Localization of Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Sources by Fish.
Abstract
Lake Michigan mottled sculpin exhibit a naturally-occurring and unconditioned prey capture behavior that can be evoked by real (live prey) and artificial (vibrating sphere) hydrodynamic sources in the absence of visual or chemical cues. This behavior consists of (1) an initial orienting response towards the source, (2) a step-wise approach towards the source and (3) a final strike at the source. This behavior is largely controlled by the spatially-distributed lateral line system, which, when blocked, leads to an almost complete disappearance of the prey capture behavior. In a series of behavioral, physiological and modeling experiments, we have (1) described and analyzed the pathways followed by sculpin to the dipole source to identify the behavioral strategies and mechanosensory cues used by fish in finding the source, (2) measured and modeled (a) the pressure-gradient field around a low frequency (50 Hz) dipole (vibrating sphere) source and (b) the responses of peripheral lateral line nerve fibers to the same source in order to determine how excitation patterns along the lateral line system represent the location and distance of the source, and (3) compared and contrasted the physiological response properties of peripheral lateral line fibers and cells in the first-order brainstem nucleus to determine how the peripheral representation of source location is enhanced or transformed by neural circuits in the central nervous system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA358395
Entities
People
- John A. Montgomery
- Ruth Conley
- Sheryl Coombs
Organizations
- Loyola University Chicago