Abstract

(…) In this chapter, we discuss marine mammal audition, vision, chemoreception, tactile sensation, and magnetic detection. We begin with an overview of the basic aspects of sensory receptor systems, and then, for specific sensory systems, examine how water versus air affects the parameters and propagation of related signals and discuss how air-based receptors were adapted to function effectively in an aquatic environment. Different sensory systems and different marine mammal groups (sirenians, cetaceans, pinnipeds, fissipeds, ursids) are discussed in varying detail based on the extent of data available for each. (…)