SENSORY BIOPHYSICS OF MARINE MAMMALS

TLDR

Marine mammals exhibit biophysical adaptations that align their sensory and communication systems with the transmission properties of seawater, with vision tuned to penetrating spectra, vocalizations optimized for broadband frequencies, and emerging studies exploring hydrodynamic, chemical, and magnetic sensitivities. The study outlines observational methods for sensory mechanisms and discusses additional biophysical aspects such as vibrissal sensation and fluid‑dynamic locomotion. Recorded species are catalogued and their vocalizations compared.

Abstract

A bstract The underwater existence of marine mammals has encouraged a variety of special biophysical adaptations to their environment. Their sensory and communication systems reflect the transmission properties of sea water. For example, vision is keen in spectra that penetrate water best, vocalization is broadband and used at the frequencies that appear to fit their activities best—the differences in sensory use match the intriguing variety of behavior observed for each species. To date most of the observations of animal interactions with their marine environment have dealt with sound. There has been some work on vision and studies are underway to determine animal sensitivities to hydrodynamic pressure, chemical traces and magnetic fields. The species that have been recorded to date are listed and vocalizations are generally compared. Methods for observation of sensory mechanisms are noted along with a discussion of other aspects of marine mammal biophysics including vibrissal sensation and the biophysics of movement in a fluid environment.