Abstract:
The mechanosensory lateral line is found in all fish and some amphibia and responds to hydrodynamic stimuli such as water movement and vibration. Biological behavior is all about mating, feeding, and moving about safely in between times, and hydrodynamic information encoded by the lateral line can play a critical role in all these behaviors. Examples include mating communication; detection of prey through the water vibrations, surface waves, or hydrodynamic trails; and orientation to water currents. Even though the lateral line is restricted to fish and amphibia, analogous vibration senses conferring similar behavioral capability also occur in reptiles, birds, and mammals.