Lizard ears are clear examples of two-input pressure-difference receivers, with up to 40-dB differences in eardrum vibration
amplitude in response to ipsi- and contralateral stimulus directions. The directionality is created by acoustical coupling
of the eardrums and interaction of the direct and indirect sound components on the eardrum. The ensuing pressure-difference
characteristics generate the highest directionality of any similar-sized terrestrial vertebrate ear. The aim of the present
study was to measure the gain of the direct and indirect sound components in three lizard species:
Anolis sagrei and
Basiliscus vittatus (iguanids) and
Hemidactylus frenatus (gekkonid) by laser vibrometry, using either free-field sound or a headphone and coupler for stimulation. The directivity
of the ear of these lizards is pronounced in the frequency range from 2 to 5 kHz. The directivity is ovoidal, asymmetrical
across the midline, but largely symmetrical across the interaural axis (i.e., front–back). Occlusion of the contralateral
ear abolishes the directionality. We stimulated the two eardrums with a coupler close to the eardrum to measure the gain of
the sound pathways. Within the frequency range of maximal directionality, the interaural transmission gain (compared to sound
arriving directly) is close to or even exceeds unity, indicating a pronounced acoustical transparency of the lizard head and
resonances in the interaural cavities. Our results show that the directionality of the lizard ear is caused by the acoustic
interaction of the two eardrums. The results can be largely explained by a simple acoustical model based on an electrical
analog circuit.
Keywords lizard - tympanum - vibrometry - directional - hearing - reptile