Document Detail


Stability of central binaural sound localization mechanisms in mammals, and the Heffner hypothesis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22101111     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Heffner (2004) provided an overview of data on the evolutionary pressures on sound localization acuity in mammals. Her most important finding was that sound localization acuity was most strongly correlated with width of field of best vision. This correlation leaves unexplained the mechanism through which evolutionary pressures affect localization acuity in different mammals. A review of the neurophysiology of binaural sound localization cue coding, and the behavioural performance it supports, led us to two hypotheses. First, there is little or no evidence that the neural mechanisms for coding binaural sound location cues, or the dynamic range of the code, vary across mammals. Rather, the neural coding mechanism is remarkably constant both across species, and within species across frequency. Second, there is no need to postulate that evolutionary pressures are exerted on the cue coding mechanism itself. We hypothesize instead that the evolutionary pressure may be on the organism's ability to exploit a 'lower envelope principle' (after Barlow, 1972).
Authors:
Dennis P Phillips; Chelsea K Quinlan; Rachel N Dingle
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-11-11
Journal Detail:
Title:  Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1873-7528     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-21     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7806090     Medline TA:  Neurosci Biobehav Rev     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1; Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1.
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