Dr. Matthew Mason: Further Information...
University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk
Malkemper, E.P., Mason, M.J. & Burda, H. (2020) Functional anatomy of the middle and inner ears of the red fox, in comparison to domestic dogs and cats. Journal of Anatomy 236: 980-995.
In this study, we examined the middle and inner ears of red foxes, wild carnivores of similar size to cats and dogs which have been much more extensively studied. Our aim was to establish whether differences between the ear structures of these animals would relate to differences in their published audiograms. Generally speaking, the ear structures of these animals did not differ very much, although foxes and dogs lack the prominent interbullar septum found in cats. The audiograms of these animals are also similar, but the differences that do exist were not obviously reflected in ear structures. We therefore urge caution, when trying to make functional predictions from relatively minor differences in the anatomical structures of the ear.