1. The Evolution of Electroreception: An Historical Overview
Bruce A. Carlson and Joseph A. Sisneros
This chapter will provide an historical introduction to the field that focuses on evolutionary diversity. This will include a description of phylogenetic diversity that helps orient readers to the various taxonomic groups that have electroreception. It will also address phenotypic diversity, including differences between tuberous and ampullary electrosensory systems, and the wide variety of tuberous electrosensory systems, and how these differences are adapted to behavioral function.
2. Comparative Genomics Approaches to the Evolution and Development of Electroreceptors
Clare V. Baker
This chapter will review recent advances in our understanding of the evolution and development of electroreceptors. Developmental genetics studies in cartilaginous and bony fishes have confirmed the homology of ampullary electroreceptors in non-teleost jawed vertebrates, and their embryonic origins from lateral line placodes. This review will focus on these important recent discoveries and on remaining questions regarding the evolutionary and developmental origins of teleostean ampullary and tuberous electroreceptors.
3. Comparative Genomics Approaches to the Evolution and Development of Electric Organs
Graciela A. Unguez, Jason R. Gallant, and Harold H. Zakon
This chapter will address the fundamental question of what constitutes a true electric organ, and how to distinguish true electric organs from possible intermediate stages in their evolution from muscle. The focus of this chapter will then be to review recent developments in our understanding of the evolutionary and embryological origins of electric organs. Comparative genetics and genomics studies have revealed the molecular basis for the evolution of electric organs across multiple clades, with implications for better understanding electric organ development.
4. Biophysical Basis of Electric Signal Diversity
Michael R. Markham
This chapter will address the morphological and physiological basis for the generation of electric organ discharges (EODs). The focus will be on specializations in electrocyte morphology and physiology, and how these generate specific features of the EOD waveform. A comparative perspective will relate species differences in morphology and physiology to EOD diversity.
5. Evolutionary Drivers of Electric Signal Diversity
Rüdiger Krahe
This chapter will focus on ecological genetics and the ultimate evolutionary causes of EOD diversification in gymnotiforms and mormyroids, including ecological adaptation, sexual selection, and predation. In addition, this chapter will address the role of electric signaling in species diversification.
6. Sensory Adaptations to Active Sensing and Communication
Eric S. Fortune
This chapter will focus on general principles related to the anatomy and physiology of different tuberous electrosensory systems, and how they are adapted to their particular functions. This overview will highlight shared, independently evolved features of tuberous electrosensory systems that point to fundamental mechanisms, as well as the tremendous diversity of tuberous electrosensory systems and how this reflects adaptations to different functions.
7. Evolution of Time-Coding in Electrosensory and Auditory Systems
Bruce A. Carlson
The focus of this chapter will be on common themes in temporal coding across sensory systems, as well as key differences. It will address both sub-millisecond timing comparisons (intera
About the Author: Bruce A. Carlson is Professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Joseph A. Sisneros is Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington, Seattle
Arthur N. Popper is Professor Emeritus and research professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park
Richard R. Fay is Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at Loyola
