Hearing
In mammals the cues for hearing are usually based on inter-aural intensity differences, which occur as a result of the diffraction of a progressive sound wave by the head and pinna. They could also be based on inter-aural time differences that are present because of the distance between their two ears. Moles have no pinna so they are thought to hear at low frequencies. In addition to this, their inner ear is unusual for that of a mammal due to the large trabeculation of the posterior ventral skull between the ears. The tympana of the ear lays almost horizontal and the manubrial tips are separated by a distance of 8 mm. The results of several studies confirms that there is good transmission through European mole’s head for a range of low frequencies. Because of this it is expected that there will be acoustic interaction at each tympanic membrane. The results of the study also suggest that the ears of this mole act as balanced, pressure-difference receivers. This system has never been suggested for a mammal in the past, but other reptiles, amphibia, birds, and crickets have been shown to have a direct air pathway between the tympana.
Read more about this topic: European Mole
Famous quotes containing the word hearing:
“I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child
than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Ah, Governor [Murphy, of New Jersey], don’t try to deceive me as to the sentiment of the dear people. I have been hearing from the West and the East, and the South seems to be the only section which approves of me at all, and that comes from merely a generous impulse, for even that section would deny me its votes.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“It was my thirtieth year to heaven
Woke to my hearing from harbor and neighbor wood”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)