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., Willi, U.B. & Narins, P.M. (2010) Comments on "Tympanic-membrane and malleus-incus-complex co-adaptations for high-frequency hearing in mammals", by Sunil Puria & Charles Steele. Hearing Research 267: 1-3.
This short article represents a response to an interesting paper by Puria & Steele (Hearing Research 263: 183-90, 2010), in which they propose that an asymmetrical insertion of the malleus into the tympanic membrane, as found in cats and humans, is functionally related to a change in the vibratory mode of the malleus and incus. We point out that a marked membrane asymmetry is also found in the Cape golden mole, Chrysochloris asiatica, in which a vibratory mode change has been experimentally documented. However, there are some differences between what Puria & Steele observe in cats and humans and what is found in the golden mole. We go on to argue that some of the features which these authors describe in guinea-pigs and chinchillas, which do not show membrane asymmetry and have fused ossicles, may relate more to the caviomorph group to which these animals belong than to the ears of small mammals in general.
To access this paper via the Hearing Research website, please click here.
Please contact me if you would like to be sent a reprint copy of this paper.