[en] The air-filled swimbladder acts as an acoustic amplifier for some fish by converting sound pressure into particle motion, which is transmitted to the inner ear. Here, we describe in detail the specialized connection between the swimbladder and ear in the mojarra, as well as a modified cone on the anal fin in which the posterior end of the swimbladder sits. Hearing tests show the mojarra has better hearing sensitivity than other species of fish without a connection. However, mojarras do not seem to use this adaptation for communication. Furthermore, the inclined position of the swimbladder may help the fish to catch their prey more easily, as the swimbladder will be horizontal when they are picking up benthic prey.
Disciplines :
Zoology
Author, co-author :
Parmentier, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive
Mann, Kenneth
Mann, David
Language :
English
Title :
Hearing and morphological specializations of the mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus)
Publication date :
2011
Journal title :
Journal of Experimental Biology
ISSN :
0022-0949
eISSN :
1477-9145
Publisher :
Company of Biologists, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Volume :
214
Pages :
2697-2701
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE] ULiège - Université de Liège [BE]
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