Frequency Representation in the Auditory Midbrain and Forebrain of a Marsupial, the Northern Native Cat (Dasyurus hallucatus)

Abstract

The representation of sound frequency was examined in the auditory cortex and inferior colliculus of anaesthetized marsupial native cats (Dasyurus hallucatus) using microelectrode mapping techniques. The tonotopic organizations of these two auditory regions are grossly similar to those described in brush-tailed possums and in Eutheria. There appears to exist a biased representation of high frequencies (> 10kHz) in native cats and a paucity of frequencies below 1 kHz. Unit threshold audiograms indicate minimum thresholds between 7 and 12kHz and high thresholds above 30kHz.