Field-based hearing measurements of two seabird species

ABSTRACT Hearing is a primary sensory modality for birds. For seabirds, auditory data is challenging to obtain and hearing data are limited. Here, we present methods to measure seabird hearing in the field, using two Alcid species: the common murre Uria aalge and the Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica. Tests were conducted in a portable semi-anechoic crate using physiological auditory evoked potential (AEP) methods. The crate and AEP system were easily transportable to northern Iceland field sites, where wild birds were caught, sedated, studied and released. The resulting data demonstrate the feasibility of a field-based application of an established neurophysiology method, acquiring high quality avian hearing data in a relatively quiet setting. Similar field methods could be applied to other seabirds, and other bird species, resulting in reliable hearing data from a large number of individuals with a modest field effort. The results will provide insights into the sound sensitivity of species facing acoustic habitat degradation. Summary: Field-based physiological hearing measurements of a puffin and murre show they hear like other birds. The method provides clear responses, reduced environmental noise and is transferrable to other avian taxa.

摘要：听觉是鸟类的一种主要感觉模式。对于海鸟来说，获取听觉数据具有挑战性，听力数据也很有限。在此，我们介绍了在野外测量海鸟听力的方法，使用了两种海雀科鸟类：厚嘴海鸦（Uria aalge）和大西洋海鹦（Fratercula arctica）。测试是在一个便携式半消声箱中使用生理听觉诱发电位（AEP）方法进行的。该箱子和AEP系统很容易被运到冰岛北部的野外地点，在那里野生鸟类被捕获、镇静、研究后再被放生。所得数据证明了一种已确立的神经生理学方法在野外应用的可行性，能在相对安静的环境中获取高质量的鸟类听力数据。类似的野外方法可应用于其他海鸟以及其他鸟类物种，通过适度的野外工作就能从大量个体中获得可靠的听力数据。这些结果将有助于深入了解面临声学栖息地退化的物种对声音的敏感性。总结：对海鹦和厚嘴海鸦基于野外的生理听力测量表明它们的听力与其他鸟类相似。该方法能提供清晰的反应，减少环境噪音，并且可应用于其他鸟类分类群。