Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Dr. Matthew Mason: Further Information...

University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk

Mason, M.J. (2003b) Bone conduction and seismic sensitivity in golden moles (Chrysochloridae). Journal of Zoology 260: 405-413.

This paper represents the sister paper to Mason (2003a), where I describe the middle ear morphology of golden moles. Here, I expand on a previous suggestion in the literature that the hypertrophied mallei of some golden mole genera might be used to enhance transmission of ground vibrations to the inner ear, by means of a form of inertial bone conduction. A model of bone conduction was developed, based on that of Bárány (1938), and measurements from from golden mole middle ears were applied into it. The results suggest that the ears of these animals would indeed significantly augment inertial bone conduction at low frequencies, compared to the primitive condition as found in Amblysomus species. While the Bárány model considers simple rotation of the ossicles, an alternative mode of bone conduction is proposed for golden moles with club-shaped malleus heads such as Chrysochloris, dependent upon the elastic properties of the long anterior process of the malleus. Observations of golden moles in the wild, taken from the literature, are used to support the contention that these animals use low-frequency seismic vibrations, detected through bone-conduction, to hunt their prey.

To access this paper via the Wiley website, please click here.

Please contact me if you would like to be sent a reprint copy of this paper.