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Non-linear analysis of the transmission of signals in the auditory system of the migratory locust Locusta migratorta

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Abstract

Investigations on the auditory system of the migratory locust using the system theory (i.e. the white-noise method) to determine the transfer characteristics of single auditory neurons are presented for the first time. The transfer characteristics of receptor cells and ascending ventral-cord neurons are evaluated with respect to a special test signal (“modulation signal”). The test signal determines the temporal course of the actual sound pressure of the stimulus. The use of the white-noise method has the advantage of applying only one particular test signal instead of a very large number of stimuli with varying amplitude and duration. The computational burden is within a reasonable range. The receptor cells in general show a good linear and quadratic coupling between the test signal and their responses whereas the ascending ventral-cord neurons normally do not. The responses of the receptors in contrast to the central auditory neurons depend only on the difference between the actual threshold and the sound-pressure level of the stimulus and not on the carrier frequency of the stimulus signal.

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  1. Fachbereich Biologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany

    Martin Sippel & Joachim Breckow

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  1. Martin Sippel
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  2. Joachim Breckow
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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgenmeinschaft as part of the program “Codierungsleistung der Insektenhörbahn” Ka 498/3-1

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Sippel, M., Breckow, J. Non-linear analysis of the transmission of signals in the auditory system of the migratory locust Locusta migratorta . Biol. Cybern. 46, 197–205 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336801

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336801

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