1998/08/01 by Tom Reuter, Sirpa Nummela, Simo Hemilä · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Marine animal studies overview #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
paper · doi:10.1121/1.423341
openalex publication_date 1998/08/01 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/16
Elephants’ vocalizations and movements have recently been shown to produce seismic waves (Rayleigh waves). This may be relevant for the well-known long-distance communication of these animals. It is suggested here that elephants may sense ground vibrations as a result of bone conduction producing a differential vibration of the middle ear ossicles in relation to the skull. This hypothesis is supported by the exceptionally massive ossicles of the Indian and African elephants. The acoustics of bone conduction is reviewed and related to the anatomy of the elephant middle ear.