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Cetaceans inhabit oceans, seas and even some rivers throughout the world. Hearing and sound production are thought to serve crucial functions in the behavior, natural history or life cycle of all of these animals. Although difficulties in studying large aquatic animals have limited experimental auditory research on many species, knowledge about the acoustic behavior of these animals has been increasing dramatically. In this volume, experts in different areas of the field provide an overview of the bioacoustics of whales and dolphins as well as a thorough introduction to the subject for investigators of hearing in other animals. Topics covered include the structure and function of cetacean auditory systems, the unique sound production system of odontocetes, acoustic communication, psychoacoustics, echolocation and models of sound propagation.
List of contents
1 Hearing in Whales and Dolphins: An Overview.- 2 Cetacean Ears.- 3 In Search of Impulse Sound Sources in Odontocetes.- 4 Communication and Acoustic Behavior of Dolphins and Whales.- 5 Acoustics and Social Behavior of Wild Dolphins: Implications for a Sound Society.- 6 The Auditory Central Nervous System of Dolphins.- 7 Electrophysiological Measures of Auditory Processing in Odontocetes.- 8 Psychoacoustic Studies of Dolphin and Whale Hearing.- 9 Echolocation in Dolphins.- 10 Acoustic Models of Sound Production and Propagation.
Summary
Topics covered include the structure and function of cetacean auditory systems, the unique sound production system of odontocetes, acoustic communication, psychoacoustics, echolocation and models of sound propagation.
