilities and
adaptations of the lateral line and other hydrodynamic sensory systems.
Acknowledgments. We thank TH Bullock, P Gomer and FG Barth for
commenting on the MS. Support for research reported here came from the German
Science Foundation (Bl242 7-1; Mo 718/2-1; De 538/5-1) and from the BMBF to
JM.
References
Alexandre D, Ghysen A (1999) Somatotopy of the lateral line projection in larval
zebrafish. Proc Nat! Acad Sci 96:7558-7562
Bartels M, Mlinz H, Claas B (1990) Representation of lateral line and
electro sensory systems in the midbrain of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. J
Comp Physiol A 167: 347-356
Bleckmann H, Bullock TH (1989) Central nervous physiology of the lateral line
system, with special reference to cartilaginous fishes. In: Coombs S, Gomer P,
Mtinz H (eds) The Mechanosensory Lateral Line. Neurobiology and Evolution.
New York: Springer, pp. 387-408
Bleckmann H, Tittel G, Bli.ibaum-Gronau E (1989) The lateral line system of
surface-feeding fish: Anatomy, physiology, and Behavior. In: Coombs S, Gomer
P, Mi.inz H (eds) The Mechanosensory Lateral Line. Neurobiology and
Evolution. New York, Springer, pp. 501-526
Bleckmann H, Mi.inz H (1990) Physiology of lateral-line mechanoreceptors in a
teleost with highly branched, multiple lateral lines. Brain Behav Evol 35: 240250
Bleckmann H (1994) Reception of hydrodynamic stimuli in aquatic and semiaquatic animals. In: Rathmayer W (ed) Progress in Zoology, Vol 41. Stuttgart,
Gustav Fischer, pp. 1-115
163
underestimated the hydrodynamic reception capabilities of seals. Under natural
conditions the detection and decoding of complex historical hydrodynamic signals
in a world full of noise may be crucial for the survival of many aquatic animals.
This short review hopefully has illustrated that to understand hydrodynamic
reception requires detailed investigations of the physical structure of the
hydrodynamic environment in which an animal lives. It is now time to supplement
studies with stationary vibrating spheres in a low-noise environment with studies
in which dipole stimuli are applied in a noisy environment. In addition, more
natural, complex water motions, applied both in low- and high-noise environments, should be introduced in lateral line research. We believe that only if we ask
more subtle questions will we have a chance to uncover the full capabilities and
adaptations of the lateral line and other hydrodynamic sensory systems.
Acknowledgments. We thank TH Bullock, P Gomer and FG Barth for
commenting on the MS. Support for research reported here came from the German
Science Foundation (Bl242 7-1; Mo 718/2-1; De 538/5-1) and from the BMBF to
JM.
References
Alexandre D, Ghysen A (1999) Somatotopy of the lateral line projection in larval
zebrafish. Proc Nat! Acad Sci 96:7558-7562
Bartels M, Mlinz H, Claas B (1990) Representation of lateral line and
electro sensory systems in the midbrain of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. J
Comp Physiol A 167: 347-356
Bleckmann H, Bullock TH (1989) Central nervous physiology of the lateral line
system, with special reference to cartilaginous fishes. In: Coombs S, Gomer P,
Mtinz H (eds) The Mechanosensory Lateral Line. Neurobiology and Evolution.
New York: Springer, pp. 387-408
Bleckmann H, Tittel G, Bli.ibaum-Gronau E (1989) The lateral line system of
surface-feeding fish: Anatomy, physiology, and Behavior. In: Coombs S, Gomer
P, Mi.inz H (eds) The Mechanosensory Lateral Line. Neurobiology and
Evolution. New York, Springer, pp. 501-526
Bleckmann H, Mi.inz H (1990) Physiology of lateral-line mechanoreceptors in a
teleost with highly branched, multiple lateral lines. Brain Behav Evol 35: 240250
Bleckmann H (1994) Reception of hydrodynamic stimuli in aquatic and semiaquatic animals. In: Rathmayer W (ed) Progress in Zoology, Vol 41. Stuttgart,
Gustav Fischer, pp. 1-115