Corticofugal modulation of frequency processing in bat auditory system

Article Abstract:

The inner ear transmits auditory signals through the brainstem to the brain's higher auditory regions. The moustached bat uses high-frequency sound to determine its orientation and for hunting and has a highly developed auditory system tuned to high frequencies for fine frequency analysis. A study of the bat's corticofugal system shows that it modulates neuronal activity to improve and sharpen the tuning of neurons at earlier phases in the auditory processing pathway.

Auditory cortex, Auditory pathways, Auditory pathway, Animal orientation, Echolocation (Physiology)

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Mauritian red nectar remains a mystery

Article Abstract:

Floral nectar usually lacks colouring agents, but some plant species in Mauritius produce red nectar. Nesocodon mauritianus was mass-propagated and its nectar was analyzed. The red pigment was identified as a temperature-sensitive aurone and the pH of the nectar was a high as 9.2, containing 22-25% w/w/ hexose-dominate sugar. Red nectar was also found in Trochetia blackburniana, but explanations for the production of red nectar remain unclear.

Botany, Plant anatomy, Nectar

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Nectar bat stows huge tongue in its rib cage

Article Abstract:

A nectar bat that could extend its tongue twice as far as those of related bats and is the sole pollinator of a plant with corolla tubes of matching length is described. The nectar bat Anoura fistulata was discovered in the cloud forests of the Andes of Ecuador and observation of pollen from Centropogon nigricans, which has corollas 8-9 cm long, was carried only by A. fistulata, confirm it as the only pollinator of this plant.

Ribs, Nectarivores

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