Academics

Aquatic environments often involve rapidly flowing, highly turbulent, or completely still water—often in combination. The animals living in these environments must successfully navigate to avoid obstacles, detect predators, and find prey—all key to their survival (Flammang & Lauder, 2013). Most aquatic animals do this through the use of specialized sensory systems: the lateral line and vision. 

The lateral line system (LLS) allows animals to detect hydrodynamic stimuli such as disturbances at the surface or within bodies of water (Mogdans, 2019). These stimuli are detected through superficial and canal neuromasts–the LLS’s receptor organs–distributed across the head and trunk (Webb, 2011). Neuromasts are small structures composed of sensory hair cells and supporting structures that send signals through afferent nerves to the central nervous system. These signals are then integrated, and complex behavioral responses are initiated (Mogdans, 2019). 

Read the full article here.