The anatomy, physiology, functional significance and evolution of specialized hearing organs of gerbilline rodents.

Middle and inner ear anatomy correlates with neurophysiological responses to a wide range of sound frequencies for species of the Gerbillinae representing generalized, intermediate, and specialized anatomical conditions. Neurophysiological data were recorded from 81 specimens of 13 species representing six genera. Anatomical parameters involved in the process of hearing were correlated with the neurophysiological data to assess the effects of different degrees of anatomical specialization on hearing. The 13 species tested in this manner have graphic curves of auditory sensitivity of remarkably similar disposition over the frequencies tested and to those published for Kangaroo Rats. Ears with anatomical specializations show greater auditory