Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2023
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Richard Carter
Committee Members
Scott Pedersen, Peter Newman, Thomas Jones, Steven Wallace
Abstract
The hyoid apparatus in laryngeally echolocating bats forms a mechanical connection between the larynx and auditory bullae and has been hypothesized to transfer the outgoing echolocation call to the middle ear during echolocation call emission. We used µCT data to build models of the hyoid apparatus and middle ear from six species of bats and used finite element modeling (FEM) to measure the vibroacoustic response of the tympanic membrane due to hyoid-borne sound generated during echolocation. We found that hyoid-borne sound in all six species stimulated the eardrum within a range likely heard by bats. Although there were minor differences at frequencies above 60kHz, there were no obvious morphological explanations to account for it. This suggests that variation in the morphology of the hyoid apparatus in laryngeally echolocating bats is likely driven by other functions associated with the hyoid.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Snipes, Chelsie, "Vibroacoustic Response of the Tympanic Membrane to Hyoid-borne Sound Generated During Echolocation in Bats" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4212. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4212
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.