The discovery of a previously unidentified hearing organ in the South American bushcrickets’ ear could pave the way for technological advancements in bio-inspired acoustic sensors research, including medical imaging and hearing aids.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and University of Lincoln discovered the missing piece of the jigsaw in the understanding of the process of energy transformation in the ‘unconventional’ ears of the bushcrickets (or katydids).
Bushcrickets have four tympana (or ear drums) – two on each foreleg; but until now it has been unknown how the various organs connect in order for the insect to hear. As the tympana (a membrane which vibrates in reaction to sound) does not directly connect with the mechanoreceptors (sensory receptors), it was a mystery how sound was transmitted from air to the sensory cells.
The researchers discovered a newly identified organ while carrying out research into how the bushcricket tubing system in the ear transports sound. The research focussed on the bushcricket Copiphora gorgonensis, a species from Colombia. Results suggest that the bushcricket ear operates in a manner analogous to that of mammals. Apaper appears in Science.
“We discovered a novel structure that constitutes the key element in hearing in these insects, which had not been considered in previous work. The organ is a fluid-filled vesicle, which we have named the ‘Auditory Vesicle’. This hearing organ mediates the process of conversion of acoustic energy (sound waves) to mechanical, hydraulic and electrochemical energy,” said Fernando Montealegre-Z, lead.
In mammals, hearing relies on three canonical processing stages: an eardrum collecting sound, a middle ear impedance converter and a cochlear frequency analyser. The katydid ear performs these steps in the hearing process, something previously unknown in insects. The discovery of the impedance conversion and amplification mechanisms is a huge step forward in understanding the mechanisms of hearing processes in insects. This level of sophistication could be transferred into bio-inspired systems.
The findings could inspire the next-gen of ultrasonic tech. By improving our understanding of insect hearing and sensory systems, researchers can incorporate new ideas and techniques into a wide range of technologies, including hearing aids, biomedical imaging systems for hospitals, and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation to assess the structural integrity of buildings and bridges.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and University of Lincoln discovered the missing piece of the jigsaw in the understanding of the process of energy transformation in the ‘unconventional’ ears of the bushcrickets (or katydids).
The researchers discovered a newly identified organ while carrying out research into how the bushcricket tubing system in the ear transports sound. The research focussed on the bushcricket Copiphora gorgonensis, a species from Colombia. Results suggest that the bushcricket ear operates in a manner analogous to that of mammals. Apaper appears in Science.
“We discovered a novel structure that constitutes the key element in hearing in these insects, which had not been considered in previous work. The organ is a fluid-filled vesicle, which we have named the ‘Auditory Vesicle’. This hearing organ mediates the process of conversion of acoustic energy (sound waves) to mechanical, hydraulic and electrochemical energy,” said Fernando Montealegre-Z, lead.
In mammals, hearing relies on three canonical processing stages: an eardrum collecting sound, a middle ear impedance converter and a cochlear frequency analyser. The katydid ear performs these steps in the hearing process, something previously unknown in insects. The discovery of the impedance conversion and amplification mechanisms is a huge step forward in understanding the mechanisms of hearing processes in insects. This level of sophistication could be transferred into bio-inspired systems.
The findings could inspire the next-gen of ultrasonic tech. By improving our understanding of insect hearing and sensory systems, researchers can incorporate new ideas and techniques into a wide range of technologies, including hearing aids, biomedical imaging systems for hospitals, and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation to assess the structural integrity of buildings and bridges.
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