Barn owls specialized sound-driven behavior: Lessons in optimal processing and coding by the auditory system

Hear Res. 2024 Jan 15;443:108952. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.108952. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe barn owl, a nocturnal raptor with remarkably efficient prey-capturing abilities, has been one of the initial animal models used for research of brain mechanisms underlying sound localization. Some seminal findings made from their specialized sound localizing auditory system include discoveries of a midbrain map of auditory space, mechanisms towards spatial cue detection underlying sound-driven orienting behavior, and circuit level changes supporting development and experience-dependent plasticity. These findings have explained properties of vital hearing functions and inspired theories in spatial hearing that extend across diverse animal species, thereby cementing the barn owl's legacy as a powerful experimental system for elucidating fundamental brain mechanisms. This concise review will provide an overview of the insights from which the barn owl model system has exemplified the strength of investigating diversity and similarity of brain mechanisms across species. First, we discuss some of the key findings in the specialized system of the barn owl that elucidated brain mechanisms toward detection of auditory cues for spatial hearing. Then we examine how the barn owl has validated mathematical computations and theories underlying optimal hearing across species. And lastly, we conclude with how the barn owl has advanced investigations toward developmental and experience depen...

Source: Hearing Research - January 19, 2024 Category: Audiology Authors: Andrea Bae Jose L Pe ña Source Type: research