I am interested in several aspects of fish vocalization. One of my special interests is the integration of auditory signals and motor signals in the fish brain. How is the auditory system aware that a vocalization is about to occur? I am currently investigating the role of the so called vocal pre-pacemaker nucleus in the integration task. An other point of interest is the high synchronicity seen in the motor output of the vocal neurons. How this synchroniciy is achived is simply fascinating.

Midshipman fish and toadfish display a repertoire of different sounds used in agonistic and antagonistic context. Below you can listen to the sounds emitted by the fish and see the frequency spectra of the sounds.

Frequency spectrum and recording of a growl:

to listen to the sound click here

Frequency spectrum and recording of a hum:

to listen to the sound click here

Frequency spectrum and recording of a grunt train:

to listen to the sound click here