Coding Conspecific Identity and Motion in the Electric Sense

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002564
• Publication Date: 2012-07-13T20:36:56Z
• Authors: Na Yu; Ginette Hupé; Charles Garfinkle; John E. Lewis; André Longtin
• Keywords: Electric fish; Neural coding; Beat (acoustics); Stimulus (psychology); Electroreception; Electric organ

Interactions among animals can result in complex sensory signals containing a variety of socially relevant information, including the number, identity, and relative motion conspecifics. How spatiotemporal properties such evolving naturalistic are encoded is key question neuroscience. Here, we present results from experiments modeling that address this issue context electric sense, which combines spatial aspects vision touch, with temporal audition. Wave-type fish, as brown ghost knifefish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus, used study, uniquely identified by frequency their organ discharge (EOD). Multiple beat frequencies arise superposition EODs each fish. We record natural electrical near skin “receiving” fish produced stationary freely swimming Using spectral analysis, find primary beats, secondary beats between them (“beats beats”), be greatly influenced swimming; resulting produces low-frequency envelopes broaden all peaks reshape “noise floor”. assess consequences on coding using model electroreceptor. show afferent spike train, but acts to degrade encoding. also simulate response realistic population receptors, it encode envelope well, primarily due receptors lower firing rates. discuss implications our for identification conspecifics through specific its possible hindrance active swimming.