Neurophysical Research in Panamas 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.

08 March 2005