Neurophysical Research
in Panama’s Rainforest
Sounds emitted by field crickets and insect-eating
bats have been the focus of neurophysical research
conducted by Austrian researchers based in the Panama
rainforest.
Prof. Heinrich Römer and Dr. Alexander Lang from the
University of Graz, Department of Neurobiology, Austria
have used PowerLab to record the acoustically activated
neurons of crickets and the echo-localization activity
in bats, simultaneously on different channels.
Prof. Römer said that during the three years that
PowerLab has been used, it has reliably recorded the
vibration activity and sound level measurements in
crickets continuously throughout the day and night.
Prof. Römer said that PowerLab has proved to be robust,
unaffected by the temperature fluctuations and high
humidity levels experienced in Panama’s rainforest.
Prof. Heinrich Römer & Dr. Alexander Lang in Panama.
Screen capture shows bat echo-location sounds (Channel
1) and neuronal activity in three separate preparations
that were placed three meters apart. |