The Ear of Butterflyfishes:What is the Evidence that Chaetodon are Hearing Specialists? |
| Studies of ear morphology and auditory capabilities in fishes have
shown that structural modifications to the swimbladder
that bring it closer to the inner ears are correlated with increased hearing sensitivity
and expanded frequency ranges. Some studies have noted a correlation between the presence of
anterior swimbladder extensions (horns) and a
different hair cell pattern in the
sensory epithelia of the inner ear (sacculus). Using a combination of histology (plastic resin; glycolmethacrylate) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we are examining ear morphology (shape of sensory maculae, pattern of hair cell orientation, hair cell density and hair cell morphology) in order to determine if such a correlation is found among butterflyfishes with (Chaetodon) and without (Forcipiger) an LC; and among Chaetodon species with different LC morphologies (long horns/short horns; Direct vs. Indirect LC). |