First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing

BackgroundCrocodiles are semi-aquatic animals well adapted to hear both on land and under water. Currently, there is limited information on how their amphibious hearing is accomplished. Here, we describe, for the first time, the ear anatomy in the living crocodile using photon-counting detector comp...

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Main Authors: Karl-Gunnar Melkersson, Hao Li, Helge Rask-Andersen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2024.1471983/full
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author Karl-Gunnar Melkersson
Hao Li
Helge Rask-Andersen
author_facet Karl-Gunnar Melkersson
Hao Li
Helge Rask-Andersen
author_sort Karl-Gunnar Melkersson
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCrocodiles are semi-aquatic animals well adapted to hear both on land and under water. Currently, there is limited information on how their amphibious hearing is accomplished. Here, we describe, for the first time, the ear anatomy in the living crocodile using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) and 3D rendering. We speculate on how crocodiles, despite their closed ear canals, can use tympanic hearing in water that also provides directional hearing.Material and MethodsA Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) underwent photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT), under anesthesia and spontaneous respiration. In addition two seven-month-old C. rhombifer and a juvenile Morelet´s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) underwent micro-computed tomography (µCT) and endoscopy. One adult Cuviérs dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) was micro-dissected and video-recorded. Aeration, earflap, and middle ear morphology were evaluated and compared after 3D modeling.Results and DiscussionPCD-CT and µCT with 3D rendering and segmentation demonstrated the anatomy of the external and middle ears with high resolution in both living and expired crocodiles. Based on the findings and comparative examinations, we suggest that the superior earflap, by modulating the meatal recess together with local bone conduction, may implement tympanic hearing in submerged crocodiles, including directional hearing.
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spelling doaj-art-4f773b1cfa0844f79dedeca60ae32fbe2025-08-20T02:10:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2024-10-011210.3389/fcell.2024.14719831471983First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearingKarl-Gunnar Melkersson0Hao Li1Helge Rask-Andersen2Curator of Reptiles, Kolmårdens Tropicarium AB, Kolmården, SwedenDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenBackgroundCrocodiles are semi-aquatic animals well adapted to hear both on land and under water. Currently, there is limited information on how their amphibious hearing is accomplished. Here, we describe, for the first time, the ear anatomy in the living crocodile using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) and 3D rendering. We speculate on how crocodiles, despite their closed ear canals, can use tympanic hearing in water that also provides directional hearing.Material and MethodsA Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) underwent photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT), under anesthesia and spontaneous respiration. In addition two seven-month-old C. rhombifer and a juvenile Morelet´s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) underwent micro-computed tomography (µCT) and endoscopy. One adult Cuviérs dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) was micro-dissected and video-recorded. Aeration, earflap, and middle ear morphology were evaluated and compared after 3D modeling.Results and DiscussionPCD-CT and µCT with 3D rendering and segmentation demonstrated the anatomy of the external and middle ears with high resolution in both living and expired crocodiles. Based on the findings and comparative examinations, we suggest that the superior earflap, by modulating the meatal recess together with local bone conduction, may implement tympanic hearing in submerged crocodiles, including directional hearing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2024.1471983/fullphoton-counting computed tomographyμCTcrocodileshearingunderwater
spellingShingle Karl-Gunnar Melkersson
Hao Li
Helge Rask-Andersen
First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
photon-counting computed tomography
μCT
crocodiles
hearing
underwater
title First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
title_full First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
title_fullStr First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
title_full_unstemmed First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
title_short First photon-counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile: a 3D-Imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
title_sort first photon counting detector computed tomography in the living crocodile a 3d imaging study with special reference to amphibious hearing
topic photon-counting computed tomography
μCT
crocodiles
hearing
underwater
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2024.1471983/full
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